LaxPower Back-Up Stick

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:16 am

Gobigred wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:12 am

nms wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 7:54 am

FannOLax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 7:40 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Sun May 22, 2022 7:19 pm So much ACC hate after 1 down year haha. I think ACC will be okay, especially with the incoming recruits UVA, Cuse, and UNC have coming in. Think it is way to broad of a generalization to say all teams in a conference plays a certain style.

It's a backlash against the strident hyping done by certain ESPN announcers and their double standards. Yes, this was a down year for the ACC, not a permanent shift.

Also frustration that the lax mafia will ALWAYS "know" that no matter what happens on the field, the traditional southern powerhouses (and now Syracuse and ND, now that they are ACC) are the best. This attitude is as strong now as it was before the national championship was settled on the field, and undefeated Cornell was picked as the fourth best team in the final vote. I know someone can supply the accurate quote, but Richie Moran, after winning the NC on the field, said something like 'maybe we will make the top 3 in the vote.'

That was 1971. Lacrosse's so-called cognoscenti back then were saying "the real championship game is the Maryland-Navy semifinal." Actual outcome? As the title of Christian Swezey's book says, We Showed Baltimore. Deja vu.

According to the Sports Illustrated article, Richie said: "Do you think they'll rank us as high as third?"

So basically this all boils down to Ivy League feeling like they’ve been slighted in the past. I don’t really understand the conference comradely. I root for my team not my conference.

Gobigred wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:35 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:16 am

Gobigred wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:12 am

nms wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 7:54 am

FannOLax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 7:40 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Sun May 22, 2022 7:19 pm So much ACC hate after 1 down year haha. I think ACC will be okay, especially with the incoming recruits UVA, Cuse, and UNC have coming in. Think it is way to broad of a generalization to say all teams in a conference plays a certain style.

It's a backlash against the strident hyping done by certain ESPN announcers and their double standards. Yes, this was a down year for the ACC, not a permanent shift.

Also frustration that the lax mafia will ALWAYS "know" that no matter what happens on the field, the traditional southern powerhouses (and now Syracuse and ND, now that they are ACC) are the best. This attitude is as strong now as it was before the national championship was settled on the field, and undefeated Cornell was picked as the fourth best team in the final vote. I know someone can supply the accurate quote, but Richie Moran, after winning the NC on the field, said something like 'maybe we will make the top 3 in the vote.'

That was 1971. Lacrosse's so-called cognoscenti back then were saying "the real championship game is the Maryland-Navy semifinal." Actual outcome? As the title of Christian Swezey's book says, We Showed Baltimore. Deja vu.

According to the Sports Illustrated article, Richie said: "Do you think they'll rank us as high as third?"

So basically this all boils down to Ivy League feeling like they’ve been slighted in the past. I don’t really understand the conference comradely. I root for my team not my conference.

Not so much that. It reflects the historical "Baltimore" bias that only Hopkins, Maryland, Navy or Virginia could possibly be worthy of being voted national champion back in the USILA era. That thinking now seems to have morphed to include the ACC plus Maryland and, until recently, Hopkins, as the "legitimate" contenders.

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:47 am

Gobigred wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:35 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:16 am

Gobigred wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:12 am

nms wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 7:54 am

FannOLax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 7:40 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Sun May 22, 2022 7:19 pm So much ACC hate after 1 down year haha. I think ACC will be okay, especially with the incoming recruits UVA, Cuse, and UNC have coming in. Think it is way to broad of a generalization to say all teams in a conference plays a certain style.

It's a backlash against the strident hyping done by certain ESPN announcers and their double standards. Yes, this was a down year for the ACC, not a permanent shift.

Also frustration that the lax mafia will ALWAYS "know" that no matter what happens on the field, the traditional southern powerhouses (and now Syracuse and ND, now that they are ACC) are the best. This attitude is as strong now as it was before the national championship was settled on the field, and undefeated Cornell was picked as the fourth best team in the final vote. I know someone can supply the accurate quote, but Richie Moran, after winning the NC on the field, said something like 'maybe we will make the top 3 in the vote.'

That was 1971. Lacrosse's so-called cognoscenti back then were saying "the real championship game is the Maryland-Navy semifinal." Actual outcome? As the title of Christian Swezey's book says, We Showed Baltimore. Deja vu.

According to the Sports Illustrated article, Richie said: "Do you think they'll rank us as high as third?"

So basically this all boils down to Ivy League feeling like they’ve been slighted in the past. I don’t really understand the conference comradely. I root for my team not my conference.

