Tewaaraton Award 2024

[Ox77]

Put Brandau’s production/overall numbers, % of team points and game impact on Kav, O’Neill, Kirst or Shelly and we aren’t even having this conversation… it’d be a lock.

He’s carrying a team into the top 10. It’s not his fault that Yale’s D is bottom 50.

[GaitsRightHand]

Lyons and Johnson being out is a blessing in disguise for Brandau's point production. He's having to carry the load, again. Getting back to his 2022 numbers, rather than his 2023 numbers. Last year he had 70 points, while Lyons had 74 (most on team). This year, he's making a strong case to be a Tewaaraton finalist.

68 points (29 G's and 39 A's) in 10 games. 6.8 PPG. Mainly playing Top 20 teams.

I really like watching their offense. If Yale's defense can figure it out as the seasons ends, they could do something in the tourney. They have all the pieces.

[CU88a]

Brandau heads and shoulders above

Men's Lacrosse
DI

POINTS PER GAME

Last updated Monday, April 08, 2024 10:51 am - Through games Sunday, April 07, 2024
1 Matt Brandau Yale Sr. ATT 9 26 31 57 6.33
2 Sam King Harvard Jr. ATT 10 28 32 60 6.00
3 TJ Malone Penn St. Sr. ATT 9 23 26 49 5.44
4 Louis Perfetto Boston U. Sr. ATT 10 29 25 54 5.40
5 Joey Spallina Syracuse So. ATT 13 28 42 70 5.38
6 Dalton Young Richmond Sr. ATT 11 28 30 58 5.27
7 Brayden Mayea High Point Sr. ATT 11 38 19 57 5.18
8 Nick Dupuis Stony Brook Sr. ATT 11 15 40 55 5.00
- Luke Rusterucci VMI Jr. ATT 11 30 25 55 5.00
- Michael Long Cornell Sr. ATT 10 23 27 50 5.00
11 Jack Vanoverbeke High Point Sr. ATT 10 17 32 49 4.90
12 Pat Kavanagh Notre Dame Sr. ATT 8 13 26 39 4.88
13 Connor Shellenberger Virginia Sr. ATT 11 20 33 53 4.82
14 Vince D'Alto Boston U. Sr. ATT 10 26 22 48 4.80
15 Chris Kavanagh Notre Dame Jr. ATT 8 21 17 38 4.75
16 Payton Cormier Virginia Sr. ATT 11 41 10 51 4.64
17 Ryan Donnery Quinnipiac Sr. M 10 22 24 46 4.60
- CJ Kirst Cornell Sr. ATT 10 34 12 46 4.60
19 Nick DeMaio Towson Sr. ATT 11 19 31 50 4.55
20 Brennan O'Neill Duke Sr. ATT 13 38 21 59 4.54

[joewillie78]

Brandau heads and shoulders above

Men's Lacrosse
DI

POINTS PER GAME

Last updated Monday, April 08, 2024 10:51 am - Through games Sunday, April 07, 2024
1 Matt Brandau Yale Sr. ATT 9 26 31 57 6.33
2 Sam King Harvard Jr. ATT 10 28 32 60 6.00
3 TJ Malone Penn St. Sr. ATT 9 23 26 49 5.44
4 Louis Perfetto Boston U. Sr. ATT 10 29 25 54 5.40
5 Joey Spallina Syracuse So. ATT 13 28 42 70 5.38
6 Dalton Young Richmond Sr. ATT 11 28 30 58 5.27
7 Brayden Mayea High Point Sr. ATT 11 38 19 57 5.18
8 Nick Dupuis Stony Brook Sr. ATT 11 15 40 55 5.00
- Luke Rusterucci VMI Jr. ATT 11 30 25 55 5.00
- Michael Long Cornell Sr. ATT 10 23 27 50 5.00
11 Jack Vanoverbeke High Point Sr. ATT 10 17 32 49 4.90
12 Pat Kavanagh Notre Dame Sr. ATT 8 13 26 39 4.88
13 Connor Shellenberger Virginia Sr. ATT 11 20 33 53 4.82
14 Vince D'Alto Boston U. Sr. ATT 10 26 22 48 4.80
15 Chris Kavanagh Notre Dame Jr. ATT 8 21 17 38 4.75
16 Payton Cormier Virginia Sr. ATT 11 41 10 51 4.64
17 Ryan Donnery Quinnipiac Sr. M 10 22 24 46 4.60
- CJ Kirst Cornell Sr. ATT 10 34 12 46 4.60
19 Nick DeMaio Towson Sr. ATT 11 19 31 50 4.55
20 Brennan O'Neill Duke Sr. ATT 13 38 21 59 4.54

And this doesn't include his monster game from last night!

