NCAA Men's Lacrosse

[4decadedukie]

Duke's final regular season game will be played this Saturday (on Long Island) at 1300, against Saint John's. The Red Storm has lost eight of their last nine, so beating our Devils would redeem their entire season, which always creates upset potential. I have not found any television coverage, but "Game Tracker" is supposed to cover the contest.

On Sunday, 3 May, at 2100, ESPN-U will braodcast the NCAA Tournament selection; hopefully, Duke will be the top seed in either the Hofstra or the Naval Academy regional bracket.

[chrishoke]

The team is peaking at the right time! Go Duke. As a seed team in the NCAA Tourny Duke's first game will be at home. :)

[burnspbesq]

Inside Lacrosse's latest Bracketology has Duke as the overall number one seed. We'll see if that holds up.

Hofstra's loss to Villanova in the semis of the CAA tournament has the potential to knock Murlund out of the NCAAs. They are in the uncomfortable position of having to root for Hopkins to blow out Loyola tomorrow.

No idea who Duke will play in the first round.

[4decadedukie]

Inside Lacrosse has some projections -- post Hofstra's loss -- of pairing s: http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/04/30/playoff-push-inside-lacrosse-bracketology-update-hofstra-edition/. This weekend's (and particularly today's) games could significantly alter their estimates. It seems to me that IL's placement of Duke as the top seed in the Hofstra region give us a more difficult road to the national championship.

[blueprofessor]

Hofstra Quarterfinal Bracket

1. Duke vs. UMBC
8. Cornell vs. UMass

3. Syracuse vs. Siena
6. Johns Hopkins vs. Hofstra

Navy Quarterfinal Bracket

5. North Carolina vs. Navy
4. Princeton vs. Maryland

2. Virginia vs. Villanova
7. Notre Dame vs. Brown
Link--- http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/05/02/playoff-push-inside-lacrosses-bracketology-weekend/
I do not like Cuse, Hop, and Cornell in our bracket as much as UNC,Princeton ,and ND in the Navy brackett. Is this an appropriate reward for Duke's being the #1 seed?

Duke women are projected as 5th seed.:)

Our guys still must take care of bidness today vrs. St. John's.

Which bracket should we be in (our's or UVA's)?

Best--Blueprofessor:)

[burnspbesq]

The Duke women are number four in the coaches' poll and number five in RPI - neither of which presumably takes Penn's upset loss to Stanford yesterday into consideration. They are number three in the laxpower.com computer rankings. And they are number seven in SOS.

Any seed between three and five would be difficult to argue against, but my personal view is that if they take care of business against Dartmouth today, they should be seeded third. They don't have any losses as bad as Penn's loss to Stanford or Carolina's nine-goal drubbing by Penn, and they won the season series against Carolina by eight goals on aggregate.

Likely first-round opponents? If you assume that Stanford jumps up three or four places in the rankings and the RPI by beating Penn, then Duke is most likely going to face Vandy, Penn State, or Dartmouth in the first round. Stanford and BU would be less likely first-round opponents.

[burnspbesq]

My understanding is that there is a sort of pod system in effect for assigning teams to quarterfinal sites, based on travel distance and fan base. If Duke is assigned to the Hofstra site, that means that the NCAA thinks Duke's New York alumni base is bigger and more likely to show up than its DC alumni base, and is willing to pay to fly Duke to New York in order to test that hypothesis.

It's not necessarily the case that if, for example, Duke were to get assigned to the Hofstra site and win its quarterfinal game, it would face the other Hofstra quarterfinal winner on Saturday in Foxboro. I think that if Duke is seeded number one and advances to the semis, it would play the survivor of the 4-5-12-13 quarter of the draw.

The NCAA's desire to minimize travel costs also explains why even if Duke is the overall number one seed, it is likely to face either UMBC or Navy in the first round. The NCAA knows it has to fly some team out to South Bend to face Notre Dame if the Irish beat Ohio State in the GWLL final. By any ranking available, the MAAC champion will be the 16th best team in the field, but under existing travel guidelines the NCAA would have to fly either Siena or Manhattan to Durham to face Duke. So the MAAC winner is going to go to Syracuse, and UMBC and Navy are going to Duke and Virginia - take your pick.

[blueprofessor]

My understanding is that there is a sort of pod system in effect for assigning teams to quarterfinal sites, based on travel distance and fan base. If Duke is assigned to the Hofstra site, that means that the NCAA thinks Duke's New York alumni base is bigger and more likely to show up than its DC alumni base, and is willing to pay to fly Duke to New York in order to test that hypothesis.

It's not necessarily the case that if, for example, Duke were to get assigned to the Hofstra site and win its quarterfinal game, it would face the other Hofstra quarterfinal winner on Saturday in Foxboro. I think that if Duke is seeded number one and advances to the semis, it would play the survivor of the 4-5-12-13 quarter of the draw.

The NCAA's desire to minimize travel costs also explains why even if Duke is the overall number one seed, it is likely to face either UMBC or Navy in the first round. The NCAA knows it has to fly some team out to South Bend to face Notre Dame if the Irish beat Ohio State in the GWLL final. By any ranking available, the MAAC champion will be the 16th best team in the field, but under existing travel guidelines the NCAA would have to fly either Siena or Manhattan to Durham to face Duke. So the MAAC winner is going to go to Syracuse, and UMBC and Navy are going to Duke and Virginia - take your pick.

If anyone has the final brackets (chart) after selection tonight, please post.
Thanks and Go,LaxDevils!:D

Best--Blueprofessor:)

[blueprofessor]

http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=3732561

11 different Duke players scored a goal.:)
Duke led 12--1 at half.

Best regards--Blueprofessor:D

[chrishoke]

The Duke women beat 16th ranked Dartmouth 22-8 in their season final.

[4decadedukie]

If anyone has the final brackets (chart) after selection tonight, please post.
Thanks and Go,LaxDevils!:D

Best--Blueprofessor:)


This should be the Lax Power hyperlink for the NCAA's Division One 2009 Men's Tournament bracket, available later this evening: http://www.laxpower.com/update09/tourney09/bracket_md1.php

The Woman's Division One link follows: http://www.laxpower.com/update09/tourney09/bracket_wd1.php

It is my understanding that the NCAA Section Committee will announce this year's Men's brackets in an 1830 (Eastern) news teleconference, which will be broadcast at 2100 this evening on ESPN-U. There is no embargo on the brackets and I suspect they will be internet-available by approximately 1900.

[gotham devil]

http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=3732561

11 different Duke players scored a goal.:)
Duke led 12--1 at half.

Best regards--Blueprofessor:D

Duke had great support at the game. It was 75% Duke fans and plenty of recruits in the crowd.

[4decadedukie]

Looks like Duke is the NCAA Division I Men's Tournament's #3 overall seed. I am flabbergasted by the Committee's section as UVa as the overall #1 seed, since Duke's strength of schedule was marginally better and we defeated the Cavilers twice -- by decisive margins -- in head-to-head competitions. We play Navy at home next Saturday.

[pratt '04]

Look like Duke is the NCAA Division I Men's Tournament's #2 overall seed, and the top-seed in the Annapolis Region. I am flabbergasted by the Committee's section as UVa as the overall #1 seed, since Duke's strength of schedule was marginally better and we defeated the Cavilers twice -- and by decisive margins -- in head-to-head competition.

Duke is the #3 overall seed. Syracuse got the #2 seed.

[burnspbesq]

One surmises that the loss to Harvard weighed heavily on the minds of the selection committee.

And a possible quarterfinal meeting with the Holes? Jeezus H. Keerist, could the committee have shown Duke any less love? We are all UMBC fans this week.

[burnspbesq]

They draw Cindy Lou and all the other Hoos in the first round at home on Sunday.

If they advance, they play either Penn or Fairfield in the quarters.

Penn's loss to Stanford wasn't enough to get the Cardinal into the tournament, and it wasn't enough to drop Penn two places in the seeding.

As with the men, one bad loss (at Georgetown) seems to have come back to haunt Duke in the eyes of the selection committee. Otherwise, being seeded behind Carolina is utterly incomprehensible.