Not so much that. It reflects the historical "Baltimore" bias that only Hopkins, Maryland, Navy or Virginia could possibly be worthy of being voted national champion back in the USILA era. That thinking now seems to have morphed to include the ACC plus Maryland and, until recently, Hopkins, as the "legitimate" contenders.

Funny you left out the factual part of my argument about ACC having 14 NCAA chips compared to Ivies over last 20 years

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:47 am

Gobigred wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:35 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:16 am

Gobigred wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:12 am

nms wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 7:54 am

FannOLax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 7:40 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Sun May 22, 2022 7:19 pm So much ACC hate after 1 down year haha. I think ACC will be okay, especially with the incoming recruits UVA, Cuse, and UNC have coming in. Think it is way to broad of a generalization to say all teams in a conference plays a certain style.

It's a backlash against the strident hyping done by certain ESPN announcers and their double standards. Yes, this was a down year for the ACC, not a permanent shift.

Also frustration that the lax mafia will ALWAYS "know" that no matter what happens on the field, the traditional southern powerhouses (and now Syracuse and ND, now that they are ACC) are the best. This attitude is as strong now as it was before the national championship was settled on the field, and undefeated Cornell was picked as the fourth best team in the final vote. I know someone can supply the accurate quote, but Richie Moran, after winning the NC on the field, said something like 'maybe we will make the top 3 in the vote.'

That was 1971. Lacrosse's so-called cognoscenti back then were saying "the real championship game is the Maryland-Navy semifinal." Actual outcome? As the title of Christian Swezey's book says, We Showed Baltimore. Deja vu.

According to the Sports Illustrated article, Richie said: "Do you think they'll rank us as high as third?"

So basically this all boils down to Ivy League feeling like they’ve been slighted in the past. I don’t really understand the conference comradely. I root for my team not my conference.

Not so much that. It reflects the historical "Baltimore" bias that only Hopkins, Maryland, Navy or Virginia could possibly be worthy of being voted national champion back in the USILA era. That thinking now seems to have morphed to include the ACC plus Maryland and, until recently, Hopkins, as the "legitimate" contenders.

Funny you left out the factual part of my argument about ACC having 14 NCAA chips compared to Ivies over last 20 years

DMac wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 9:25 am Ridiculous argument 'dixon', and it is about the last 20 years or why bring up the 14 chips?
Fact of the matter is the ACC has been a mighty tough and powerful conference for quite
a number of years. Good year for the "haters" to knock 'em as it was a tough year for the
ACC but only a fool would count 'em out. Yup, as time goes on and more and more talented
players are spread across different conferences the landscape will change, but the ACC is far
from dead, that you can bet on.

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:47 am

Gobigred wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:35 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:16 am

Gobigred wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:12 am

nms wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 7:54 am

FannOLax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 7:40 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Sun May 22, 2022 7:19 pm So much ACC hate after 1 down year haha. I think ACC will be okay, especially with the incoming recruits UVA, Cuse, and UNC have coming in. Think it is way to broad of a generalization to say all teams in a conference plays a certain style.

It's a backlash against the strident hyping done by certain ESPN announcers and their double standards. Yes, this was a down year for the ACC, not a permanent shift.

Also frustration that the lax mafia will ALWAYS "know" that no matter what happens on the field, the traditional southern powerhouses (and now Syracuse and ND, now that they are ACC) are the best. This attitude is as strong now as it was before the national championship was settled on the field, and undefeated Cornell was picked as the fourth best team in the final vote. I know someone can supply the accurate quote, but Richie Moran, after winning the NC on the field, said something like 'maybe we will make the top 3 in the vote.'

That was 1971. Lacrosse's so-called cognoscenti back then were saying "the real championship game is the Maryland-Navy semifinal." Actual outcome? As the title of Christian Swezey's book says, We Showed Baltimore. Deja vu.

According to the Sports Illustrated article, Richie said: "Do you think they'll rank us as high as third?"

So basically this all boils down to Ivy League feeling like they’ve been slighted in the past. I don’t really understand the conference comradely. I root for my team not my conference.

Not so much that. It reflects the historical "Baltimore" bias that only Hopkins, Maryland, Navy or Virginia could possibly be worthy of being voted national champion back in the USILA era. That thinking now seems to have morphed to include the ACC plus Maryland and, until recently, Hopkins, as the "legitimate" contenders.

