LaxPower Back-Up Stick

nyjay wrote: ↑Wed Sep 16, 2020 10:03 am US Lax Mag has the Jays at 15 in their way ahead of preseason rankings. Here's their blurb, none of which is unfair.

Maybe a new voice will immediately revitalize Hopkins, which found itself overwhelmed against high-end competition before the season was halted. The Blue Jays’ first new coach in two decades is Peter Milliman, who did fine work at Cornell but is tasked with energizing a team that frankly was subpar at just about everything other than faceoffs (17th nationally) and man-up offense (33rd) in 2020. Milliman inherits an excellent offensive centerpiece in Joey Epstein, who dealt with injuries last year after a brilliant freshman season. There are a lot of places Hopkins needs to get better, but the defensive end again was a glaring issue. Little wonder Milliman’s early moves on the transfer wire addressed that end of the field. The addition of long pole Jared Fernandez (Syracuse) and goalie Josh Kirson (Ohio State) figure to make the Blue Jays more competitive, but it’s probably premature to expect an instant return to contending for Memorial Day weekend trips.

Seems pretty fair to me. Given what occurred in the abbreviated 2020 season we clearly don't warrant a preseason top 10, but I think outside the top 20 would be an overcorrection given the presumably healthy return of Joey Epstein (among other things, like the incoming transfers, the promising freshman class, and the new staff who have been responsible for lots of very recent success on both sides of the ball). Anywhere between like 12-18 is defensible IMO.

IF there is a season, I am very, very curious to see how freshmen across the country do having not finished their senior years of high school and now not getting a real fall ball program. Might be unwise to expect much of an impact from them in 2021, though sometimes talent wins out.

I also think it's very fair but maybe there should have been some qualifications Yes the defense was and has been awful for a while but the pieces will also be a lot different. New goalie, new #1 LSM, 5* recruit, apparent promising transfer at close - maybe it won't be any better but a) it might be better b) can't be worse. In addition - losing 3 defensive players - 2 starters and 1 promising talent (Foley, Rapine, Blondell) under very conspicuous circumstances had to distract the team and particularly the defensive unit. As always, alot rides on the 2-3 kids who are picked on regardless - the SSDMs - can they improve is the biggest question mark IMO defensively as the talent at the 6 ft pole position is probably there to be reasonably effective.

Offensively, the hope for optimism lies in a) healthy Epstein b) new schemes that likely will not resemble anything of the past 12-13 years c) lots of young talent
The reason for pessimism is the lack of true proven mid-fielders. Attackmen Hopkins has - remember even DeSimone is a true x attackman - but can Junior get the mid-field in some semblance of order where they are not close to dead dog last in production (last full season - starters accounted for 26,26,17 pts)

jhu06 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 15, 2020 9:32 am the IL website says Princeton only has 25 mens team members for next spring potentially. That's like the number of syracuse attackmen and number of academic learning specialists at college park to help their leisure studies majors with their academics.

Are we also assuming that if Hopkins lacrosse is allowed to happen there will be no fans and no band in the stands, will the kids have to travel w/extra vehicles to games for more space?

I heard from someone connected to the program that the Princeton Women's team has only 13 on the roster and all 3 of their goalies took a year off. With the Ivies not given that 5th year - many have decided to just sit out a year.

51percentcorn wrote: ↑Wed Sep 16, 2020 11:20 am I also think it's very fair but maybe there should have been some qualifications Yes the defense was and has been awful for a while but the pieces will also be a lot different. New goalie, new #1 LSM, 5* recruit, apparent promising transfer at close - maybe it won't be any better but a) it might be better b) can't be worse. In addition - losing 3 defensive players - 2 starters and 1 promising talent (Foley, Rapine, Blondell) under very conspicuous circumstances had to distract the team and particularly the defensive unit. As always, alot rides on the 2-3 kids who are picked on regardless - the SSDMs - can they improve is the biggest question mark IMO defensively as the talent at the 6 ft pole position is probably there to be reasonably effective.

Offensively, the hope for optimism lies in a) healthy Epstein b) new schemes that likely will not resemble anything of the past 12-13 years c) lots of young talent
The reason for pessimism is the lack of true proven mid-fielders. Attackmen Hopkins has - remember even DeSimone is a true x attackman - but can Junior get the mid-field in some semblance of order where they are not close to dead dog last in production (last full season - starters accounted for 26,26,17 pts)

I thought the star system isn't very good at rating talent?

On the back end of the field it'll depend on the scheme and talent working well together. Cornell was 18th in 2018, 48th in 2019 and 51st in the abbreviated 2020 season. PM took over 5/2018 though I realize you're likely counting on the assistant from UMBC to be driving that.

Agree with 51 corn assessment. D cant be worst .Rapine and Foley are in PLL nm. The d and goaltending transfers along with new DC should help lift. How far is the question.