Not bad for a guy who is almost retired. Lol.

Gobigred
Joewillie78

[PulpExposure]

Brandau undoubtedly belongs in the Tewaraaton finals. He's been a one man show, and he's so damn good.

But that's also a double edged sword. His numbers will be inflated because he's just asked to do more than Shellenberger or Kavanaugh, for example, because he has less surrounding talent right now. He's taken 20 more shots than Shellenberger, for example, and Shelly has played in one less game. Brandau's shooting percentage this year is actually lower than his career average; it's not efficient production, it's volume oriented.

Unquestionably makes his team better, and it's amazing they have a great offense considering he's not got Lyons and his 62 goals, or Leo and his 40 starting next to him.

But just throwing up numbers to definitely say he's better than X Y or Z because of these numbers is a bit disingenuous. There's some context there.

I got no dog in this fight, I don't care who wins it...just not O'Neill, who so far doesn't deserve it this year.

[Finster]

Is Brandau like 25 years old ?

Yes, and only 37 more years and he can apply for Social Security. Lucky guy.

Gobigred
Joewillie78

Also, I don't really care how old he is; he's playing by the rules, and seems like a really good kid. Also, it needs to be said, playing lacrosse at an Ivy brings with it a ton of challenges that most schools do not, frankly, have. There is zero chance his professors take it easy on him because he happens to know how to shoot a lacrosse ball; ironically, they probably make it even harder on lacrosse players.

[joewillie78]

Is Brandau like 25 years old ?

Yes, and only 37 more years and he can apply for Social Security. Lucky guy.

Gobigred
Joewillie78

Also, I don't really care how old he is; he's playing by the rules, and seems like a really good kid. Also, it needs to be said, playing lacrosse at an Ivy brings with it a ton of challenges that most schools do not, frankly, have. There is zero chance his professors take it easy on him because he happens to know how to shoot a lacrosse ball; ironically, they probably make it even harder on lacrosse players.

Fin,
My professors always gave me a break like:

"Sure JoeWillie, you can hand in that paper late, and I can Flunk you real early"

Gee thanks Doc.

Gobigred
Joewillie78

[Finster]

Brandau undoubtedly belongs in the Tewaraaton finals. He's been a one man show, and he's so damn good.

But that's also a double edged sword. His numbers will be inflated because he's just asked to do more than Shellenberger or Kavanaugh, for example, because he has less surrounding talent right now. He's taken 20 more shots than Shellenberger, for example, and Shelly has played in one less game. Brandau's shooting percentage this year is actually lower than his career average; it's not efficient production, it's volume oriented.

Unquestionably makes his team better, and it's amazing they have a great offense considering he's not got Lyons and his 62 goals, or Leo and his 40 starting next to him.

But just throwing up numbers to definitely say he's better than X Y or Z because of these numbers is a bit disingenuous. There's some context there.

I got no dog in this fight, I don't care who wins it...just not O'Neill, who so far doesn't deserve it this year.

I am with you on nearly all of this with the exception being that simply because he's asked to shoulder more of a load, that that immediately means he will get numbers that others don't. The fact is, Brandau is delivering.

Color me impressed.

I do believe that, in the end, this year's Tewey winner will likely need to get to at least the final 8, if not the semi's. Yale is no lock for either, obviously.

[Finster]

Is Brandau like 25 years old ?

Yes, and only 37 more years and he can apply for Social Security. Lucky guy.

Gobigred
Joewillie78

Also, I don't really care how old he is; he's playing by the rules, and seems like a really good kid. Also, it needs to be said, playing lacrosse at an Ivy brings with it a ton of challenges that most schools do not, frankly, have. There is zero chance his professors take it easy on him because he happens to know how to shoot a lacrosse ball; ironically, they probably make it even harder on lacrosse players.