[blueprofessor]

*1-Virginia (11-5)
Villanova (13-2)



Brown (12-3)
*8-Johns Hopkins (9-4)


*5-Cornell (10-3)
Hofstra (11-3)


UMass (9-5)
*4-Princeton (12-2)
************************************************** *************

*3-Duke (13-3)
Navy (11-4)


UMBC (12-3)
*6-UNC (11-5)


*7-Notre Dame (15-0)
Maryland (9-6)


Siena (12-5)
*2-Syracuse (12-2)

As a formerly projected #1 seed, instead of UMBC, now as a 3rd seed we get Navy and then possibly the Tar Heels.The 2 teams in the tourney to whom we lost (Cornell and MD) and our bete noire JHU are not in our draw until FF.


Comments?:confused:

Best--Blueprofessor :)





















*First-round host

[sagegrouse]

As a formerly projected #1 seed, instead of UMBC, now as a 3rd seed we get Navy and then possibly the Tar Heels.The 2 teams in the tourney to whom we lost (Cornell and MD) and our bete noire JHU are not in our draw until FF.


Comments?:confused:

Best--Blueprofessor :)


La bete noire = JHU
La bete fausse = Maryland
La bete grande rouge = Cornell
La bete marine = Navy
La bete bleue layette = UNC


sagegrouse

[blueprofessor]

La bete noire = JHU
La bete fausse = Maryland
La bete grande rouge = Cornell
La bete marine = Navy
La bete bleue layette = UNC


sagegrouse

I see you are a bete--ing man!Any 50=1 odds winner in the Preakness you care to publish?:D
Best--Blue Prof :)

[blueprofessor]

Watch on www.GoDuke.com also.

http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=25937&SPID=2027&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=3735206

Go,Duke!
Best--Blue Prof:)

[juise]

Duke leads 8-0 with 11:14 left in the 2nd period. Wow!

[godukerocks]

14-4, 4:40 left. Great game by Duke.

[blueprofessor]

way too many turnovers!
Best--Blue prof:)

[4decadedukie]

way too many turnovers!
Best--Blue prof:)

I agree; however, the saturation of the field my have resulted in inordinate turnovers by both teams. In addition, defense was truly excellent and six (if my count is correct) Devils had at least two goals against Navy's highly-reputed defense. That's balanced offense.

[gotham devil]

http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/05/08/warrior-may-madness-wynn-casino-odds-on-ncaa-lacrosse-tournament/

4/1 odds on Duke

[blueprofessor]

http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/05/08/warrior-may-madness-wynn-casino-odds-on-ncaa-lacrosse-tournament/

4/1 odds on Duke

The IL remarks re these odds (and Duke has at least the 2nd most difficult path on paper to the trophy):
"Duke: 4/1
Interesting that Wynn thinks the Devils will advance to the final out of the Syracuse/Notre Dame side. Pretty generous for a team that’s never won a title."

Best--Blue Prof:)

[gotham devil]

The IL remarks re these odds (and Duke has at least the 2nd most difficult path on paper to the trophy):
"Duke: 4/1
Interesting that Wynn thinks the Devils will advance to the final out of the Syracuse/Notre Dame side. Pretty generous for a team that’s never won a title."

Best--Blue Prof:)

http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/05/07/under-armour-all-america-classic-all-america-teams-announced/

BTW, four Duke commits, including Kelly Tripuka's son, Jake, made the UA All-American game.

[devildeac]

Final:
Duke 14
Navy 5

Final:
unc 15
UMBC 13

Next Saturday:

Good vs evil for the 3rd time this year in Annapolis

Perhaps the thread could be retitled: Men's Lax-2009 Edition or have separate threads for the men and women as they hopefully go deep into the tourney.

[77devil]

The IL remarks re these odds (and Duke has at least the 2nd most difficult path on paper to the trophy):
"Duke: 4/1
Interesting that Wynn thinks the Devils will advance to the final out of the Syracuse/Notre Dame side. Pretty generous for a team that’s never won a title."

Best--Blue Prof:)

That quote is from an "analyst" who predicted Navy to win a game that was essentially over after the 1st period, and had the worst record amongst the IL/ESPN writers predicting the opening round games. Given Duke's relative success in recent NCAA play, and in reaching the championship game, the statement isn't exactly logical, let alone inciteful.

[blueprofessor]

That quote is from an "analyst" who predicted Navy to win a game that was essentially over after the 1st period, and had the worst record amongst the IL/ESPN writers predicting the opening round games. Given Duke's relative success in recent NCAA play, and in reaching the championship game, the statement isn't exactly logical, let alone inciteful.

A number of lacrosse commentators are waiting for us to win our first

championship. This comment bothers me not the least.There are commentators (UNC's Willie Scruggs) who do not like us. Many of the commentators are ex Hop, Maryland, and other bitter rival schools' players.

I cannot find fault with the perception that Duke has at least the second most difficult road to winning the championship.
I watched all 8 games Sat. and Sun. Talk about contrasting styles!
What I have liked about Duke so far : speed, excellent defense, great at goundballs, excellent goaltending.
Do not like: turnovers. Moreover vs. UNC, we better be better at winning faceoffs or we'll give Bitter and co. too many opps.

Best--Blue Prof:)

[burnspbesq]

Conventional wisdom is that Billy Bitter's eight-goal explosion against UMBC was the most outstanding individual performance of the first round, but I'm not sure that I wouldn't give the nod to Parker McKee's 14 ground balls.

Conventional wisdom is that Schroeder is Duke's Achilles heel. And let's be real, he's not Dan Loftus by any stretch of the imagination. But in the last two months, he has made the saves he has had to make, and he's been fantastic early in games. Being hot early is invaluable in setting the tone for the game. Navy was dead as soon as Schroeder made those two huge saves on the Mids' first two shots. If he does that against the Holes, they will be just as dead.

The combination of Payton and Costabile were better than 50 percent against Walterhoefer last time out. If they do that again, Duke wins easily.

[4decadedukie]

Having watched all eight games last weekend, having followed this season -- and Duke for many years --carefully, and having played in the 1960s both in high school and college, I strongly agree with the last two posts. In particular, I want to highlight both Duke's containing improvement throughout the season and Schroeder's major contributions. It is my considered opinion that Duke has a very substantial -- at least as good as any other team -- opportunity to win the NCAA Championship in late-May. I also believe that the culture created by Coach Danowski (and Coach Pressler before him) is likely to attract superb student athletes for many years. GO BLUE DEVILS!

[blueprofessor]

Having watched all eight games last weekend, having followed this season -- and Duke for many years --carefully, and having played in the 1960s both in high school and college, I strongly agree with the last two posts. In particular, I want to highlight both Duke's containing improvement throughout the season and Schroeder's major contributions. It is my considered opinion that Duke has a very substantial -- at least as good as any other team -- opportunity to win the NCAA Championship in late-May. I also believe that the culture created by Coach Danowski (and Coach Pressler before him) is likely to attract superb student athletes for many years. GO BLUE DEVILS!

He looked like one of the top 3 keepers in the 8 games. Also, are our slashers undersized?
Rarely have I witnessed the ferocious defense , esp. by our LSs in, causing dropped balls.They may be our ace.
I am concerned with Duke's not getting off to a fast start. That hurt us vs. Hop and got in our minds.
When Duke is comfortable and fluid, they are as fast as any team . The stick work has improved over the last year.
I think Dano has done a fine coaching job. This team seems happier.
I rarely say something like this, but Duke deserves this championship---they need to go get it!!

Best--Blue Prof:)

[blueprofessor]

Excerpts:
This suspiciously looks like a All-American candidate list, but at this point in the season you start to expect big performances from the game’s best players. It also works as a preview of the Quarterfinals. Can these guys keep up their production?
ATTACK

MVP Billy Bitter, North Carolina
8 goals on 9 shots, plus an assist to boot. Does he sneak in and win the Jack Turnball Award this year?

Big Time Chris Boland, Johns Hopkins
The Blue Jays needed their offense to carry them against Brown, and Boland stepped up with a big 5 goal, 2 assist performance.

Rookie Sensation Rob Pannell, Cornell
Three goals and two assists from the freshman. His production was vital in a tough 11-8 victory over Hofstra.
MIDFIELD

MVP Mark Kolver, Princeton
If you give Kolver time and room, he can beat you straight up every time. His five goals and one assist helped push Princeton over UMass.

