GSP wrote: ↑Sun Mar 06, 2022 1:19 pm
Criticism of coaching, recruiting, players' size, offense, defense aside, what are the fan's expectations?
That's not a bad question - I wouldn't want to define it in absolute numerical terms - i.e. has to be 4 out of every 5 tournaments. I would like them to be competitive. I am disappointed in the last two games. When you looked at the schedule before the season - you would have almost certainly chalked up L's @G'town @UNC @ UVA. Would not have expected the goal differential to be on average 8 goals and that's with UNC and UVA clearly taking the foot off the gas. As someone pointed out LaSalla was 9 for 10 in FO's and then didn't take another. UVA could have been alot worse.
17-24 to date since the 2019 season.
1-2 vs Loyola
1-2 vs UNC
0-2 vs Syracuse
0-2 vs UVA
2-2 vs Rutgers
2-3 vs MD
0-3 vs Ohio State
6-16 against those 7 teams
That's below expectations IMO. I will admit - the progress I saw through last year in especially trying circumstances increased my expectations for this year. We'll see
Big Dog wrote: ↑Sun Mar 06, 2022 1:33 pm
Yes, all that is true, and that is my point. Several posters indicate that Milliman needs more time (years?) to recruit guys (plural?) for his system. Yet, a top 1/2 team that is loaded with talent can still recruit a top HS kid who is playing well in a starting role, regardless of the "stories". Why can't Milliman and his team recruit at least ONE guy -- offense or defense -- to contribute? 'Go to UVA and you might ride pine for a couple of years, choose The Hop and you can get major minutes right away.'
There are alot of issues. First and foremost - since you are still not likely to be taking your professional career exclusively in the lacrosse direction - you should choose the school for many reasons. Second, as has been discussed recently, I think Milliman has been rather busy since April of 2020 and recruiting has been affected. He didn't see his currrent players in person until 8 months after he took the job - had multiple decommits from the 21 class because of the coaching change - had no opportunity to see offseason talent or meet recruits from the 22 class. Third, as you just detailed this kid who might have ridden pine at UVA is now starting. We will see if Collison/Marquis etc are difference makers or not in the coming years.