Johns Hopkins 2023

[steel_hop]

In terms of the goalie - I respectfully disagree with Steel because of the rest of the team - while they didn't play well yesterday for some reason - they have certainly played pretty well for most of the season. I don't think you have to live with 37/39/40/35/41 in 5 of your last 7 games. ANd the other two games in that stretch were 54 and 50 and the 50 was against Ohio State which only put 16 shots on goal. So you might ask well then what about last year - why was Kirson allowed to stay - and that's a good point except I recently rattled off 7 of the 9 losses where a goalie wouldn't have made a bit of difference and his real clunkers were twice against Maryland and at Rutgers and at UVA - Champs and Semi-finalist and Quarter finalist. The lone clunker where it would have made a difference was Navy.

I have nothing but the greatest respect for Marcille - and clearly there is no height or weight requirements to play goalie - but everything else being equal - bigger is better - and shooters have a ton of open space to look at. When on the last or next to last UM goal where Brennan brushed aside the d-mid and no slide came - the amount of net he had to look at was astounding in slow motion. Tim apparently guessed low near side and then looked bad trying to deflect it with his shoulder as it went right over his head. Now I am not saying he shuld have saved that particular shot but I think it demionstrated some of the issues. Ultimately it's how the coaches read the room - if the team would take that as a betrayal and it would affect them - you have to play Marcille - if not either back-up would be worth a try in my opinion. They need better play from on job #1 for a goalie.

I''m generally of the view in the last part of this second paragraph. I'm not saying Marcille shouldn't be replaced (if someone is better than he should be) but it comes down to how everyone else would view it. If it would greatly shake up the team as it heads into the 1st round then he needs to stay. I'm saying he's done a lot for this team over the season and has earned some credit to remain particularly where we are in the season. If Hopkins is heading into the B1G regular season, then it probably makes sense to replace him. But, heading into the 1st round of the NCAAs - for a team that hasn't seen the playoffs since 2019 - that's a pretty big ask to think it won't upset the locker room.

[HopFan16]

In terms of the goalie - I respectfully disagree with Steel because of the rest of the team - while they didn't play well yesterday for some reason - they have certainly played pretty well for most of the season. I don't think you have to live with 37/39/40/35/41 in 5 of your last 7 games. ANd the other two games in that stretch were 54 and 50 and the 50 was against Ohio State which only put 16 shots on goal. So you might ask well then what about last year - why was Kirson allowed to stay - and that's a good point except I recently rattled off 7 of the 9 losses where a goalie wouldn't have made a bit of difference and his real clunkers were twice against Maryland and at Rutgers and at UVA - Champs and Semi-finalist and Quarter finalist. The lone clunker where it would have made a difference was Navy.

I have nothing but the greatest respect for Marcille - and clearly there is no height or weight requirements to play goalie - but everything else being equal - bigger is better - and shooters have a ton of open space to look at. When on the last or next to last UM goal where Brennan brushed aside the d-mid and no slide came - the amount of net he had to look at was astounding in slow motion. Tim apparently guessed low near side and then looked bad trying to deflect it with his shoulder as it went right over his head. Now I am not saying he shuld have saved that particular shot but I think it demionstrated some of the issues. Ultimately it's how the coaches read the room - if the team would take that as a betrayal and it would affect them - you have to play Marcille - if not either back-up would be worth a try in my opinion. They need better play from on job #1 for a goalie.

I''m generally of the view in the last part of this second paragraph. I'm not saying Marcille shouldn't be replaced (if someone is better than he should be) but it comes down to how everyone else would view it. If it would greatly shake up the team as it heads into the 1st round then he needs to stay. I'm saying he's done a lot for this team over the season and has earned some credit to remain particularly where we are in the season. If Hopkins is heading into the B1G regular season, then it probably makes sense to replace him. But, heading into the 1st round of the NCAAs - for a team that hasn't seen the playoffs since 2019 - that's a pretty big ask to think it won't upset the locker room.

Yeah you can't risk rocking the boat right now. His teammates love him. They play hard for/with him. He just has to start making some more stops if we're going to make a run. That simple. Otherwise — while it's nice to be back in the NCAAs after a few years hiatus, it'll be a quick exit.