Big Time Brian Carroll, Virginia
Have to like the junior middie dropping five goals to help the Cavs’ offense get back on track.

Clutch Brian Christopher, Johns Hopkins
Brown knew that Hopkins was going to put the ball in Christopher’s stick after coming off the OT timeout, and they still couldn’t stop him. The goal, which won the game 12-11, was his third OT goal in four games for Christopher.

F/O Shane Walterhoefer, North Carolina
Finished 22-31 against UMBC in a game where winning possession was widely important.
DEFENSE

Big Time Max Schmidt, Defense
Maryland’s defense as a whole dominated Notre Dame, but Schmidt’s performance [stats include 2 groundballs and a caused turnover] stood out.

Senior Leadership Matt Moyer, Cornell
Moyer’s presence was welcome in this close contest, scooping three groundballs and one caused turnover. He also scored a crucial goal.

Career High Parker McKee, Duke
Scooped a career high 14 groundballs against Navy. McKee just flies over the field. Duke’s defense versus UNC’s offense will be a show.
GOAL

Clutch Brent Herbst, Siena
Siena, this year’s MAAC champ qualifier, stayed close to Syracuse for three quarters (4-0 at the end of the first half, 6-2 at the end of the third quarter) thanks to the quality performance from Herbst. He racked up 10 saves against the Orange, including five first quarter stops, before Syracuse tacked on five fourth-quarter goals to win 11-4.

Best--Blue Prof:)

[4decadedukie]

He looked like one of the top 3 keepers in the 8 games. Also, are our slashers undersized?
Rarely have I witnessed the ferocious defense , esp. by our LSs in, causing dropped balls.They may be our ace.


BlueProf -

I agree entirely, especially with the above. Everyone accurately suggests that Duke is an offensive juggernaut, but our virtually unprecedented scoring margins in recent games against excellent teams (UVa, Navy and even UNC) have resulted from intense, unremitting DEFENSE. It is my opinion that as long as this team remains the defensive powerhouse it has become in the March, April, and May, it is likely to be undefeated. Warm regards.

[greybeard]

Beware of the Maxman, Siebold that is. The freshman attack played great but Hofstra's focus was on stopping Max, not him. Hofstra's best mid, a kid from the same high school as Siebold, was committed to staying in his numbers whereever Max went and whereever the ball was. Max still got two, but the attention he got created space where there should not have been.

Siebold is a beast and will not be taken out as easy as the last time (you guys do remember that, um, hit, don't you; I'm bettin Max does too). His strength provides that something extra, while he has the speed, dexterity, and cleverness that many of these great kids in the tournament display. I'm betting (hoping) that that combination of ingredients, and his ability to see the game in terms of making his teammates better, will be the difference. Yes, I preceded Max at Cornell and at Hewlett High School.

I believe the national champion will come from the game in LI this weekend, although the team I fear the most is the Cuse. In addition to the X factor, Abbot and his ability in clearing/transition situtations, they just picked up a box lacrosser who was academically ineligible until now. He is a load near the goal and showed amazing deftness and strength in a crowd. How does that work--kid is academically ineligible until school is out but lax goes on and he gets to play this season? Not at the Big Red or Duke it wouldn't work that way.

The lefty from Princeton has the most effective shot in the game, very, very unusual mode of delivery. Drops the stick down with the basket face up, interrupts the downward acceleration of gravity with the multiplier of hip/torso rotation and then rotates his forarms to create yet a third multiplier. A rocket. Curious observation on ESPNU's bias. They had a special piece on a guy from Hopkins with a similar shot, which lacks the initial drop that the Princeton kid's has, and has less pop. They chose the Hopkins kid for the piece, even though there's no misstaking who has the more effective shot.

Hope we meet you guys again this season. Would be great: I'd definitely be there again. Last time, I went knowing that I would be happy no matter who won; this time not so much. Later.

[gotham devil]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/columns/story?id=4160439

[Tappan Zee Devil]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/columns/story?id=4160439

from the quoted link
Keep in mind that Duke has found ways to lose playoffs games in 2005, 2007 and 2008 when it had the more talented team.

I took Lacrosse as a PE elective back in 1968 and have sorta followed it in recent years since my wife teaches at a school across the river in Westchester where it is a big sport.

Can someone with more knowledge comment on this comment?

Jim

[burnspbesq]

from the quoted link
Keep in mind that Duke has found ways to lose playoffs games in 2005, 2007 and 2008 when it had the more talented team.

I took Lacrosse as a PE elective back in 1968 and have sorta followed it in recent years since my wife teaches at a school across the river in Westchester where it is a big sport.

Can someone with more knowledge comment on this comment?

Jim

True, but irrelevant. That was then, this is now.

[gotham devil]

from the quoted link
Keep in mind that Duke has found ways to lose playoffs games in 2005, 2007 and 2008 when it had the more talented team.

I took Lacrosse as a PE elective back in 1968 and have sorta followed it in recent years since my wife teaches at a school across the river in Westchester where it is a big sport.

Can someone with more knowledge comment on this comment?

Jim

I actually live in Westchester and went to high school with four former lax all-Americans (two different high schools). I used to be friendly with Coach Alberici, Pressler's former chief assistant and the head coach at Army. Sadly, the author is making an accurate comment. With Greer, we would be the favorite again this year. My only concern about Danowski is his recruiting. Carolina's coach has been very aggressive in recruiting since arriving from Ohio St and UVA has been on a tear.

If you don't mind me asking, which school does your wife teach at?

[4decadedukie]

from the quoted link
Keep in mind that Duke has found ways to lose playoffs games in 2005, 2007 and 2008 when it had the more talented team.

I took Lacrosse as a PE elective back in 1968 and have sorta followed it in recent years since my wife teaches at a school across the river in Westchester where it is a big sport.

Can someone with more knowledge comment on this comment?

Jim

Jim,

Over time, Duke’s Men's Lacroose program has progressively developed to the elite-level. The fact that several recent teams have achieved final four status, but did not win the National Championship, is still a great thing for Duke Lax (however, obviously not quite as good as capturing the ultimate accolade). Continuous performance at this level attracts the best players, especially when combined with Duke's many other extremely favorable attributes. It also creates a team-culture of competing and winning at the highest competitive level. Our GREAT 1986 Men’s Basketball team – sadly – never won the National Championship, but they surely created the foundation that allowed subsequent teams both to achieve repeated final four status and to win “the big prize” in 1991 and 1992.

[blueprofessor]

Jim,

Over time, Duke’s Men's Lacroose program has progressively developed to the elite-level. The fact that several recent teams have achieved final four status, but did not win the National Championship, is still a great thing for Duke Lax (however, obviously not quite as good as capturing the ultimate accolade). Continuous performance at this level attracts the best players, especially when combined with Duke's many other extremely favorable attributes. It also creates a team-culture of competing and winning at the highest competitive level. Our GREAT 1986 Men’s Basketball team – sadly – never won the National Championship, but they surely created the foundation that allowed subsequent teams both to achieve repeated final four status and to win “the big prize” in 1991 and 1992.

Inside Lacrosse picked Duke's defense as 1 of two best in the Elite 8.
Of several players who could play crucial roles in the qfinals, IL opined :

"D Mike Manley, Duke, Soph.

One of two candidates, along with junior Parker McKee, to defend North Carolina sophomore A Billy Bitter (46 goals, 23 assists). It’s a tall order — Bitter enters with 69 points, the third-highest total in school history. His 46 goals are second-most in a single season. And with Shane Walterhoefer doing well on face-offs, UNC is guaranteed to have a lot of possession. "

Face-off percentages and great D sticks on Bitter---watch this calculus!

Best--Blue Prof:)

[pratt '04]

My only concern about Danowski is his recruiting. Carolina's coach has been very aggressive in recruiting since arriving from Ohio St and UVA has been on a tear.


Duke has 4 Under Armour All Americans coming in next year and UNC only has 3. Seems like Danowski is recruiting pretty well to me.

All Americans (http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/05/07/under-armour-all-america-classic-all-america-teams-announced/)

[blueprofessor]

Duke has 4 Under Armour All Americans coming in next year and UNC only has 3. Seems like Danowski is recruiting pretty well to me.