Funny you left out the factual part of my argument about ACC having 14 NCAA chips compared to Ivies over last 20 years

DMac wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 9:25 am Good year for the "haters" to knock 'em as it was a tough year for the
ACC but only a fool would count 'em out.

Typical Lax Dad wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 9:31 am Anyone that thinks the ACC is dead isn’t being realistic.

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:47 am

Gobigred wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:35 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:16 am

Gobigred wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:12 am

nms wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 7:54 am

FannOLax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 7:40 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Sun May 22, 2022 7:19 pm So much ACC hate after 1 down year haha. I think ACC will be okay, especially with the incoming recruits UVA, Cuse, and UNC have coming in. Think it is way to broad of a generalization to say all teams in a conference plays a certain style.

It's a backlash against the strident hyping done by certain ESPN announcers and their double standards. Yes, this was a down year for the ACC, not a permanent shift.

Also frustration that the lax mafia will ALWAYS "know" that no matter what happens on the field, the traditional southern powerhouses (and now Syracuse and ND, now that they are ACC) are the best. This attitude is as strong now as it was before the national championship was settled on the field, and undefeated Cornell was picked as the fourth best team in the final vote. I know someone can supply the accurate quote, but Richie Moran, after winning the NC on the field, said something like 'maybe we will make the top 3 in the vote.'

That was 1971. Lacrosse's so-called cognoscenti back then were saying "the real championship game is the Maryland-Navy semifinal." Actual outcome? As the title of Christian Swezey's book says, We Showed Baltimore. Deja vu.

According to the Sports Illustrated article, Richie said: "Do you think they'll rank us as high as third?"

So basically this all boils down to Ivy League feeling like they’ve been slighted in the past. I don’t really understand the conference comradely. I root for my team not my conference.

Not so much that. It reflects the historical "Baltimore" bias that only Hopkins, Maryland, Navy or Virginia could possibly be worthy of being voted national champion back in the USILA era. That thinking now seems to have morphed to include the ACC plus Maryland and, until recently, Hopkins, as the "legitimate" contenders.

Funny you left out the factual part of my argument about ACC having 14 NCAA chips compared to Ivies over last 20 years

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:47 am

Gobigred wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:35 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:16 am

Gobigred wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:12 am

nms wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 7:54 am

FannOLax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 7:40 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Sun May 22, 2022 7:19 pm So much ACC hate after 1 down year haha. I think ACC will be okay, especially with the incoming recruits UVA, Cuse, and UNC have coming in. Think it is way to broad of a generalization to say all teams in a conference plays a certain style.

It's a backlash against the strident hyping done by certain ESPN announcers and their double standards. Yes, this was a down year for the ACC, not a permanent shift.

Also frustration that the lax mafia will ALWAYS "know" that no matter what happens on the field, the traditional southern powerhouses (and now Syracuse and ND, now that they are ACC) are the best. This attitude is as strong now as it was before the national championship was settled on the field, and undefeated Cornell was picked as the fourth best team in the final vote. I know someone can supply the accurate quote, but Richie Moran, after winning the NC on the field, said something like 'maybe we will make the top 3 in the vote.'

That was 1971. Lacrosse's so-called cognoscenti back then were saying "the real championship game is the Maryland-Navy semifinal." Actual outcome? As the title of Christian Swezey's book says, We Showed Baltimore. Deja vu.

According to the Sports Illustrated article, Richie said: "Do you think they'll rank us as high as third?"

So basically this all boils down to Ivy League feeling like they’ve been slighted in the past. I don’t really understand the conference comradely. I root for my team not my conference.

Not so much that. It reflects the historical "Baltimore" bias that only Hopkins, Maryland, Navy or Virginia could possibly be worthy of being voted national champion back in the USILA era. That thinking now seems to have morphed to include the ACC plus Maryland and, until recently, Hopkins, as the "legitimate" contenders.

Funny you left out the factual part of my argument about ACC having 14 NCAA chips compared to Ivies over last 20 years

Chousnake wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 10:04 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:47 am

Gobigred wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:35 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:16 am

Gobigred wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:12 am

nms wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 7:54 am

FannOLax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 7:40 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Sun May 22, 2022 7:19 pm So much ACC hate after 1 down year haha. I think ACC will be okay, especially with the incoming recruits UVA, Cuse, and UNC have coming in. Think it is way to broad of a generalization to say all teams in a conference plays a certain style.

It's a backlash against the strident hyping done by certain ESPN announcers and their double standards. Yes, this was a down year for the ACC, not a permanent shift.