Fin,
My professors always gave me a break like:

"Sure JoeWillie, you can hand in that paper late, and I can Flunk you real early"

Gee thanks Doc.

Gobigred
Joewillie78

[The Orfling]

Brandau heads and shoulders above

Men's Lacrosse
DI

POINTS PER GAME

Last updated Monday, April 08, 2024 10:51 am - Through games Sunday, April 07, 2024
1 Matt Brandau Yale Sr. ATT 10 29 42 68 6.8
2 Sam King Harvard Jr. ATT 10 28 32 60 6.00
3 TJ Malone Penn St. Sr. ATT 9 23 26 49 5.44
4 Louis Perfetto Boston U. Sr. ATT 10 29 25 54 5.40
5 Joey Spallina Syracuse So. ATT 13 28 42 70 5.38
6 Dalton Young Richmond Sr. ATT 11 28 30 58 5.27
7 Brayden Mayea High Point Sr. ATT 11 38 19 57 5.18
8 Nick Dupuis Stony Brook Sr. ATT 11 15 40 55 5.00
- Luke Rusterucci VMI Jr. ATT 11 30 25 55 5.00
- Michael Long Cornell Sr. ATT 10 23 27 50 5.00
11 Jack Vanoverbeke High Point Sr. ATT 10 17 32 49 4.90
12 Pat Kavanagh Notre Dame Sr. ATT 8 13 26 39 4.88
13 Connor Shellenberger Virginia Sr. ATT 11 20 33 53 4.82
14 Vince D'Alto Boston U. Sr. ATT 10 26 22 48 4.80
15 Chris Kavanagh Notre Dame Jr. ATT 8 21 17 38 4.75
16 Payton Cormier Virginia Sr. ATT 11 41 10 51 4.64
17 Ryan Donnery Quinnipiac Sr. M 10 22 24 46 4.60
- CJ Kirst Cornell Sr. ATT 10 34 12 46 4.60
19 Nick DeMaio Towson Sr. ATT 11 19 31 50 4.55
20 Brennan O'Neill Duke Sr. ATT 13 38 21 59 4.54

Updated to add in the Tuesday game: new totals 10 games, 68 points (29G, 42A), 6.8 points per game.

As noted upthread, I think it's mostly likely Shelley or Pat Kav wins, and both would be very worthy recipients; noting in P Kav's case that his outsized impact on the ride is something that's really important to Notre Dame and doesn't get captured in the offensive stats.

At the same time, I'm really enjoying seeing Brandau get this kind of recognition and appreciate that this particular discussion in this thread is so smart and nuanced (not to mention some strong entries in the humor game, A+ to Joewillie in that regard). Cheers.

[BetweenTheLines]

But that's also a double edged sword. His numbers will be inflated because he's just asked to do more than Shellenberger or Kavanaugh, for example, because he has less surrounding talent right now. He's taken 20 more shots than Shellenberger, for example, and Shelly has played in one less game. Brandau's shooting percentage this year is actually lower than his career average; it's not efficient production, it's volume oriented.

Right now, Brandau has a higher shooting percentage than Shellenberger, Kavanagh, ONeill, and Kirst, but you're penalizing him because he's shot better earlier in his career?

I don't think context changes the conversation much. He has more assists than goals, so he hasn't become a pure volume shooter because of the other guys' absence. The UNC freshmen? Those guys have been forced into volume shooting roles.

Last season, I took a beating for saying strength of schedule matters in the Tewaaraton discussion, but I still think it should be considered. Fortunately for Brandau, Yale has played 6 top 20 teams (as of today) and he's consistently put up numbers throughout.

[Finster]

But that's also a double edged sword. His numbers will be inflated because he's just asked to do more than Shellenberger or Kavanaugh, for example, because he has less surrounding talent right now. He's taken 20 more shots than Shellenberger, for example, and Shelly has played in one less game. Brandau's shooting percentage this year is actually lower than his career average; it's not efficient production, it's volume oriented.

Right now, Brandau has a higher shooting percentage than Shellenberger, Kavanagh, ONeill, and Kirst, but you're penalizing him because he's shot better earlier in his career?