All Americans (http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/05/07/under-armour-all-america-classic-all-america-teams-announced/)

From same article:"The University of Virginia and Georgetown University each signed six All-Americans from the boys roster. Virginia also landed the most boys and girls All-America recruits with a combined total of 11. The University of Florida women’s lacrosse team, despite entering Division I play for the first time in the 2010 season, added six All-Americans to its incoming class."

Best--Blue Prof:)

[blueprofessor]

Interesting discussion of what changes in each of the remaining 8 teams has led to this year's success.http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/05/13/warrior-may-madness-8-key-differences-for-the-ncaa-lacrosse-quarterfinalists/

Re Duke:
" No. 3 Duke: Ned Crotty
As with Syracuse, a similar question faced Duke after 2008: who would replace Zack Greer and Matt Danowski, two of the greatest scorers in NCAA history. Ned Crotty was the most popular pick in January, and he’s lived up to that billing. The 2009 ACC Player of the Year started the season at midfield until coach John Danowski wisely moved him to attack. The senior’s 68 points are second only to North Carolina’s Billy Bitter (69) in Division I. Crotty is the NCAA’s top feeder (2.76 assists a game), and has taken the reins of Duke’s offense."
Best--Blue Prof:)

[greybeard]

I think that the "Underarmour" All America team is a cruel exploitation that serves only to throw more money and glamour at a sport that needs none of it. The industry that has grown up around things that used to be consider "play" because they were comes at a cost. Seeing the process in its nascent stages in lacrosse is all the more a turn off for someone who became a fan of the game when it was played with actual sticks and no one but a few watched. Kids passing and catching, making plays running and dodging, in a game that was far more about the players on the field than the strategy and direction imparted by coaches.

This All American team, and the game that will be played in Townsend, serve a few prep and private schools and select out from what I am sure is a wealth of equally talented players a couple of handfuls of them for special recognition and status, not to mention free trips and product, that in the end serves only to separate them still further from the seeming inclusiveness and freedom that made this sport attractive at least to me in the first place.

And, while all this is undoubtedly done in the name of the kids, it is adults who make the products, the coaches who control the kids or at least try to, and the media people who sell the package, who are enriched.

The rest of us end up having yet another reason to sit on the couch and watch, and that will include, more and more, the kids who will get shunted aside at younger and younger ages in favor of "athletes" with greater size, strength, and speed, and who therefore show more promise.

To me, this merger of lax and commercial interests is the beginning of the undoing of a game and the creation of another show, one which we all have seen already and exists all around us. So now, rather than speaking of the small followings that high school teams in such sports had, we hear about Unarmour All-Americans, Tewaaraton Trophy Winners presented by Brine, and have talking heads explaining to us who will win and why, rather than just letting the kids alone to have fun deciding it on the field.

[Indoor66]

I think that the "Underarmour" All America team is a cruel exploitation that serves only to throw more money and glamour at a sport that needs none of it. The industry that has grown up around things that used to be consider "play" because they were comes at a cost. Seeing the process in its nascent stages in lacrosse is all the more a turn off for someone who became a fan of the game when it was played with actual sticks and no one but a few watched. Kids passing and catching, making plays running and dodging, in a game that was far more about the players on the field than the strategy and direction imparted by coaches.

This All American team, and the game that will be played in Townsend, serve a few prep and private schools and select out from what I am sure is a wealth of equally talented players a couple of handfuls of them for special recognition and status, not to mention free trips and product, that in the end serves only to separate them still further from the seeming inclusiveness and freedom that made this sport attractive at least to me in the first place.

And, while all this is undoubtedly done in the name of the kids, it is adults who make the products, the coaches who control the kids or at least try to, and the media people who sell the package, who are enriched.

The rest of us end up having yet another reason to sit on the couch and watch, and that will include, more and more, the kids who will get shunted aside at younger and younger ages in favor of "athletes" with greater size, strength, and speed, and who therefore show more promise.

To me, this merger of lax and commercial interests is the beginning of the undoing of a game and the creation of another show, one which we all have seen already and exists all around us. So now, rather than speaking of the small followings that high school teams in such sports had, we hear about Unarmour All-Americans, Tewaaraton Trophy Winners presented by Brine, and have talking heads explaining to us who will win and why, rather than just letting the kids alone to have fun deciding it on the field.

I agree, Greybeard. Us older people probably look at things from a perspective similar to that which you expressed. I feel sadness at the thought of another sport being commercialized; of kids being pushed to succeed so they can profit via professional competition; and kids being pushed aside because they do not have the God given skills to compete.

Kind of the same type of sadness I feel when I read some of the BS in the Wall thread....

[4decadedukie]

I wholeheartedly agree with both of you.

I played high school and college lacrosse in the mid-1960s (yep, wooden sticks, not poles), when the game was geographically concentrated in my home (Long Island's North Shore), in the Baltimore region, and in the Mohawk Valley of upstate New York. Lax has come a LONG way in forty years, which is GREAT for the game, the players (and their families), the teams, the fans, and so forth. As you have commented, however, what is not so splendid is the sport’s ever-increasing commercialization. While I am not sure that the substantial growth and the much increased visibility lacrosse has enjoyed is possible without greater commercialization, I fear that commercial (and especially financial) domination will ruin the wonderful, comradely, and competitive game the last couple generations have so ardently enjoyed.
:(

[blueprofessor]

High: 67 °F RealFeel®: 66 °F
Morning showers; otherwise, mostly cloudy, breezy and cooler

Turnovers coming?

Best --Blue Prof:)

[greybeard]

I wholeheartedly agree with both of you.

I played high school and college lacrosse in the mid-1960s (yep, wooden sticks, not poles), when the game was geographically concentrated in my home (Long Island's North Shore), in the Baltimore region, and in the Mohawk Valley of upstate New York. Lax has come a LONG way in forty years, which is GREAT for the game, the players (and their families), the teams, the fans, and so forth. As you have commented, however, what is not so splendid is the sport’s ever-increasing commercialization. While I am not sure that the substantial growth and the much increased visibility lacrosse has enjoyed is possible without greater commercialization, I fear that commercial (and especially financial) domination will ruin the wonderful, comradely, and competitive game the last couple generations have so ardently enjoyed.
:(

My cousin played for a prep school on the North Shore in the early-mid 60's; went on to coach lax at the University of Arizona for 30 plus years (where it was and perhaps still is a club, not varsity, sport). Also coached the US Team in the LA Olympics when it was a demonstration sport. Mickey-Miles Felton is his name; did much to grow the game out West for the love of it. Maybe you played against him, or perhaps even with him.

[devildeac]

High: 67 °F RealFeel®: 66 °F
Morning showers; otherwise, mostly cloudy, breezy and cooler

Turnovers coming?

Best --Blue Prof:)


Hopefully lots of light blue turnovers...

[4decadedukie]

My cousin played for a prep school on the North Shore in the early-mid 60's; went on to coach lax at the University of Arizona for 30 plus years (where it was and perhaps still is a club, not varsity, sport). Also coached the US Team in the LA Olympics when it was a demonstration sport. Mickey-Miles Felton is his name; did much to grow the game out West for the love of it. Maybe you played against him, or perhaps even with him.

Really don't remember him, I'm sorry to say (of course, these days any of us who were in secondary schools in the mid-1960s are fortunate to remember anything). I played for Huntington High School in '63 and '64. Please tell him I wish him well. Roy Kiefer

[greybeard]

Really don't remember him, I'm sorry to say (of course, these days any of us who were in secondary schools in the mid-1960s are fortunate to remember anything). I played for Huntington High School in '63 and '64. Please tell him I wish him well. Roy Kiefer

Mickey lived in Great Neck and was not the greatest student, thus the prep school. Might have played for a year or two at Post. Mickey-Miles is quite a character; if you Google him and AU lax you will SEE.
I graduated Hewlett in '64; was on the basketball team. We lost to Wandy Williams and the rest of the Malverne team in the South Shore County Championship game in basketball. I read recently that Wandy is the only player to have been voted in the top 50 on the Island in both basketball and football.

Bruce Cohen, who was an All-American in both soccer and lax at Cornell, graduated Baldwin in I want to say '63. Don't know how I found my way to a lax game, but once I did and saw Bruce in action, I was sold. Would go when the weather was nice (we're talking Ithaca here) and I found myself near the field when a game was being played, which was pretty often as I was a gym rat and they played lax on a field adjacent to the men's gym. If only I had even a little bit of speed . . . . It is a great game to watch; must have been terrific to play.