Also frustration that the lax mafia will ALWAYS "know" that no matter what happens on the field, the traditional southern powerhouses (and now Syracuse and ND, now that they are ACC) are the best. This attitude is as strong now as it was before the national championship was settled on the field, and undefeated Cornell was picked as the fourth best team in the final vote. I know someone can supply the accurate quote, but Richie Moran, after winning the NC on the field, said something like 'maybe we will make the top 3 in the vote.'

That was 1971. Lacrosse's so-called cognoscenti back then were saying "the real championship game is the Maryland-Navy semifinal." Actual outcome? As the title of Christian Swezey's book says, We Showed Baltimore. Deja vu.

According to the Sports Illustrated article, Richie said: "Do you think they'll rank us as high as third?"

So basically this all boils down to Ivy League feeling like they’ve been slighted in the past. I don’t really understand the conference comradely. I root for my team not my conference.

Not so much that. It reflects the historical "Baltimore" bias that only Hopkins, Maryland, Navy or Virginia could possibly be worthy of being voted national champion back in the USILA era. That thinking now seems to have morphed to include the ACC plus Maryland and, until recently, Hopkins, as the "legitimate" contenders.

Funny you left out the factual part of my argument about ACC having 14 NCAA chips compared to Ivies over last 20 years

Also funny how you went back 20 years to leave out Princeton's dominance of the 90s. If you go back 30 years and actually put teams in the conference they played in when they won the titles it tells a different story:

ACC - 10 titles
Big East - 8 titles
Ivy - 7 titles
Independent - 2 titles
Big 10 - 1 title
Other - 1 title

10stone5 wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 10:09 am

Chousnake wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 10:04 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:47 am

Gobigred wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:35 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:16 am

Gobigred wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 8:12 am

nms wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 7:54 am

FannOLax wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 7:40 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Sun May 22, 2022 7:19 pm So much ACC hate after 1 down year haha. I think ACC will be okay, especially with the incoming recruits UVA, Cuse, and UNC have coming in. Think it is way to broad of a generalization to say all teams in a conference plays a certain style.

It's a backlash against the strident hyping done by certain ESPN announcers and their double standards. Yes, this was a down year for the ACC, not a permanent shift.

Also frustration that the lax mafia will ALWAYS "know" that no matter what happens on the field, the traditional southern powerhouses (and now Syracuse and ND, now that they are ACC) are the best. This attitude is as strong now as it was before the national championship was settled on the field, and undefeated Cornell was picked as the fourth best team in the final vote. I know someone can supply the accurate quote, but Richie Moran, after winning the NC on the field, said something like 'maybe we will make the top 3 in the vote.'

That was 1971. Lacrosse's so-called cognoscenti back then were saying "the real championship game is the Maryland-Navy semifinal." Actual outcome? As the title of Christian Swezey's book says, We Showed Baltimore. Deja vu.

According to the Sports Illustrated article, Richie said: "Do you think they'll rank us as high as third?"

So basically this all boils down to Ivy League feeling like they’ve been slighted in the past. I don’t really understand the conference comradely. I root for my team not my conference.

Not so much that. It reflects the historical "Baltimore" bias that only Hopkins, Maryland, Navy or Virginia could possibly be worthy of being voted national champion back in the USILA era. That thinking now seems to have morphed to include the ACC plus Maryland and, until recently, Hopkins, as the "legitimate" contenders.

Funny you left out the factual part of my argument about ACC having 14 NCAA chips compared to Ivies over last 20 years

Also funny how you went back 20 years to leave out Princeton's dominance of the 90s. If you go back 30 years and actually put teams in the conference they played in when they won the titles it tells a different story:

ACC - 10 titles
Big East - 8 titles
Ivy - 7 titles
Independent - 2 titles
Big 10 - 1 title
Patriot - 1 title

Oh Noes,

poor Loyola is an ‘Other’

where’s PB ?

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Sun May 22, 2022 7:19 pm So much ACC hate after 1 down year haha. I think ACC will be okay, especially with the incoming recruits UVA, Cuse, and UNC have coming in. Think it is way to broad of a generalization to say all teams in a conference plays a certain style.

stupefied wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 10:31 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Sun May 22, 2022 7:19 pm So much ACC hate after 1 down year haha. I think ACC will be okay, especially with the incoming recruits UVA, Cuse, and UNC have coming in. Think it is way to broad of a generalization to say all teams in a conference plays a certain style.