Utah narrowly held on today to advance to the ASUN final. Helps us a tad. We're still lingering at #5 in the RPI with a top 5 win (Maryland), another top 10 win (Georgetown), and four other top 20 wins (Rutgers, Michigan, Utah, Syracuse). Cuse at #20 in the RPI is holding on as a quality win for us by a thread. Right now I struggle to envision a scenario where we are worse than the 7 seed. Ceiling is still the 5 seed depending on how the Ivy shakes out. 5 seed we'd probably avoid the ACC trio in the second round. 6 or 7 and we'd likely be playing a QF against Duke or ND.

[DocBarrister]

In terms of the goalie - I respectfully disagree with Steel because of the rest of the team - while they didn't play well yesterday for some reason - they have certainly played pretty well for most of the season. I don't think you have to live with 37/39/40/35/41 in 5 of your last 7 games. ANd the other two games in that stretch were 54 and 50 and the 50 was against Ohio State which only put 16 shots on goal. So you might ask well then what about last year - why was Kirson allowed to stay - and that's a good point except I recently rattled off 7 of the 9 losses where a goalie wouldn't have made a bit of difference and his real clunkers were twice against Maryland and at Rutgers and at UVA - Champs and Semi-finalist and Quarter finalist. The lone clunker where it would have made a difference was Navy.

I have nothing but the greatest respect for Marcille - and clearly there is no height or weight requirements to play goalie - but everything else being equal - bigger is better - and shooters have a ton of open space to look at. When on the last or next to last UM goal where Brennan brushed aside the d-mid and no slide came - the amount of net he had to look at was astounding in slow motion. Tim apparently guessed low near side and then looked bad trying to deflect it with his shoulder as it went right over his head. Now I am not saying he shuld have saved that particular shot but I think it demionstrated some of the issues. Ultimately it's how the coaches read the room - if the team would take that as a betrayal and it would affect them - you have to play Marcille - if not either back-up would be worth a try in my opinion. They need better play from on job #1 for a goalie.

I''m generally of the view in the last part of this second paragraph. I'm not saying Marcille shouldn't be replaced (if someone is better than he should be) but it comes down to how everyone else would view it. If it would greatly shake up the team as it heads into the 1st round then he needs to stay. I'm saying he's done a lot for this team over the season and has earned some credit to remain particularly where we are in the season. If Hopkins is heading into the B1G regular season, then it probably makes sense to replace him. But, heading into the 1st round of the NCAAs - for a team that hasn't seen the playoffs since 2019 - that's a pretty big ask to think it won't upset the locker room.

Yeah you can't risk rocking the boat right now. His teammates love him. They play hard for/with him. He just has to start making some more stops if we're going to make a run. That simple. Otherwise — while it's nice to be back in the NCAAs after a few years hiatus, it'll be a quick exit.

Utah narrowly held on today to advance to the ASUN final. Helps us a tad. We're still lingering at #5 in the RPI with a top 5 win (Maryland), another top 10 win (Georgetown), and four other top 20 wins (Rutgers, Michigan, Utah, Syracuse). Cuse at #20 in the RPI is holding on as a quality win for us by a thread. Right now I struggle to envision a scenario where we are worse than the 7 seed. Ceiling is still the 5 seed depending on how the Ivy shakes out. 5 seed we'd probably avoid the ACC trio in the second round. 6 or 7 and we'd likely be playing a QF against Duke or ND.

Whoever will help the team the most should start, and I think (hope) the coaches will take into account all the “intangibles” that may be implicated by the decision. I’m sure Marcille is well-liked, and I have only read good things about Versfeld and Caracciolo.

DocBarrister

[10stone5]

Too bad we’ll have to wait over a week to again watch
Matt “Bombs Away” Collison,
putting a beat down on three defenders at once,
plowing over short stick middies,
flinging overhand howitzers from difficult angles

[44WeWantMore]

In terms of the goalie - I respectfully disagree with Steel because of the rest of the team - while they didn't play well yesterday for some reason - they have certainly played pretty well for most of the season. I don't think you have to live with 37/39/40/35/41 in 5 of your last 7 games. ANd the other two games in that stretch were 54 and 50 and the 50 was against Ohio State which only put 16 shots on goal. So you might ask well then what about last year - why was Kirson allowed to stay - and that's a good point except I recently rattled off 7 of the 9 losses where a goalie wouldn't have made a bit of difference and his real clunkers were twice against Maryland and at Rutgers and at UVA - Champs and Semi-finalist and Quarter finalist. The lone clunker where it would have made a difference was Navy.