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

....and ready to leave for Annapolis to watch the Devils give hell to the Heels on Sunday. Somebody please cross the weather god's palm with silver!

GO DUKE!
Love, Ima

[gotham devil]

Duke has 4 Under Armour All Americans coming in next year and UNC only has 3. Seems like Danowski is recruiting pretty well to me.

All Americans (http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/05/07/under-armour-all-america-classic-all-america-teams-announced/)

LOL. It's the junior year (2010), not 2009, where Carolina has been extremely successful with its aggression.

1. Nick Galasso, A, West Islip, NY North Carolina
2. Scott McWilliams, D, Mountain Lakes, NJ Virginia
3. Rob Emery, M, St. Ignatius, Ca Virginia
4. Luke Duprey, D, Phillips Andover Academy,NH Hockey Future*
5. Thomas Schreiber, M,St. Anthony's,NY Princeton
6. Will Campbell, M, Worthington Kilbourne, OH North Carolina
7. Mark McNeill, M, St. Mary's, MD North Carolina
8. Connor Hunt, D, Severna Park, MD North Carolina
9. Will Himler, A/M, Chaminade, NY Princeton
10. Joe Benedick, D, Upper Arlington, OH
11. Andrew Hodgson, A, West Islip, NY Syracuse*
12. Kevin Interlicchio, A, Yorktown, NY Johns Hopkins
13. Patrick Glading, A, Georgetown Prep, MD Virginia*, Harvard*
14 .Ben Seligmann, LSM/D, Delbarton, NJ Georgetown
15.Duncan Hutchins, M, Gilman, MD North Carolina
16. Brendan Rotanz, A/M, Fairfield Prep, CT Duke*
17. Adam Trombley, A, Penn Yan, NY Ohio State
18. Robert Posniewski, D, Georgetown Prep, MD
19.Stephen Aiken, A, Haverford, PA Penn State
20. John Urbank, D,Chaminade, NY Georgetown
21. Maxx Meyer, D, Half Hollow Hills East, NY
22. Jake Haley, G, Queen Anne's, MD Georgetown
23. Owen Van Arsdale, A, St. Anne's Belfield, VA Virginia
24. Henry Lobb, D, Malvern Prep, PA Duke
25. John Muti, G, Mountain Lakes, NJ Navy


They've also got three other honorable mention IL selections.

Danowski should be able to land Rotanz. He was at the recent game against St. John's cheering on his brother. As you can now see, Lax recruiting has sped up and kids are giving verbals faster than even basketball.



As for the current season at hand, Duke is now a 7/2 favorite to win the title and a 1 1/2 goal favorite this week against UNC-Chapel Hill.

http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/05/14/warrior-may-madness-wynn-casino-lacrosse-odds-for-ncaa-quarterfinals/

Syracuse will now play the winner of Duke/UNC-CH.

[4decadedukie]

Slightly off-topic re Duke Men's Lax: I was surprised that Cornell defeated Princeton in the second game at Hofstra, although Princeton's performance in the second half was far better than in the first two periods.

Sunday, 1430, ESPN-U, Duke/UNC for the last position in the Final Four.

[blueprofessor]

Slightly off-topic re Duke Men's Lax: I was surprised that Cornell defeated Princeton in the second game at Hofstra, although Princeton's performance in the second half was far better than in the first two periods.

Sunday, 1430, ESPN-U, Duke/UNC for the last position in the Final Four.

Hot goaltender and smart ,low risk play by Cornell!

Best--Blue Prof

[blueprofessor]

Slightly off-topic re Duke Men's Lax: I was surprised that Cornell defeated Princeton in the second game at Hofstra, although Princeton's performance in the second half was far better than in the first two periods.

Sunday, 1430, ESPN-U, Duke/UNC for the last position in the Final Four.

That and Duke-unc game will place last 2 teams in FF.
Best--Blue Prof:)

[captmojo]

I wholeheartedly agree with both of you.

I played high school and college lacrosse in the mid-1960s (yep, wooden sticks, not poles), when the game was geographically concentrated in my home (Long Island's North Shore), in the Baltimore region, and in the Mohawk Valley of upstate New York. Lax has come a LONG way in forty years, which is GREAT for the game, the players (and their families), the teams, the fans, and so forth. As you have commented, however, what is not so splendid is the sport’s ever-increasing commercialization. While I am not sure that the substantial growth and the much increased visibility lacrosse has enjoyed is possible without greater commercialization, I fear that commercial (and especially financial) domination will ruin the wonderful, comradely, and competitive game the last couple generations have so ardently enjoyed.
:(
Well, you know it isn't simply something that football players do in the off-season to keep in shape anymore. :rolleyes: I remember when this was believed. It has become more and more popular every year.

[roywhite]

7-4 Duke over UNC at half-time.

[burnspbesq]

Carolina is sliding early on defense, and so far Duke has been inconsistent in making the extra pass to find the open man.

Manley has been doing a very nice job on Bitter. And Hunt's shoulder must be a real issue, because he's been invisible.

Duke is inverting defensively against Carolina's first midfield, putting McFayden on Delaney. If I'm Joe Breschi, I invert offensively; whichever attackman is being defended by a short stick gets to go one-on-one from behind the net. Make Ross or Montelli or Solie prove they can get the job done.

Far from over, but so far, so good.

[CameronBornAndBred]

10-8 Duke lead going into the 4th. GTHC!!

[BlueintheFace]

Defensive issues for Duke right now... hope we don't give this one away.

[arnie]

score? I don't get the U.

[gep]

score? I don't get the U.

per GameTracker... 1:54 left... Duke 12, unc 11

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Duke wins! 12-11 final!

[CameronBornAndBred]

Duke wins! 12-11 final!
GTHC GTHC!!! Best of luck in the FF Blue Devils!

[terrih]

So awesome! Congrats to the team.

Wish I got ESPNU. "Watching" via Gametracker is lame.

[wallyman]

incredibly hard to beat another good team three times in a year.
especially sweet when it's the holes.

fabulous win. defense shut carolina out over last 6 and a half minutes...

[missfinch]

Waaay too close for comfort for me (had to go to the grocery store during the second quarter) and thought for sure we were going to OT when we lost the ball there late. Go Duke! GTHC!

[burnspbesq]

Interesting how a guy who isn't even on the field dictates strategy at the end. With Carolina's goalie out playing defense, Duke chooses not to go to the goal. Dano would rather have a one-goal lead and possession than a two-goal lead and a faceoff. Tells you something about the respect Duke has for Walterhoefer.

Well done, lads. Now for a double dose of blood pressure medication, and then on to Foxboro.

[missfinch]

Who will Greg cheer for in Foxboro?

[roywhite]

I saw on another site that we play Syracuse next? I thought it was UVa again. At any rate, another Final Four...outstanding!

[chrishoke]

Congrats to the team - great win - heel goalies made several point blank saves in the 4th to keexp it tight - on to the final four in foxboro - the cuse game should be a classic - i don't remember us playing before.

GTHCGTH
GTHCGTH
GTHCGTH
GTHCGTH
GTHCGTH
GTHCGTH
GTHCGTH
GTHCGTH
GTHCGTH
GTHCGTH
GTHCGTH
GTHCGTH

[grossbus]

"Dano would rather have a one-goal lead and possession than a two-goal lead and a faceoff."

that works fine unless you turn it over like we did. geez that was nerve wracking.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Beating carolina today was way more fun than beating the NJ Devils! ;)

[Rogue]

Great win,, nothing better than making the Final 4 and eliminating the holes at the same time.. :D



GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DUKE

[Namtilal]

the cuse game should be a classic - i don't remember us playing before.

I was at an elite eight game at the dome in 1994, when Duke took an enormously talented Syracuse team to the last minute before losing. A great effort, and one of the best games in Duke history up to that point.

We're a bit more established at this point, albeit not yet at Syracuse's stature.

[devildeac]

Do we get triple Carlyle Cup points for beating them 3 times in one season?:rolleyes::D

[Indoor66]

Do we get triple Carlyle Cup points for beating them 3 times in one season?:rolleyes::D

Speaking to that question, does anyone know that standings in the Cup race for this year?

