Georgetown 2023

[rolldodge]

IMO the offense needs to be running through Bundy and Minicus. Dordevic isn't an inherently selfish player, but he's just not very good at keeping his head up and anticipating double teams. It led to a number of situations where he would draw a quick double team but not get the ball away before the second man was on him, and then he would have to run away from the pressure. It didn't cost Georgetown possessions, but it killed the flow and meant the Hoyas would have to start their attack from square one again. He really should be more of a secondary dodger rather than the party starter.

I agree. I think they should be setting Doredvic up for a step down shot or a secondary dodge from the wing.

Last year, a lot of the offense was initiated by Trippi. He would dodge and draw attention, then if he wasn’t able to get the shots himself, would bang the ball to Haley at X, who is adept at finding the next look for a shot. Often, this would be Bundy or Watson for a step down. If they are going to keep Haley in there, they have to find a way to get him into a similar role. I could see Minicus or Kelly or Salomon filling the Trippi role.

But that was a Phipps offense. Hogan might come up with another concept. So far, that concept is not clear.

Putting in a new offense with 3 guys who are used to the old one and incorporating grad transfers and 3 freshmen is a heavy lift, especially with a strong early schedule.

Also, I’d be more sympathetic if it was clear what they are trying to do, but it just wasn’t working optimally yet. But it’s not clear what they are trying to do on offense.

[chuckbuckthecanuck]

Let me preface by stating that it is early in the season and Georgetown is full of talent. I presume that they will right the ship and win the Big East again. ND and Loyola and maybe Princeton should be tough but there is a lot of talent on this team and could easily win 9-10 games.

That being said, I asked you Hoya boosters previously if the addition of so many “free agents” would affect the cohesion of the team, disincentivize the players already on the team and send a message to recruits that spots are always open for several transfers each year and that Warne encourages them.

Specialty players such as goalies, face off specialists seem too be the easiest to mesh into a team. An attack man or a defenseman can mesh in the system but there are a lot of fifth year players on offense this year who played in different offensive systems as undergrads. Let’s see how the Hoyas do against ND’s usually tough team defense.

[rolldodge]

That being said, I asked you Hoya boosters previously if the addition of so many “free agents” would affect the cohesion of the team, disincentivize the players already on the team and send a message to recruits that spots are always open for several transfers each year and that Warne encourages them.

It's the combination of factors:

The number of incoming transfers, the expectations of those transfers, and the new offensive coordinator that makes things particularly tough to integrate. Last year the transfers were "diamonds in the rough". Morin started early on in his career at ND but was a bench player his senior year. Trippi ran on the second midfield at UNC. Its easier to give those guys a chance to show their stuff and to have them play specific roles within the offense. Dordevic, Minicus, Kelly, & Salomon all were starters at their previous schools and not used to being role players. Now throw in the experienced guys who are adjusting to a new offense at the same time...

On the other hand, when the players start to understand what their roles need to be within this offense, the upside is potentially much greater. Factor that in with "homegrown" guys like Carroll, Crogan, and Wray getting time early and I think you have a nice balance of transfers and recruits in the mix. The bet is that this team will be stronger and deeper come tournament time than Hoyas teams of the past. Now, the risk is being able to make the tournament. With their at-large schedule opportunities so early in the season, they may be looking at having to win the Big East if they can't get things gelling fast. Its a calculated risk that the team has clearly taken this year (No fall scrimmages, Bundy sitting out the fall, Reilly not taking faceoffs in the fall). They are betting on late season performance this year. Its risky, but if it goes according to plan, the team could be formidable come late April and May. I think its the mindset of a team thats no longer satisfied with just making the tournament and wants to take the next step -- which you have to applaud. Just have to avoid a Notre Dame 2022 situation and win the Big East, which is far from a given.

[HGK]

This start feels a little Duke like. Now granted that didn’t work for Duke last year but maybe pain early to get it right in May is a legitimate scenario. The Hoyas have a lot of new players and a new O coordinator. Assuming they can win the BE to guarantee a tournament spot, they may be much better at that point than now. Obviously the goal was to win the needed OOC to get a bid regardless of BE automatic but Warne clearly realizes he needs more than 18 guys to go deep in May. If he has to take a step back now to have a team built to go deep in May so be it. The clear question is whether that will manifest or if this group has trouble gelling and despite the talent can’t turn that into a team based winning formula. ND and Princeton up next will be big tests for an 0-2 team trying to find it’s identity.

[rolldodge]

Do we think we'll see any big shakeups in the lineup going forward?

From Week 1 to Week 2, Carroll moved to 1st midfield. On defense with Godine back, I don't recall seeing Haus or Reeves at D Mid.

[HGK]

Looking at the YTD statistics, and i have watched the games so think it is correct, Haley has zero assists and zero goals as well as zero shots. This is an elite feeder, not a create for yourself scorer. You either find a way to get him involved in feeding or Hoyas are playing 5 on 6 offense. I’d hope they find a way to get him involved because 8 assists on 19 goals as a team is not going to get the team where they want to be down the road.