I have nothing but the greatest respect for Marcille - and clearly there is no height or weight requirements to play goalie - but everything else being equal - bigger is better - and shooters have a ton of open space to look at. When on the last or next to last UM goal where Brennan brushed aside the d-mid and no slide came - the amount of net he had to look at was astounding in slow motion. Tim apparently guessed low near side and then looked bad trying to deflect it with his shoulder as it went right over his head. Now I am not saying he shuld have saved that particular shot but I think it demionstrated some of the issues. Ultimately it's how the coaches read the room - if the team would take that as a betrayal and it would affect them - you have to play Marcille - if not either back-up would be worth a try in my opinion. They need better play from on job #1 for a goalie.

I''m generally of the view in the last part of this second paragraph. I'm not saying Marcille shouldn't be replaced (if someone is better than he should be) but it comes down to how everyone else would view it. If it would greatly shake up the team as it heads into the 1st round then he needs to stay. I'm saying he's done a lot for this team over the season and has earned some credit to remain particularly where we are in the season. If Hopkins is heading into the B1G regular season, then it probably makes sense to replace him. But, heading into the 1st round of the NCAAs - for a team that hasn't seen the playoffs since 2019 - that's a pretty big ask to think it won't upset the locker room.

Have we forgotten the clearing adventures? Maybe not Job 1, but I think he deserves some credit for the improvment in that department.

[51percentcorn]

So I have given Marcille repeated credit for improving his outlet passes - I think, however on Thursday he made a few decisions out behind the goal that were not the best and fortunate that his little unnecessary push on Kelly didnt draw a flag though the refs let alot go.

10 stone what is the deal with your comments about Collison? "Bombs Away"? He took 4 shots in the game - had 2 assists - one after getting trapped and having to clear the defense he made a beautiful pass to Grimes for a goal. He's taken 74 shots on the season - so that's about 4.5 shots per game and his shot percentage is 31%. More please.

Also for the record - I have no problem with Marquis or Chauvette playing - not that it matters what I do or don't have a problem with. What I thought was a little odd was the timing - first man-up - Maryland had just scored to make it 3-1 and we are rolling out 2 new faces on a specialty unit - a unit that across the game clearly benefits from continuity? And then you don't stick with the change? Just an odd choice to me - why not let Marquis have run or two on attack and let Melendez come through the box and see if that creates some match-ups? And if he wasn't hurt - why was he about the only player not listed in the Ohio State game?

Both Chauvette and Marquis should be pretty good EMO players - EMO kind of calls for creative stickwork and good shot placement. I believe Chauvette was on man-up early in the season sometimes and kind of got beat up when the ball got fed to him in the middle - or am I making that up?
Can't remember for sure..

I thought Dixon's comment about the line-up shuffling was one of his better ones - I did. Where Player A likes to be on the field and what he brings may be different from Player C so Player B has to adjust so again its all about continuity. If you want to play 9 guys at the mid-field - fine - maybe they should play together as units more. It also may help teach the defense to be more flexible whereas if you change it up just afew times from what the defense sees your match ups may be more favorable.

Someone made this comment earlier but the numbers drive it home - in Hopkins 5 losses - Angelus' scoring line is the following 1-4 (he was DNP against Loyola of course). In Hopkins 11 wins he is 14-33.

[HopFan16]

Got what we wanted with Cornell losing. Big Red might be on the road now. They certainly won't be seeded above us. We're most likely looking at #5 or #6 for the Jays. Possible first round opponents include the Patriot League winner (Loyola/Army), Penn, Princeton if they win the Ivy, Denver, and wouldn't this be interesting...Cornell. They aren't as likely as the others but it's within the realm of possibilities.

[DocBarrister]

Blue Jays are at #4 RPI after Maryland’s loss today. GT is now the Blue Jays’ top 5 win. Maryland at #6.

I think the Blue Jays have a shot at a top 4 seed.

DocBarrister

[HopFan16]

Blue Jays are at #4 RPI after Maryland’s loss today. GT is now the Blue Jays’ top 5 win. Maryland at #6.

I think the Blue Jays have a shot at a top 4 seed.

DocBarrister

Yep. 4 is the ceiling. 6 is the floor. Will depend how the committee values certain criteria over others but the Jays have a very good argument for a top 5 seed.

[jhu06]

Congratulations to Conry and our Michigan fan readers. Just an incredible story and glad a blue jay helped write it. I think Petro took the team there for fall ball during the Rabil era and Conry's had a lot of nice things to say about petro and his time at Hopkins this week.

