LaxPower Back-Up Stick

Posted: **Tue Aug 15, 2023 8:49 am**

Sagittarius A* wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2023 7:50 am
HopFan16 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 14, 2023 9:46 pm
Sagittarius A* wrote: ↑Sun Aug 13, 2023 3:28 pm
51percentcorn wrote: ↑Sun Aug 13, 2023 1:48 pm
1. Team chemistry with alot of veterans and some talented newcomers - even if there is no Degnon - you can name 14-15 players that obviously want to play and if you subtract Angekus/Melendez and Collison as givens than you are essentially saying you have 10-12 or so players fighting for 6 spots.

This would seem to be a major issue for next season. In general, I would rather see talent play over experience.
Sorry...what's the major issue here? Too many good players?

There is going to be a lot of continuity on offense. That's a good thing. Not sure how or why you're trying to contort yourself into a mental pretzel to turn that into a bad thing but you seem to be trying. News flash: Every team in the country has to integrate freshmen.

It must be August because some of these posts...whew.
This issue is, do you play freshmen over more experienced players and if you do, what does that do to your team chemistry?
Guys who have been working in the system for years might feel unfairly treated, it could potentially disrupt your leadership, etc.
Why should I knock myself out for a spot if a newcomer can just come along and grab mine?
Even if Degnon has to move on, I would say virtually every spot on offense is already taken. How do you integrate newcomers and players like Marquis (who got behind due to injury) into your lineup and keep everyone happy? Many teams have major graduation losses. On offense, we don't.
Coaches love competition but I don't think they want to totally ignore team chemistry either.

Ok. Still not seeing why this is a "major issue" as you originally suggested. "Do you play freshmen over more experienced players" is a question every coaching staff must answer every single year.

If Degnon does not return, his spot is not "already taken." Someone will have to earn it, whether that's a freshman, senior, or anyone else. They'll put in the guy they think gives the team the best chance to win and if that person doesn't get it done then it'll be next man up.

It's possible and likely that not everyone will be 100% happy. That's sports. It's not a "major issue" that there may or may not be a couple of veterans who are disappointed with their playing time next year. Find me a team where that's not the case.

Last season proved (and Crawley has definitely helped with this), that team chemistry/culture is in a good place. It can withstand a little bit of competition for limited roles. That tends to happen on good teams.

Posted: **Tue Aug 15, 2023 9:36 am**

Credit to Crawley, and when I say "not to belabor the obvious", that means an obvious addition is on offer ...

The clear upward trajectory of the team over the course of the season also would do wonders for team chemistry.
It is much easier to "trust the process" when the process appears to be working.

Posted: **Tue Aug 15, 2023 12:29 pm**

HopFan16 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2023 8:49 am
Sagittarius A* wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2023 7:50 am
HopFan16 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 14, 2023 9:46 pm
Sagittarius A* wrote: ↑Sun Aug 13, 2023 3:28 pm
51percentcorn wrote: ↑Sun Aug 13, 2023 1:48 pm
1. Team chemistry with alot of veterans and some talented newcomers - even if there is no Degnon - you can name 14-15 players that obviously want to play and if you subtract Angekus/Melendez and Collison as givens than you are essentially saying you have 10-12 or so players fighting for 6 spots.

This would seem to be a major issue for next season. In general, I would rather see talent play over experience.
Sorry...what's the major issue here? Too many good players?

There is going to be a lot of continuity on offense. That's a good thing. Not sure how or why you're trying to contort yourself into a mental pretzel to turn that into a bad thing but you seem to be trying. News flash: Every team in the country has to integrate freshmen.

It must be August because some of these posts...whew.
This issue is, do you play freshmen over more experienced players and if you do, what does that do to your team chemistry?
Guys who have been working in the system for years might feel unfairly treated, it could potentially disrupt your leadership, etc.
Why should I knock myself out for a spot if a newcomer can just come along and grab mine?
Even if Degnon has to move on, I would say virtually every spot on offense is already taken. How do you integrate newcomers and players like Marquis (who got behind due to injury) into your lineup and keep everyone happy? Many teams have major graduation losses. On offense, we don't.
Coaches love competition but I don't think they want to totally ignore team chemistry either.
Ok. Still not seeing why this is a "major issue" as you originally suggested. "Do you play freshmen over more experienced players" is a question every coaching staff must answer every single year.