[weezie]

Beating Carolina, and knowing that they are crying their tiny beady eyes out on their massive damp pillows, is even sweeter than scoring an empty net goal on the "oooooooh, so young and scrappy chitown blackhawks, aren't they just the cutest!"

What a great day, Wings and Blue Devils UBER ALLES!!!!!

PS, Hell Carolina, just get your keisters in there.

[DST Fan]

Like the ACC championship game, Petracca kept Carolina in the game. I thought it was crucial that Sam Payton controlled a few face-offs in the 4th quarter when Carolina climbed back in the game after being down 12-8. Ned Crotty played a very nice game-- two goals and he tore the Carolina defense apart with six assists.

[JBDuke]

Speaking to that question, does anyone know that standings in the Cup race for this year?

Cup standings can be found at the Carlyle Cup site (Isn't Google amazing?): http://www.carlylecup.com/results.html

[devildeac]

Speaking to that question, does anyone know that standings in the Cup race for this year?

Good School-11
evil school-15

:(:mad:

[burnspbesq]

Like the ACC championship game, Petracca kept Carolina in the game. I thought it was crucial that Sam Payton controlled a few face-offs in the 4th quarter when Carolina climbed back in the game after being down 12-8. Ned Crotty played a very nice game-- two goals and he tore the Carolina defense apart with six assists.

Young Mr. Petracca is going to be a pain in the drain for the next three years. The save he made on Rotanz when Robert picked a rebound out of the air after an initial Duke shot had hit the post was just ridiculous.

I think conditioning is an issue with Walterhoefer. We got four of six in the fourth quarter after getting eight of 21 in the first three.

[burnspbesq]

Duke's second midfield unit outscored the first, 3-1, today, plus we got a goal from a LSM.

Sure hope Ross and Schoeffel show up on Saturday.

[blueprofessor]

Crotty won the T today for 2 goals and 6 assists.
Manley superb on Bitter (2 assists only).
Magnet stick McKee had 12 ground balls (14 last game) and for 1st time this season, Heels lost the ground ball war.Duke 36-30(huge), which helped overcome Walterhoefer's face-off (slight) advantage of 15--12.Duke,with Constabile and Payton, won 11 of last 21 FOs(big!).
Howell had 3 goals and 8 Devils scored.
Duke was 0/5 in man-up opps, but killed a 2 man under penalty to preserve a 3-0 lead(Huge!).
This team is mentally and physically TOUGH and its defense just shut down the hottest scorer in D-1.
Schroeder made many fine saves.
We have balance, great D, scoring from everyone, and no pressure.
Could be our year!
Go,laxers!
Best--Blue Prof:)

[DST Fan]

Young Mr. Petracca is going to be a pain in the drain for the next three years. The save he made on Rotanz when Robert picked a rebound out of the air after an initial Duke shot had hit the post was just ridiculous.



He also had a save on Quinzani from point blank range that was hard to believe.

[Ignatius07]

Interesting how a guy who isn't even on the field dictates strategy at the end. With Carolina's goalie out playing defense, Duke chooses not to go to the goal. Dano would rather have a one-goal lead and possession than a two-goal lead and a faceoff. Tells you something about the respect Duke has for Walterhoefer.

I'm a novice lacrosse fan but have followed the team a little over the last few years and was there today. Maybe Danowski had a lot of respect for Walterhoefer (I assume that was the UNC guy taking faceoffs?), but to my eyes faceoffs are the weakest part of this Duke team and were also last year. I distinctly remember Duke continually shooting itself in the foot last year in the Final Four by its inability to win faceoffs. Even against Navy we weren't especially good, and the same continued today.

It was a great atmosphere at Navy today. It seemed like there were more Duke than Carolina fans, but, just like basketball, it seemed like all neutral fans cheered against us.

[burnspbesq]

I'm a novice lacrosse fan but have followed the team a little over the last few years and was there today. Maybe Danowski had a lot of respect for Walterhoefer (I assume that was the UNC guy taking faceoffs?), but to my eyes faceoffs are the weakest part of this Duke team and were also last year. I distinctly remember Duke continually shooting itself in the foot last year in the Final Four by its inability to win faceoffs. Even against Navy we weren't especially good, and the same continued today.

It was a great atmosphere at Navy today. It seemed like there were more Duke than Carolina fans, but, just like basketball, it seemed like all neutral fans cheered against us.

I don't have access to last year's stats to verify this, but my impression has been that Duke is significantly improved on faceoffs this year. They win 55 percent on the season (our next opponent, Syracuse, is at 50 percent), and that includes three games against Carolina. Walterhoefer is at close to 65 percent for the season, and Duke held him to 55 percent today and right around 50 percent in the ACC championship game. Duke was 12-for-23 against Navy.

Payton is a lot better this year than last, and Costabile is better than Catalino.

[jimsumner]

Duke won 53.3% of its face-offs last season. Payton was at 59.3%, Rob Pellington 51.4% and Terence Molinari 42.2%.

[Ignatius07]

Duke won 53.3% of its face-offs last season. Payton was at 59.3%, Rob Pellington 51.4% and Terence Molinari 42.2%.

Is that good for an elite team? My guess would be no if the national leader this year is at 65% Perhaps a diehard can chime in.

Anyway it looks like Hopkins won 13 of 22 face-offs last year, which isn't as bad as I remembered but still probably a contributor to a loss in a relatively low-scoring game (10-9).

[blueprofessor]

Is that good for an elite team? My guess would be no if the national leader this year is at 65% Perhaps a diehard can chime in.

Anyway it looks like Hopkins won 13 of 22 face-offs last year, which isn't as bad as I remembered but still probably a contributor to a loss in a relatively low-scoring game (10-9).

Duke has so much speed and pronounced defensive and scrambling dexterity (taking the ball away and getting ground balls) that many of those face-off wins turn into turnovers and Duke possessions. Also, Duke of late has been an accurate shooting team. We have 3 competent face-off players with different styles--that tends to wear the opposing player down especially when that opp player takes the huge majority of the face-offs.
For instance in the UNC game, Walterhoefer won 5 of 6 f/os in the first period, but 10 of 21 (and 2 of 6 in the last period) thereafter.That was a huge component of our win, together with balanced scoring,great D, winning the ground ball battle(1st time UNC lost it all season), and having mental and physical toughness.We can win the tight games.

Best--Blue Prof:)
P. S. If you can, read the UNC press release. It sounds like the most heroic loss in recent sports history. Then consider what was left out.

[4decadedukie]

Crotty won the T today for 2 goals and 6 assists.
Manley superb on Bitter (2 assists only).
Magnet stick McKee had 12 ground balls (14 last game) and for 1st time this season, Heels lost the ground ball war.Duke 36-30(huge), which helped overcome Walterhoefer's face-off (slight) advantage of 15--12.Duke,with Constabile and Payton, won 11 of last 21 FOs(big!).
Howell had 3 goals and 8 Devils scored.
Duke was 0/5 in man-up opps, but killed a 2 man under penalty to preserve a 3-0 lead(Huge!).
This team is mentally and physically TOUGH and its defense just shut down the hottest scorer in D-1.
Schroeder made many fine saves.
We have balance, great D, scoring from everyone, and no pressure.
Could be our year!
Go,laxers!
Best--Blue Prof:)

I agree with every statement you articulated, BlueProf, despite yesterday's UNC game being the ultimate "nail biter." I was especially pleased to see Crotty with EIGHT points (two goals), when the often-lauded Bitter had only two points (zero goals). This not only is indicative of outstanding Duke defense, but it also makes Crotty the leader for the T and places him ahead of Bitter in total points this season.

Further, yesterday was the only time this year when UNC lost the crucial contest for ground balls; this is another example of Duke's excellence in the unspectacular things that make a decisive difference. In addition, Schroeder again receives kudos for many stops, every one of which was clearly critical in the Blue Devil’s eventual victory. Finally, our midfielders’ contributions, on both defense and OFFENSE, were plainly significant.

Accordingly, great congratulations to our team and coaches, and on to Foxborough where we shall initially face what I believe is the other Championship-level squad in the Final Four: Syracuse. It is my considered opinion that the Orange and the Blue Devils are marginally superior to UVa (we, obviously, SOUNDLY defeated the Cavaliers twice in late-April) and to Cornell (notwithstanding our mid-March loss, Duke’s last loss – we now have the Division I’s longest winning streak). I am certain that others will disagree with this assertion, but I believe Syracuse and Duke are the two best teams in the nation in late-May. Our National Semifinal should be a superb game; I would like to predict a Duke victory, but I simply cannot do so – in my opinion, the margin is too slim for either team to be perceptibly favored.