Going to be interesting to hear from the big j lacrosse writers about why they got the conference so wrong this year. They did not see penn state Michigan or us having these kinds of years and vastly overestimated ohio state and rutgers. Maybe they need to actually go to fall ball next fall and see these midwestern programs. It also begs the question of what else they're missing in their coverage.

[jhu06]

Michigan pulled its goalie the other day but I'm sure the rope marcille has gotten vs the move conry pulled will be debated as will how they smoked maryland on short rest and we struggled at home.

[51percentcorn]

Michigan pulled its goalie the other day

Michigan has switched goalies alot this year - Taylor appeared in 9 games with over 330 minutes of action.

Going to be interesting to hear from the big j lacrosse writers about why they got the conference so wrong this year. They did not see penn state Michigan or us having these kinds of years and vastly overestimated ohio state and rutgers. Maybe they need to actually go to fall ball next fall and see these midwestern programs. It also begs the question of what else they're missing in their coverage.

.

This isn't hard right? It's just the error of recency. Ohio State was good last year - Rutgers really good - Michigan Penn State and Hopkins were not that good. Not easy to see things like Fracyon being the specialist of the year Malone being the offensive POY - Melendez and Collison having that big an impact - face-offs - talented offensive players and now a hot goalie for the Wolverines. No one's going to be hanging around Ann Arbor/Columbus and State College to get the inside scoop on the lacrosse team.

Yep. 4 is the ceiling. 6 is the floor. Will depend how the committee values certain criteria over others but the Jays have a very good argument for a top 5 seed.

5 is much better than 6 - probably doesn't mean that much in the first round as travel proximity etc. mean more but #6 is likely going to have to play Notre Dame in the quarters.

[HopFan16]

Gabe Sorichetti might be pretty good https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr8VAfVgg8Q/?hl=en

[flalax22]

I’ll say it now. If the Jays draw Army I think they are in trouble with a capital T

[JHU69]

Why?

[HopFan16]

I’ll say it now. If the Jays draw Army I think they are in trouble with a capital T

Possible 1st round opponents:

Army
Richmond
Bryant
Yale
Princeton
Cornell

Not a lot of easy outs there no matter who it is. But the Jays will be at home. No excuses. Get it done.

[flalax22]

Why?

They just dismantled Loyola. They are physical. disciplined and look to be an extremely hungry bunch. As 16 said no easy outs but I’d rather Richmond or Bryant.

[joewillie78]

Why?

They just dismantled Loyola. They are physical. disciplined and look to be an extremely hungry bunch. As 16 said no easy outs but I’d rather Richmond or Bryant.

I have them as #6 and playing my #11 Princeton in round 1.
Gobigred
Joewillie78

[jhu06]

credit to PM on scheduling-Utah and Delaware are in the tournament, St.Joes and Jville went 22-9. Considering we didn't have any ivies and Loyola Cuse Navy and UNC all had rough years a 6 sos is still pretty respectable. By comparison instead of utah jville and st joes petros last full season 2019-featured towson, msm, and princeton.

[nyjay]

Pretty nice to be in a position of not having to worry at all if Princeton won. Couple of late thoughts on the MD game.

1. I thought Marcille was good to very good while the game was close. Seemed like all of the back post dunks wore on him from the mid-third quarter onwards. You can't go away from him at this point. I would have considered it at a different point in the season, but you just can't now. Query as to whether the leash may be a little short at this point though. If he starts poorly, wouldn't be surprised if he gets pulled (which is obviously not ideal).
2. The game was lost via turnovers and bad off ball defense. So many bad turnovers and so many guys getting layups in front of a trailing defender who dozed off.
3. Maybe it was Makar and Schaller, but Angelus and Melendez just totally disappeared from the middle of 1Q onwards. What happened there? Schaller by the way was excellent. Didn't seem to make any mistakes and made a couple of really good plays. Great, another good MD defensemen to deal with.
4. As everyone noted, substitution patterns were very odd. Not entirely sure what the staff was thinking by mixing it all up that much at this time of year.
5. It's a privilege to have a home game in the NCAA. One we haven't had in way too many years.
6. Would be nice to get the 4 or 5 seed. Avoiding the ACC heavyweights in the quarters would be nice, and I'd love another crack at the Terps (who I assume is either the 4 or 5).