If Degnon does not return, his spot is not "already taken." Someone will have to earn it, whether that's a freshman, senior, or anyone else. They'll put in the guy they think gives the team the best chance to win and if that person doesn't get it done then it'll be next man up.

It's possible and likely that not everyone will be 100% happy. That's sports. It's not a "major issue" that there may or may not be a couple of veterans who are disappointed with their playing time next year. Find me a team where that's not the case.

Last season proved (and Crawley has definitely helped with this), that team chemistry/culture is in a good place. It can withstand a little bit of competition for limited roles. That tends to happen on good teams.

This isn't the first time any of these guys played with kids older or younger than them. Many come from loaded prep programs and probably had to wait in line for playing time. If they were good enough to supplant an upper classman in high school there is no guarantee it will happen at any major D1 program. Practice well and playing time will eventually come.

Posted: **Tue Aug 15, 2023 1:35 pm**

The world must be spinning off its axis because I kind of agree with the black hole on part of this. Here's the way I look at it - part nature and part mathematics. EVen in the dying embers of the COVID effects on lacrosse eligibility - Hopkins would appear to be embarking on a somewhat unusual situation. Even if Degnon does not return - they are returning 225 goals minus 52 I believe - of which Degnon is 41 of the 52. You have to get to number 12 on the scoring chart to get to Krampf so they are returning 10 of the Top 11 scorers - approximately 77% of goals scored. And we still don't know about Degnon as they haven't said anything with 2 weeks or less until classes so its theoretically possible I guess to return an astounding 95% of goals scored. Yet your roster is introducing 22 new faces which will comprise 39% of the roster - assuming 57. You are increasing your overall roster size by approx. 20% from under 50 to 57/58. Yes all teams have to incorporate freshmen - yes most if not all teams these days have transfers - but there are probably not alot of teams introducing 22 new players to a team returning everyone but a very good LSM/an unselfish wing player/a banged up face-off man and a starting goalie who everyone seems to think has been replaced with an upgrade. Especially when 10 of the 22 are now ranked as 4 stars.
Is it a major issue? No
Is there any evicence it is a problem? No - most seem to think a possible strngth of Milliman is to get everyone to row the boat in the same direction
Is it something the coaches need to keep an eye on as fall practice starts and into the season - Yes IMO - there is as it is said - alot of returning continuity but you also have two sophomores - English and Marquis - who will - certainly in English's case - be competing for more minutes than last year and you have 4-5 freshmen that might be able to contribute if given the opportunity. That's 6-7 more names and only one of them (English) is on the top 11 in points and he only played in 10 games
Is it worth talking about? I don't know of anything better to discuss.

Posted: **Tue Aug 15, 2023 1:53 pm**

I'd bet that there will be returning players that are asked to take on new/different rolls with the influx of young talent. Some of them will embrace those rolls, some of them will decide instead to leave the team and "focus on their academics". This happens every year at every good program in both D1 and D3. Not a big deal as long as the coaches are clear with expectations. From what I know of PM, he is always clear of expectations whether you like them or not.

Posted: **Tue Aug 15, 2023 4:48 pm**

roles

Posted: **Wed Aug 16, 2023 6:41 am**

MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2023 4:48 pm roles

Nah, rolls and biscuits.

Posted: **Wed Aug 16, 2023 7:22 am**

MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2023 4:48 pm roles

Thank you schoolmarm.

Posted: **Wed Aug 16, 2023 9:36 am**

get it to x wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 7:22 am
MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2023 4:48 pm roles

Thank you schoolmarm.

Da nada.

Thus the wink.

Posted: **Wed Aug 16, 2023 10:24 am**

MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 9:36 am
get it to x wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 7:22 am
MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2023 4:48 pm roles

Thank you schoolmarm.
Da nada.

Thus the wink.