For those DBR participants and Dukies who do not follow lacrosse with intensity, a concluding point is worth considering. This was supposed to be an “off year” for Duke, after last year’s outstanding – nationally ranked – alumni completed their eligibilities’. Making it to the Final Four, with nine consecutive wins (three over UNC, two over UVa, and one over Navy), undefeated in April and May – when it really counts – and finally with an overall 15 and 3 record while playing an exceptionally difficult schedule is some “off season!"

GO BLUE DEVILS – THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AWAITS!

[wallyman]

Don't think I'd put Duke or Syracuse above UVA, the most talented team, which faltered during the regular season but is now loaded, healthy and destroying people. Beating them 3 times in a year would be truly remarkable.

Either way, great Final 4. Duke has had a wonderful season no matter what comes next. In some ways, it will be a blessing this year for them to come to the tournament without the crushing pressures of the past two years -- the post-hoax hysteria of '07 and the expectation that they had to win it all or be seen as failures of '08. This year should be easier psychologically, and the players and Danowski deserve credit for a remarkable run. Two more wins would be a perfect finale.

[4decadedukie]

Don't think I'd put Duke or Syracuse above UVA, the most talented team, which faltered during the regular season but is now loaded, healthy and destroying people. Beating them 3 times in a year would be truly remarkable.

Either way, great Final 4. Duke has had a wonderful season no matter what comes next. In some ways, it will be a blessing this year for them to come to the tournament without the crushing pressures of the past two years -- the post-hoax hysteria of '07 and the expectation that they had to win it all or be seen as failures of '08. This year should be easier psychologically, and the players and Danowski deserve credit for a remarkable run. Two more wins would be a perfect finale.

Come now, Wallyman, we ROUTED Virginia twice on 11 and 24 April, by (respectively) 5 and 11 goal margins. With respect, I simply do not understand how you -- or the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee's seeding, for that matter -- can describe UVa as "the most talented team” when Duke recently defeated Virginia TWICE, in head-to-head competition, and by the aforementioned substantial margins.

Further -- and significantly -- of Virginia’s top-tier wins, most have been by a single goal, specifically: UNC 11-10, Maryland 10-9, Syracuse 13-12, and Hopkins 16-15. While I acknowledge that excellent teams pullout close victories, repeated one-goal margins in each of these games were decisive. What would the pervasive opinion of Virginia’s season be if -- in addition to their two losses to our Blue Devils -- the Cavaliers had also lost only half of these single goal victories against tournament-level clubs?

I respect UVa and their Men’s Lacrosse program; however: (a) their two-loss record (17-2) is only one better than Duke’s (19-3), against the same exceptional competitive level; (b) we crushed them twice during April; and (c) their margins-of-victory over top-level competition have been rather inconsistent.

None of this suggests Virginia is not an excellent team or the Cavaliers may not become this year’s national champions; nevertheless, I believe it is quite a stretch to indicate they are "the most talented team.”

[wallyman]

FourDecade: Believe me, I'd love for you to be right. I'm not an expert on lacrosse. But I'd say Virginia's tournament record 18-6 against Villanova and 19-8 against Hopkins, the team that ruins us every spring, is pretty compelling. We clobbered Hopkins last year in the regular season and then you know what happened in May. So much as I wish it weren't true, I'd look at our two victories over Virginia and be more likely to think how hard it would be to get 3 than as some kind of sign we've got their number now and forever. Virginia began the year rated #1, they have great young, improving talent, and I'd guess they're putting it together. That said, I'm sure any of the three can win, and Cornell beat us early, so you can't count them out either...

[blueprofessor]

Excerpts from Inside Lacrosse concerning 4 players from Duke and from Syracuse who should have big games due to matchups:

"Duke

Max Quinzani, Jr, Attack
One of the most interesting aspects of Quinzani’s development this season has been his emergence as a ballcarrier when Duke goes yellow (which isn’t very often), meaning they’re looking to possess the ball without attacking the goal, usually while subbing or killing the clock.

If the Orange-Blue Devil matchup turns out to be as high-powered as expected, securing the ball, valuing each possession and keeping the ball away from Syracuse’s offense is going to be more valuable than usual. Add his typical propensity for scoring goals, and Quinzani is worth his weight in gold.

Mike Manley, Soph, Defense
Mike Catalino, Sr, Midfield
Steve Schoeffel, Sr, Midfield
Syracuse

Dan Hardy, Sr, Midfield
Against Duke last week, six of UNC’s 11 goals came from the midfield and sophomore phenom attackman Billy Bitter was held to two assists. While Syracuse needs to get more from its attack this week, they’re better served being paced by the midfield, and that starts with Hardy.

Hardy has the train moving in the right direction after scoring twice against Maryland last week, and if he can get his shot on the run going like he did in last year’s national championship game, Duke’s defense will have to make serious adjustments to move someone onto No. 22 with the size to slow him down.

John Galloway, Soph, Goalie
Matt Tierney, Jr, Defense
Tim Desko, R-Fr, Attack"

Best regards--Blueprofessor:)

Good luck against everybody but us, John Wall!

[DST Fan]

FourDecade: Believe me, I'd love for you to be right. I'm not an expert on lacrosse. But I'd say Virginia's tournament record 18-6 against Villanova and 19-8 against Hopkins, the team that ruins us every spring, is pretty compelling. We clobbered Hopkins last year in the regular season and then you know what happened in May. So much as I wish it weren't true, I'd look at our two victories over Virginia and be more likely to think how hard it would be to get 3 than as some kind of sign we've got their number now and forever. Virginia began the year rated #1, they have great young, improving talent, and I'd guess they're putting it together. That said, I'm sure any of the three can win, and Cornell beat us early, so you can't count them out either...


I am not sure how much of the UVA blowout of Hopkins can be attributed to UVA's play. I didn't arrive at the game until midway through the third quarter, but it was apparent that the team that showed up on Sunday was not the Hopkins team of the past two years. Hopkins had all kinds of problems with turnovers and clears.

[blueprofessor]

Other seniors are considering the NCAA- granted option.
http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/05/19/ncaa-lacrosse-crotty-to-return-to-duke-for-final-year-of-eligibility/

I think this announcement will damage his T prospects and cast the team as heavies at the FF.Bad timing,but I admire C's honesty.

Let's win it this year!
Best--Blue Prof:)

[4decadedukie]

Other seniors are considering the NCAA- granted option.
http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/05/19/ncaa-lacrosse-crotty-to-return-to-duke-for-final-year-of-eligibility/

I think this announcement will damage his T prospects and cast the team as heavies at the FF.Bad timing,but I admire C's honesty.

Let's win it this year!
Best--Blue Prof:)

Blue - While this is great 2010 news, I, unfortunately, I must agree with your assessment. However, as you know, Division I lacrosse folks tend to be a tightly integrated community -- particularly, including the parents -- largely due to the constrained high/prep school connections to the limited number of top collegiate lacrosse programs. Most of this community felt deep sympathy for Duke during the "hoax," believed in the innocence of the Duke Three, and rejoiced when the truth became evident and universally known. I believe/hope this will somewhat mitigate what is certain to be much "Duke gets two bites at the apple" talk this weekend, in hotel restaurants and other watering holes proximate to Foxborough.

Warm regards -- 4DD

[Johnboy]

I just read some of the comments after the linked article. I feel a little dumber now, and like I need a shower. Yeech.

[blueprofessor]

I just read some of the comments after the linked article. I feel a little dumber now, and like I need a shower. Yeech.

No need to feel dumb. Anger and crude behavior are often concomitants of pure jealousy.