[Comeonman]

Consider playing Dordevic at middie like he was at Cuse until last year. Bundy, McDermott, Dordevic as first line. Rivals that of Dordevic, Curry, Trimboli from 2021. This would allow Haley to come alive and do what he did so well in the past, with Minicus and Kelly/Solomon supporting down low.

[HGK]

100% agree.

[10stone5]

I like that strategy

[xxxxxxx]

That being said, I asked you Hoya boosters previously if the addition of so many “free agents” would affect the cohesion of the team, disincentivize the players already on the team and send a message to recruits that spots are always open for several transfers each year and that Warne encourages them.

It's the combination of factors:

The number of incoming transfers, the expectations of those transfers, and the new offensive coordinator that makes things particularly tough to integrate. Last year the transfers were "diamonds in the rough". Morin started early on in his career at ND but was a bench player his senior year. Trippi ran on the second midfield at UNC. Its easier to give those guys a chance to show their stuff and to have them play specific roles within the offense. Dordevic, Minicus, Kelly, & Salomon all were starters at their previous schools and not used to being role players. Now throw in the experienced guys who are adjusting to a new offense at the same time...

On the other hand, when the players start to understand what their roles need to be within this offense, the upside is potentially much greater. Factor that in with "homegrown" guys like Carroll, Crogan, and Wray getting time early and I think you have a nice balance of transfers and recruits in the mix. The bet is that this team will be stronger and deeper come tournament time than Hoyas teams of the past. Now, the risk is being able to make the tournament. With their at-large schedule opportunities so early in the season, they may be looking at having to win the Big East if they can't get things gelling fast. Its a calculated risk that the team has clearly taken this year (No fall scrimmages, Bundy sitting out the fall, Reilly not taking faceoffs in the fall). They are betting on late season performance this year. Its risky, but if it goes according to plan, the team could be formidable come late April and May. I think its the mindset of a team thats no longer satisfied with just making the tournament and wants to take the next step -- which you have to applaud. Just have to avoid a Notre Dame 2022 situation and win the Big East, which is far from a given.

I applaud the aggressive schedule but with ND and Princeton next they could go 0-4 to start, which makes an at-large bid very difficult. They definitely have the talent but these Transfer U locker rooms can be very tricky to navigate, ask Duke. Lots of guys who were recruited get passed over, there must be several juniors and seniors who feel they never had a chance. It happens in other places too, but the Hoyas are at the top of the list as Covid year transfer destinations .

[10stone5]

They’ll have to at least pull off one of those two tough following
games,
then, little margin for error the rest of the schedule,
looking way ahead, beating Loyola seems like a priority,

course, they could always just win the Big East tournament,
but I’d think an annual goal these days is to also get an NCAA
tournament seeding.

[rolldodge]

Consider playing Dordevic at middie like he was at Cuse until last year. Bundy, McDermott, Dordevic as first line. Rivals that of Dordevic, Curry, Trimboli from 2021. This would allow Haley to come alive and do what he did so well in the past, with Minicus and Kelly/Solomon supporting down low.

I think this is definitely worth trying out. Minicus has shown he has the ability to break down a defense. And Kelly and/or Solomon are both very versatile and could be better at getting open inside.

[rolldodge]

Consider playing Dordevic at middie like he was at Cuse until last year. Bundy, McDermott, Dordevic as first line. Rivals that of Dordevic, Curry, Trimboli from 2021. This would allow Haley to come alive and do what he did so well in the past, with Minicus and Kelly/Solomon supporting down low.

I could even see a first line of Bundy / Dordevic / Solomon. Use Solomon as an initiator against a short stick from the midfield ala Trippi from last year. Plus, you either short stick Bundy or Dordevic or else you have to bump up a close defenseman, opening up the crease area.

[random observer]

Consider playing Dordevic at middie like he was at Cuse until last year. Bundy, McDermott, Dordevic as first line. Rivals that of Dordevic, Curry, Trimboli from 2021. This would allow Haley to come alive and do what he did so well in the past, with Minicus and Kelly/Solomon supporting down low.

I could even see a first line of Bundy / Dordevic / Solomon. Use Solomon as an initiator against a short stick from the midfield ala Trippi from last year. Plus, you either short stick Bundy or Dordevic or else you have to bump up a close defenseman, opening up the crease area.

I'm not sure Solomon or Kelly have shown they can beat a short stick. If it's about balancing out the lines this makes sense, but if you want to stack a line to beat short sticks, would rather McDermott, Carroll, or Crogan get that third spot.

[rolldodge]

Consider playing Dordevic at middie like he was at Cuse until last year. Bundy, McDermott, Dordevic as first line. Rivals that of Dordevic, Curry, Trimboli from 2021. This would allow Haley to come alive and do what he did so well in the past, with Minicus and Kelly/Solomon supporting down low.

.

I could even see a first line of Bundy / Dordevic / Solomon. Use Solomon as an initiator against a short stick from the midfield ala Trippi from last year. Plus, you either short stick Bundy or Dordevic or else you have to bump up a close defenseman, opening up the crease area.