It's de nada

Posted: **Wed Aug 16, 2023 11:10 am**

51percentcorn wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2023 1:35 pm The world must be spinning off its axis because I kind of agree with the black hole on part of this. Here's the way I look at it - part nature and part mathematics. EVen in the dying embers of the COVID effects on lacrosse eligibility - Hopkins would appear to be embarking on a somewhat unusual situation. Even if Degnon does not return - they are returning 225 goals minus 52 I believe - of which Degnon is 41 of the 52. You have to get to number 12 on the scoring chart to get to Krampf so they are returning 10 of the Top 11 scorers - approximately 77% of goals scored. And we still don't know about Degnon as they haven't said anything with 2 weeks or less until classes so its theoretically possible I guess to return an astounding 95% of goals scored. Yet your roster is introducing 22 new faces which will comprise 39% of the roster - assuming 57. You are increasing your overall roster size by approx. 20% from under 50 to 57/58. Yes all teams have to incorporate freshmen - yes most if not all teams these days have transfers - but there are probably not alot of teams introducing 22 new players to a team returning everyone but a very good LSM/an unselfish wing player/a banged up face-off man and a starting goalie who everyone seems to think has been replaced with an upgrade. Especially when 10 of the 22 are now ranked as 4 stars.
Is it a major issue? No
Is there any evicence it is a problem? No - most seem to think a possible strngth of Milliman is to get everyone to row the boat in the same direction
Is it something the coaches need to keep an eye on as fall practice starts and into the season - Yes IMO - there is as it is said - alot of returning continuity but you also have two sophomores - English and Marquis - who will - certainly in English's case - be competing for more minutes than last year and you have 4-5 freshmen that might be able to contribute if given the opportunity. That's 6-7 more names and only one of them (English) is on the top 11 in points and he only played in 10 games
Is it worth talking about? I don't know of anything better to discuss.

I understand 51s lament about the young fellas (excuse me espn, players) feelings and he seems to know the recruiting world and kids of today better than me. That said the veterans resurrected the program from its absolute nadir and could've had the team in the final 4 last year. I'm not sure where an underclassman would look at 4-5th year kids ahead of him and say after a few weeks/months/games "I'm out of here because that kid with dozens more d1 games is playing ahead of me". This isn't a program coming off a 3-8 season or a missed ncaa tournament. Milliman played Deans out of nowhere his freshman year.

Posted: **Wed Aug 16, 2023 11:12 am**

HopFan16 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 10:24 am
MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 9:36 am
get it to x wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 7:22 am
MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2023 4:48 pm roles

Thank you schoolmarm.
Da nada.

Thus the wink.
It's de nada

I took French...ce n'est rien

Posted: **Wed Aug 16, 2023 11:23 am**

HopFan16 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 10:24 am
MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 9:36 am
get it to x wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 7:22 am
MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2023 4:48 pm roles

Thank you schoolmarm.
Da nada.

Thus the wink.
It's de nada

have to love the offseason

Posted: **Wed Aug 16, 2023 11:25 am**

September 1st is right around the corner.

Posted: **Wed Aug 16, 2023 12:00 pm**

This all feels like manufacturing concern because there's not much else to talk about. The freshmen know there are limited roles available. It's like that on every good team. How many freshmen played for Virginia last season? One? How many will play for them this season? My guess — one again (Millon, assuming he doesn't redshirt like Shellenberger did). When you're a good team, freshmen usually don't play a ton. That's just how it is. If they want to play immediately they have to force the staff's hand and give them no choice, e.g. Carson Brown.

That said, those who are capable of looking one year into the future will see that we graduate a ton guys after this season. There will be jobs for the taking in '25.

Posted: **Wed Aug 16, 2023 1:01 pm**

HopFan16 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 12:00 pm This all feels like manufacturing concern because there's not much else to talk about. The freshmen know there are limited roles available. It's like that on every good team. How many freshmen played for Virginia last season? One?