Given current trajectory, it's pretty likely that we're looking at '22 season before any of our speculations are actually relevant.

Between now and then, likely to be lots more roster re-jiggering.

MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 16, 2020 3:17 pm Given current trajectory, it's pretty likely that we're looking at '22 season before any of our speculations are actually relevant.

Between now and then, likely to be lots more roster re-jiggering.

If the rest of the b1g/acc are a go for the spring and this program is not, Rabils drunken podcast shade is going to look like powderpuff football compared to the shitstorm that will be thrown at the administration. Actually it would be hilarious and I'm all here for it.

jhu06 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 16, 2020 3:56 pm

MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 16, 2020 3:17 pm Given current trajectory, it's pretty likely that we're looking at '22 season before any of our speculations are actually relevant.

Between now and then, likely to be lots more roster re-jiggering.

If the rest of the b1g/acc are a go for the spring and this program is not, Rabils drunken podcast shade is going to look like powderpuff football compared to the shitstorm that will be thrown at the administration. Actually it would be hilarious and I'm all here for it.

It would indeed be a hullabaloo.
I'm just not sanguine about what's going to be happening through the winter months, though hope I'm wrong.

HopFan16 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 15, 2020 10:15 am I don't think you can field a competitive lacrosse team with 20-25 players on the roster. That's how many guys usually get into a game. That essentially means there are no bench players/backups. One or two injuries and you literally may not be able to fill a position. IF there is a season, and if Princeton players remain on leave for the year, I don't see how they play at all in 2021. Seems more like those guys are betting there won't be a season and trying to get ahead of the curve. I've heard players from a few other Ivy League schools are considering doing something similar. It's clear that if there's a season in the spring, it'll need to have an asterisk attached to it.

Bite your tongue. There is only one season with an asterisk and we know who they are, what they did, and where their secrets are buried.

BTW, the, *THE* B1G revenue sport, football, has announced today that they have reversed course and WILL play football this fall.

They are looking at an 8 game season starting in October.

So.... maybe there will be lacrosse. Maybe not fall ball, but I would say the odds for in the spring just ticked up a bit.

Whether it is a smart thing to do is another question.

W

"Emily Giambalvo @EmilyGiam A Maryland spokesman clarified that the conference will be paying for tests. But because of how Big Ten revenue trickles down to the schools, a cost at the conference level would presumably also lead to schools receiving a smaller distribution.

Emily Giambalvo @EmilyGiam Maryland AD Damon Evans just said that the school will be paying for coronavirus testing. He estimated that it would cost each institution around $700,000 - $1 million."

This is in reference to maryland football only. Obviously the program including support staff is probably 2.5 times the size of mens lacrosse but this provides an idea of how much this will cost to play.

Dom’s four finalists are Cuse, Denver, Penn State and UNC.

You beat me to it - just pressed send on the below:

Unsurprisingly, the Jays aren't among Dom Petro's final four. Per Chris Jast on twitter, the list is SU, UNC, PSU and Denver, with PSU and UNC in the lead at the moment. I'd guess PSU, given the connections.

I know it doesn't matter, etc., etc., and I remain optimistic about the future of the program, but hard to watch these commitments (mostly) from the sidelines.

And, not to delve into the politics of COVID, but if college kids aren't back on campus for the spring, I may just jump off a bridge due to the absurdity of the entire situation. And thereafter, won't worry so about about our lack of commits.

Hoponboard wrote: ↑Wed Sep 16, 2020 9:59 pm Dom’s four finalists are Cuse, Denver, Penn State and UNC.

If I were handicapping, I say PSU, Denver, UNC, Syracuse.

Penn State seems to be the favorite. Wish him the best except when he's playing dad's alma mater.

As a Terp fan I'd prefer Denver; but I anticipate it'll be Penn State as well. Think everyone can agree no one wants him at Cuse after yesterday.

If he was really angry about what happened to his dad, he'd choose Cuse, right?

nyjay wrote: ↑Wed Sep 16, 2020 10:17 pm If he was really angry about what happened to his dad, he'd choose Cuse, right?

I don't really think so. There are still tons of people in the Hopkins lacrosse community who love and respect his dad and had nothing to do with why he's no longer coaching at Homewood. All his former players, coaches, teammates, and their families. The kid is obviously free to do whatever he wants but choosing Cuse might ruffle some relationships, no? The Hop admin couldn't care less where Petro's kid commits. But some people who actually matter to him might.

Anyway, I highly doubt an important college recruiting decision would be decided by an attack of vengeance. If he picks Cuse, which I still think is unlikely, it'd be for other reasons.

Penn State makes a lot of sense based on everything I've heard.

HopFan16 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 16, 2020 10:08 pm Penn State seems to be the favorite. Wish him the best except when he's playing dad's alma mater.

A friend's son has played with him. I am rooting for him. I like him.

Don't be so literal 16, I was only joking (well, mostly joking).