I'm not sure Solomon or Kelly have shown they can beat a short stick. If it's about balancing out the lines this makes sense, but if you want to stack a line to beat short sticks, would rather McDermott, Carroll, or Crogan get that third spot.

I’m thinking of someone who can initiate from the midfield wing, potentially to beat their man but mostly to find the next open person for a shot or a hockey assist. McDermott is a north/south dodger and would not be ideal for this role. Crogan and Carroll maybe too inexperienced to play a quarterback type position

If you watch how they used Trippi last year, this is what I’m thinking.

[random observer]

Consider playing Dordevic at middie like he was at Cuse until last year. Bundy, McDermott, Dordevic as first line. Rivals that of Dordevic, Curry, Trimboli from 2021. This would allow Haley to come alive and do what he did so well in the past, with Minicus and Kelly/Solomon supporting down low.

.

I could even see a first line of Bundy / Dordevic / Solomon. Use Solomon as an initiator against a short stick from the midfield ala Trippi from last year. Plus, you either short stick Bundy or Dordevic or else you have to bump up a close defenseman, opening up the crease area.

I'm not sure Solomon or Kelly have shown they can beat a short stick. If it's about balancing out the lines this makes sense, but if you want to stack a line to beat short sticks, would rather McDermott, Carroll, or Crogan get that third spot.

I’m thinking of someone who can initiate from the midfield wing, potentially to beat their man but mostly to find the next open person for a shot or a hockey assist. McDermott is a north/south dodger and would not be ideal for this role. Crogan and Carroll maybe too inexperienced to play a quarterback type position

If you watch how they used Trippi last year, this is what I’m thinking.

Trippi was a much more dynamic dodger than either of this year's UNC transfers. They don't have that in their game. The player most akin to Trippi in that sense is Minicus, but he may be the Hoyas' best attackman so putting him on the first midfield would be robbing Peter to play Paul.

[rolldodge]

Consider playing Dordevic at middie like he was at Cuse until last year. Bundy, McDermott, Dordevic as first line. Rivals that of Dordevic, Curry, Trimboli from 2021. This would allow Haley to come alive and do what he did so well in the past, with Minicus and Kelly/Solomon supporting down low.

.

I could even see a first line of Bundy / Dordevic / Solomon. Use Solomon as an initiator against a short stick from the midfield ala Trippi from last year. Plus, you either short stick Bundy or Dordevic or else you have to bump up a close defenseman, opening up the crease area.

I'm not sure Solomon or Kelly have shown they can beat a short stick. If it's about balancing out the lines this makes sense, but if you want to stack a line to beat short sticks, would rather McDermott, Carroll, or Crogan get that third spot.

I’m thinking of someone who can initiate from the midfield wing, potentially to beat their man but mostly to find the next open person for a shot or a hockey assist. McDermott is a north/south dodger and would not be ideal for this role. Crogan and Carroll maybe too inexperienced to play a quarterback type position

If you watch how they used Trippi last year, this is what I’m thinking.

Trippi was a much more dynamic dodger than either of this year's UNC transfers. They don't have that in their game. The player most akin to Trippi in that sense is Minicus, but he may be the Hoyas' best attackman so putting him on the first midfield would be robbing Peter to play Paul.

That makes sense. I can definitely see Minicus playing that role from the attack wing.

Midfield-wise, also thinking of how to complement Bundy and Dordevic best if they ran on the same midfield. Someone crafty who can play well off ball on the crease might be a good balance.

[HGK]

From an at large perspective you can’t overstate the meaning of this game for Georgetown. You have to at worst split with ND and Princeton, beat Loyola (no easy task) and hold serve vs Richmond, Lehigh and HPU. Away from that it is AQ or bust. Have to believe you see some tweaks Saturday but my gut is Warne feels this team will sort it out and any changes will be minimal. Should be a battle.

Let’s go Hoyas!

[wgdsr]

From an at large perspective you can’t overstate the meaning of this game for Georgetown. You have to at worst split with ND and Princeton, beat Loyola (no easy task) and hold serve vs Richmond, Lehigh and HPU. Away from that it is AQ or bust. Have to believe you see some tweaks Saturday but my gut is Warne feels this team will sort it out and any changes will be minimal. Should be a battle.

Let’s go Hoyas!

this is nuts. we're 2 games into the year. no one has any idea what it takes. one game at a time is a good idea here.

[rolldodge]

From an at large perspective you can’t overstate the meaning of this game for Georgetown. You have to at worst split with ND and Princeton, beat Loyola (no easy task) and hold serve vs Richmond, Lehigh and HPU. Away from that it is AQ or bust. Have to believe you see some tweaks Saturday but my gut is Warne feels this team will sort it out and any changes will be minimal. Should be a battle.

Let’s go Hoyas!

this is nuts. we're 2 games into the year. no one has any idea what it takes. one game at a time is a good idea here.

“One game at a time” of course. But we’ve all been watching this long enough to know how it works. It’s far from an exact science, but the paths to the postseason are pretty clear. “No one know what it takes” would be more of an illogical take.