Not exactly - This is where a reasonable schedule discussion comes into play, UVA had 9 incoming true freshmen on the roster - I will admit if they red-shirted someone before the season and left them off the roster I do not know but Sunderland appeared in 16 games, Eldridge appeared in 11. Jones appeared in 8, Till and Myers appeared in 6 each. The other 4 DNP. So UVA was able to keep most of their freshmen engaged in part because they are beating Richmond by 17 and Lafeyette by 9. Also - having a great school - an incredibly successful program and many toys to make a beautiful campus all the more attractive gives them the ability to manage their intake. This years class is 10 - last years looks like it was 9 - next years is 9. They'll have some red-shirts and some transfers probably but it certainly appears they are targeting a roster of 40 not close to 60. The incoming class this year - if IL is to be believed - has Millon and alot of middies - I'm not up on UVA eligibility but Conner/Garno and McConvey were all listed as Grad Students or Senior so they are gone or will be gone after this year - plus Xander is gone too - so looks like there are opportunites for middies/offensive players.

I have repeatedly said that there was a need for a large class to replace the forced exodus next year but it creates some management for this coming year.

Posted: **Wed Aug 16, 2023 3:39 pm**

51percentcorn wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 1:01 pm
HopFan16 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 12:00 pm This all feels like manufacturing concern because there's not much else to talk about. The freshmen know there are limited roles available. It's like that on every good team. How many freshmen played for Virginia last season? One?
Not exactly - This is where a reasonable schedule discussion comes into play, UVA had 9 incoming true freshmen on the roster - I will admit if they red-shirted someone before the season and left them off the roster I do not know but Sunderland appeared in 16 games, Eldridge appeared in 11. Jones appeared in 8, Till and Myers appeared in 6 each. The other 4 DNP. So UVA was able to keep most of their freshmen engaged in part because they are beating Richmond by 17 and Lafeyette by 9. Also - having a great school - an incredibly successful program and many toys to make a beautiful campus all the more attractive gives them the ability to manage their intake. This years class is 10 - last years looks like it was 9 - next years is 9. They'll have some red-shirts and some transfers probably but it certainly appears they are targeting a roster of 40 not close to 60. The incoming class this year - if IL is to be believed - has Millon and alot of middies - I'm not up on UVA eligibility but Conner/Garno and McConvey were all listed as Grad Students or Senior so they are gone or will be gone after this year - plus Xander is gone too - so looks like there are opportunites for middies/offensive players.

I have repeatedly said that there was a need for a large class to replace the forced exodus next year but it creates some management for this coming year.

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/ ... fany/61967
Really good podcast with IL. Of all the rival coaches, I've always been most impressed through the years on these things with Tiffany. Comes off more as a NOLS/Outward Bound type communicator who tries to understand and relate to kids/people on a personal level than some of the other stuff we've seen. My obvious question for Hopkins here was how the $1.8 Bloomberg gift works. I'm sure Milliman can't directly say to a top recruit whose parents might be teachers and not able to afford Hopkins the way other parents might, well we're not offering you a full scholarship but we can make it work, right?

Posted: **Thu Aug 17, 2023 9:13 am**

Saw a mention on IL's site that Graham Kaestner made one of the all tournament teams for IL's National Invitational - while that's good - it did get me to wondering again if he is related to the famous Hopkins/MD lacrosse family - I saw someone asked when he committed but did not see an answer. As a defenseman it would be nice to hear he has some of Hank's genes.

Posted: **Thu Aug 17, 2023 9:55 am**

I am happy to see someone here remembers Hank Kaestner. He was an absolute joy to watch. No one could get by him, except for Jim Lewis (sometimes).

With his smallish body and with the difficulty of dislodging the ball, could he be a star today?

Posted: **Thu Aug 17, 2023 10:12 am**

51percentcorn wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 9:13 am Saw a mention on IL's site that Graham Kaestner made one of the all tournament teams for IL's National Invitational - while that's good - it did get me to wondering again if he is related to the famous Hopkins/MD lacrosse family - I saw someone asked when he committed but did not see an answer. As a defenseman it would be nice to hear he has some of Hank's genes.

99% sure they are related, just don't ask me exactly how. Big family. I believe Hank was one of Bud's 10+ children. So who knows how many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

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