I don't think context changes the conversation much. He has more assists than goals, so he hasn't become a pure volume shooter because of the other guys' absence. The UNC freshmen? Those guys have been forced into volume shooting roles.

Last season, I took a beating for saying strength of schedule matters in the Tewaaraton discussion, but I still think it should be considered. Fortunately for Brandau, Yale has played 6 top 20 teams (as of today) and he's consistently put up numbers throughout.

Yale's next three opponents are Dartmouth Hoftsra and Albany. Albany has their great LSM defender, but still I'd think Brandau could get even more increased #'s in this three-game swing. WHat can not happen is for Yale to lose to any of these teams...that could hurt Yale and Brandau.

[Denver14]

One question. People are saying Brandau, without his familiar other strong attack comrades gets more of the offense running throug his crosse. Hence inflated numbers. IMO makes little sense, as it also means that opposing defenses give him bonus attention. IMO, being the highest per game scorer in DI with that attention means he is having an epic season.

[Farfromgeneva]

One question. People are saying Brandau, without his familiar other strong attack comrades gets more of the offense running throug his crosse. Hence inflated numbers. IMO makes little sense, as it also means that opposing defenses give him bonus attention. IMO, being the highest per game scorer in DI with that attention means he is having an epic season.

Lyons Johnson and Sharpe been 55-60% of team pts last year and all went down.

They should replace their current S&C coach w Ben Reeves.

[Finster]

One question. People are saying Brandau, without his familiar other strong attack comrades gets more of the offense running throug his crosse. Hence inflated numbers. IMO makes little sense, as it also means that opposing defenses give him bonus attention. IMO, being the highest per game scorer in DI with that attention means he is having an epic season.

+1

I’m generally of the opinion that Shellenberger got hosed last year and deserved the Tewaaraton and not O’Neil, so I’ve been thinking the committee might make it up to him this year. And certainly, Shellenberger has played well enough to earn it this year. Plus his team is rolling.

That all said, right now I think it’s Brandau’s to lose.

[Farfromgeneva]

Is Brandau like 25 years old ?

Yes, and only 37 more years and he can apply for Social Security. Lucky guy.

Gobigred
Joewillie78

You think you’ll even get a chance to collect your final check? Man i need to drink some of that Cornell water.

[joewillie78]

Is Brandau like 25 years old ?

Yes, and only 37 more years and he can apply for Social Security. Lucky guy.

Gobigred
Joewillie78

You think you’ll even get a chance to collect your final check? Man i need to drink some of that Cornell water.

FFG ,

Everytime I check my account the 3rd Wednesday of each month and the payment is credited to my account, I celebrate with a couple Flower powers, as I always expect it to end anytime now.

Gobigred
Joewillie78

[Farfromgeneva]

Is Brandau like 25 years old ?

Yes, and only 37 more years and he can apply for Social Security. Lucky guy.

Gobigred
Joewillie78

You think you’ll even get a chance to collect your final check? Man i need to drink some of that Cornell water.

FFG ,

Everytime I check my account the 3rd Wednesday of each month and the payment is credited to my account, I celebrate with a couple Flower powers, as I always expect it to end anytime now.

Gobigred
Joewillie78

Good to mentally check out on it. Like found money. I’ve got 20yrs if I were to collect and assume it defiantly won’t be there.

I always liked the Ithaca Apricot beer and I hate fruity beers BTW.

[molo]

It’s not unusual for graduates of MIAA schools to have a little age on them when they enter college. The predates “reclassing.”

[blue angels]

One question. People are saying Brandau, without his familiar other strong attack comrades gets more of the offense running throug his crosse. Hence inflated numbers. IMO makes little sense, as it also means that opposing defenses give him bonus attention. IMO, being the highest per game scorer in DI with that attention means he is having an epic season.

+1

I’m generally of the opinion that Shellenberger got hosed last year and deserved the Tewaaraton and not O’Neil, so I’ve been thinking the committee might make it up to him this year. And certainly, Shellenberger has played well enough to earn it this year. Plus his team is rolling.

That all said, right now I think it’s Brandau’s to lose.

They interviewed Shellenberger recently and he said the Title is by far the most important thing left for him to accomplish. He will be satisfied, only, if that happens again.