Congrats to Maryland for blowing out the third best team in ACC . Duke and ND would likely be facing each other for third time in FF if on other side of Maryland bracket . Duke wouldn't have beat Duke but a physical Irish team that had hit its stride would have given Maryland a game again, Princeton last hope as Rutgers and Cornell are several notches below Maryland

stupefied wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 10:31 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Sun May 22, 2022 7:19 pm So much ACC hate after 1 down year haha. I think ACC will be okay, especially with the incoming recruits UVA, Cuse, and UNC have coming in. Think it is way to broad of a generalization to say all teams in a conference plays a certain style.

Congrats to Maryland for blowing out the third best team in ACC . Duke and ND would likely be facing each other for third time in FF if on other side of Maryland bracket . Duke wouldn't have beat Duke but a physical Irish team that had hit its stride would have given Maryland a game again, Princeton last hope as Rutgers and Cornell are several notches below Maryland

stupefied wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 10:31 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Sun May 22, 2022 7:19 pm So much ACC hate after 1 down year haha. I think ACC will be okay, especially with the incoming recruits UVA, Cuse, and UNC have coming in. Think it is way to broad of a generalization to say all teams in a conference plays a certain style.

Congrats to Maryland for blowing out the third best team in ACC . Duke and ND would likely be facing each other for third time in FF if on other side of Maryland bracket . Duke wouldn't have beat Duke but a physical Irish team that had hit its stride would have given Maryland a game again, Princeton last hope as Rutgers and Cornell are several notches below Maryland

stupefied wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 10:31 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Sun May 22, 2022 7:19 pm So much ACC hate after 1 down year haha. I think ACC will be okay, especially with the incoming recruits UVA, Cuse, and UNC have coming in. Think it is way to broad of a generalization to say all teams in a conference plays a certain style.

Congrats to Maryland for blowing out the third best team in ACC . Duke and ND would likely be facing each other for third time in FF if on other side of Maryland bracket . Duke wouldn't have beat Duke but a physical Irish team that had hit its stride would have given Maryland a game again, Princeton last hope as Rutgers and Cornell are several notches below Maryland

jrn19 wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 10:49 am

stupefied wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 10:31 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Sun May 22, 2022 7:19 pm So much ACC hate after 1 down year haha. I think ACC will be okay, especially with the incoming recruits UVA, Cuse, and UNC have coming in. Think it is way to broad of a generalization to say all teams in a conference plays a certain style.

Congrats to Maryland for blowing out the third best team in ACC . Duke and ND would likely be facing each other for third time in FF if on other side of Maryland bracket . Duke wouldn't have beat Duke but a physical Irish team that had hit its stride would have given Maryland a game again, Princeton last hope as Rutgers and Cornell are several notches below Maryland

So now that they got blown out by MD (again), UVA is the 3rd best team in the ACC? Even though they beat ND and went 5-1 in the league? Whereas Duke went 3-3 and lost to an atrocious Cuse team? And ND lost to all the good teams they played this year?

There’s always an excuse. Just win your games

stupefied wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 11:10 am

jrn19 wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 10:49 am

stupefied wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 10:31 am

masondixonlax wrote: ↑Sun May 22, 2022 7:19 pm So much ACC hate after 1 down year haha. I think ACC will be okay, especially with the incoming recruits UVA, Cuse, and UNC have coming in. Think it is way to broad of a generalization to say all teams in a conference plays a certain style.

Congrats to Maryland for blowing out the third best team in ACC . Duke and ND would likely be facing each other for third time in FF if on other side of Maryland bracket . Duke wouldn't have beat Duke but a physical Irish team that had hit its stride would have given Maryland a game again, Princeton last hope as Rutgers and Cornell are several notches below Maryland

So now that they got blown out by MD (again), UVA is the 3rd best team in the ACC? Even though they beat ND and went 5-1 in the league? Whereas Duke went 3-3 and lost to an atrocious Cuse team? And ND lost to all the good teams they played this year?

There’s always an excuse. Just win your games

Ah Jake , been saying for several weeks that UVA was third best acc team . Same state as Duke last year and UNC this year , spotty play unworthy of lofty status despite fanciful record .

Did you not watch Duke totally dismantle UVA in the same fashion that Maryland did ?. ND and Duke were two very strong teams at season end . Ill leave the asterisk off upcoming Maryland's title because they are a superb team that very likely would win against anyone but any honest observer will admit that ND was screwed and a Maryland ND rematch would have been a most competitive game .