Yes, I wouldn't be surprised at all if O'Neill finishes strong and wins it.Hoxwurth wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2023 4:05 pmMy cutoff is arbitrary. Lacrosse has about 70 D1 teams. A top-20 team in lacrosse is not the same as other sports, and I used the basketball comparison to make that point. I respect your use of a different cutoff.MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2023 3:52 pm Fair re 2023, however I was responding to this statement:
Until he faces some top-5 teams, however, he's not deserving. That's like being POY in basketball without facing a top-25 team. If you prefer another metric, we can use the top 10%. Adler hasn't played against a team in the top 10% of D1 programs.
First, I think the metric you're setting is pretty silly on its face, but accepting it, it's clear that this time last year he did play against several such qualifying teams, against their best players, and was very, very good against those caliber of players. And has played the very best players on multiple top 20 teams this year and dominated them.
But I agree that the award is for performance this year, yes...including how everyone does in the tournament. Cornell is in the tournament. Adler may or may not have the opportunity to face multiple such teams and players this year, but if he does and dominates, he won't be eligible.
But multiple attack men will be eligible, who are not close to being the best players at their position...in 2023...who remain eligible, but the best defender is not...
Again, if the description of the award is changed to best offensive player, no argument at all.
I think defenders should get more consideration for these awards. O'Neill's metrics are great, but I have him up top due to the eye test. That same test could be used to justify including defenders.
Without the number, you can spot him from a distance. He looks every bit the part of an NFL player.
If I had to make the call right now, he or Kirst would be my choice. Close, IMO.
But what happens in the tourney will probably be determinative and if I had to bet on it, Duke gets further this year.
I'll be rooting for Cornell if they earn a chance to match up with Duke but my bet now would be Duke wins.
On top 20 or top 10, it's pretty clear that there are guys on many of the top 20 teams who, if they were at one of the top 5 schools might well be a starter. You'd have to find them a role to play, and it wouldn't surprise me if they crushed it ala McConvey at UVA this year.
So, when a defender shuts down each such guy he faces, it says a lot. But I'm 100% in agreement that it needs to also include one or more shutdowns of the indisputably top attackmen on the best teams....which may only have a chance to happen in the tournament.
The example of the Hopkins defender shutting down Lyle Thompson was a good example of a player who should at least be in that final 5 consideration...IMO.
But hey I'm a defensively minded guy, so am probably biased!