Best regards--Blue Prof:)

[blueprofessor]

1st---Crotty (A)
2nd---former Dukie Greer (A)
McKee (D)
3rd----Quinzani (A)
Ross (M)
HM---Constabile (M)
How can Manley not be 1st,2nd,3rd,or HM? There were 9 Ds on HM!:confused:
Clausen 1st team AA and Manley nowhere.
Suspect.
Best--Blue Prof:)

[roywhite]

Blue - While this is great 2010 news, I, unfortunately, I must agree with your assessment. However, as you know, Division I lacrosse folks tend to be a tightly integrated community -- particularly, including the parents -- largely due to the constrained high/prep school connections to the limited number of top collegiate lacrosse programs. Most of this community felt deep sympathy for Duke during the "hoax," believed in the innocence of the Duke Three, and rejoiced when the truth became evident and universally known. I believe/hope this will somewhat mitigate what is certain to be much "Duke gets two bites at the apple" talk this weekend, in hotel restaurants and other watering holes proximate to Foxborough.

Warm regards -- 4DD

I don't know all the particulars but weren't the Duke 2006 and 2007 recruiting classes majorly impacted by the hoax scandal? Either in commitments who changed their minds, or prospects who simply looked elsewhere, there must have been a big toll. Those 2006 and 2007 prospects are now sophomores and juniors; some good ones who might have gone to Duke are playing on other squads.

All the more reason to be impressed with the achievements of this team. Great job by Coach Danowski and the players.

Bring it home, guys.

[blueprofessor]

I don't know all the particulars but weren't the Duke 2006 and 2007 recruiting classes majorly impacted by the hoax scandal? Either in commitments who changed their minds, or prospects who simply looked elsewhere, there must have been a big toll. Those 2006 and 2007 prospects are now sophomores and juniors; some good ones who might have gone to Duke are playing on other squads.

All the more reason to be impressed with the achievements of this team. Great job by Coach Danowski and the players.

Bring it home, guys.

demolished a truly great recruiting class of 7 stud players in 2006.:mad:
Max Q, Molinari,and McKee came but Clausen (AA 1st team D) went to UVA, 2009 All-ECAC 1st team (M) Kocis went to Gtown, 2nd team 2009 All-ECAC Craig Dowd went to Gtown, and Tom Dodge, excellent D and picked by IL as the Clutch Defender (April 14,2009), went to Penn.
These were yet more unintended consequences of the many dishonorable people(faculty,admin,prosecutors,hate groups,Duke hospital employees,investigators,NY Times,Selena Roberts,local and national media,et al) who settled over the players like vultures---so certain they must be guilty.
We lost a lot of players that would have been stars for us the last 3 years.
Would they have been the difference in our recent 1 goal losses in the FF? Yes.
Best--Blue Prof:)

[blueprofessor]

"Mike Manley vs Kenny Nims. It is expected that Duke sophomore D Mike Manley (jersey #37) will defend Syracuse senior A Kenny Nims (#10, 27 goals, 41 assists). Manley is a native of Keuka Park, NY, and nearly attended Syracuse. Players Manley has defended in the NCAA Tournament — Navy’s Bruce Nechanicky and North Carolina’s Billy Bitter — have combined for one goal and two assists. Manley was left off the All-American lists and may enter Saturday with even more incentive than usual.

Spicy Wings. The wing play on face-offs will be fascinating. Duke junior D Parker McKee (#35) has 26 groundballs in the NCAA Tournament. Syracuse counters with two of the best wings in the game in sophomore LSM Joel White (#11) and senior MF Matt Abbott (#3, 12 goals, 7 assists). Duke’s six-on-six defense has been iron-clad in its nine-game winning streak; Syracuse will do well to push the tempo even more than usual and will try to get 4-on-3 and 5-on-4 opportunities.

Special K. Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski gave the lacrosse team an impassioned speech before the NCAA Tournament and also gave each team member a copy of his new book, with a personalized inscription in each one.

Opposites Attract. Syracuse has won a record 10 NCAA championships; Duke has not won a title. Yet both teams enter with similar playing styles — they are loose and confident and each has a swagger. This game has the potential to be a classic.

Noise. The crowd in Foxborough is likely to be very heavily in Syracuse’s favor. Not only are there numerous New York teams playing this weekend, but it’s hard to imagine Virginia fans rooting for Duke, considering the Blue Devils swept the season series by a combined 31-15 and have won seven in a row in the series.

Syracuse was rather listless in a semifinal against Virginia last year and trailed by four goals when Abbott scored a man-down transition goal in the third quarter. That goal got the Syracuse fans into the game. They were a factor the rest of the weekend. Given the momentum the crowd can help generate, it will be easier for the Orange to make a comeback than for Duke to do so."

Go,Duke!
Best regards--Blueprofessor:)

[terrih]

Let's go Duke! I almost made the trip out to Boston, but couldn't make it work! Will have to cheer from Tacoma, WA instead.

-Terri

[dukebsbll14]

GO DUKE!!! I have a feeling this is our year. Weren't the seniors this year the frosh during the whole lacrosse thing in 2006? It would be nice to get them a national championship.


But the big question is...who does Greg Paulus root for?
GO DUKE!!!

[-bdbd]

After all of the recent close-calls and disappointments...... would it be sweet to pull out a NC in a year that expectations were relatively low???? You gotta root for these guys, after everything this program has been through. If they do, they will have EARNED it!

Go Duke Laxers! We're pulling for you --- loudly!!!

-bdbd :D :D :D

[godukerocks]

Right now, it's 17-7 Syracuse.

Not near as heartbreaking as the Hopkins losses, but plain and simple, this sucks.

[soccerstud2210]

terrible loss.

good year duke.

announcers just said that duke should be the #1 preseason pick for next year especially with ned crotty coming back

maybe next year is the year to bring it home!

[Kewlswim]

Hi,

Why does the stadium play music when Syracuse scores and remain silent when Duke scores?

I've decided I don't like Boston for Duke NCAA venues--hoops and LAX didn't fair so well there.

I never thought I would say this, but this LAX loss hurt me as much as some Duke hoops losses in the FF. I took so much garbage (still do) over the LAX hoax. ugh

GO DUKE!

[formerdukeathlete]

terrible loss.

good year duke.

announcers just said that duke should be the #1 preseason pick for next year especially with ned crotty coming back

maybe next year is the year to bring it home!

I kept waiting for some adjustments, subs, improved face-offs.

any lacrosse alums wish to comment on how we played today.

[blueprofessor]

http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/05/23/warrior-may-madness-ncaa-semifinals-in-game-blog-syracuse-vs-duke/

Apparently largest margin in 30 FF games.Too many Syracuse weapons on D and O.

Thanks for a great year and a 4th FF in 4 straight complete seasons!

Best--Blueprofessor

[blueprofessor]

http://www.insidelacrosse.com/page.cfm?PageRID=1&Division=1&hidecontent=yes#SCORE207592

Outshot 48--32; Groundballs S.36--33; Faceoffs: S.18--10; Crotty 2 assists, 0 goals;Q 3 goals,Howell 3 goals,Ross 1 goal.
It would have required a phenomenal goalie performance today to have kept Duke in it.Ned prob lost the T today to Max ,esp. if Cornell (up 7--2) continues to dominate UVA.
Next year ,guys!

Best--Blue Prof:)

[blueprofessor]

Syracuse had best offensive output of season,better depth, dominated mid--field.
Duke could not handle S's D pressure.... and more.
http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/05/23/warrior-may-madness-duke-syracuse-report-from-ncaa-lacrosse-semifinal/#comment-47607

Best--Blueprofessor
I hope it is not becoming a psyche-out for us now in the FF:
Duke’s Max Quinzani: “We always come in here the same way. We come here very confident. They punched us in the mouth early, give them credit for that. … They didn’t allow us to have long possessions and then we started running around like chickens with our heads cut off.”

“Right off the bat they pressured us all over the place. We couldn’t get around. I know that first play, I wanted to take a wing dodge, we couldn’t even get it to my side.”

[miramar]

That 17-7 final was a real shame, but it does remind me of the 30-point defeat that MBB had in the 1990 national semifinals against UNLV, which I believe is the worst loss in Final Four history.

Needless to say, Duke came back and won it all the next year. Let's hope that history repeats itself in MLX.

[godukerocks]

Hi,

Why does the stadium play music when Syracuse scores and remain silent when Duke scores?

I've decided I don't like Boston for Duke NCAA venues--hoops and LAX didn't fair so well there.

I never thought I would say this, but this LAX loss hurt me as much as some Duke hoops losses in the FF. I took so much garbage (still do) over the LAX hoax. ugh

GO DUKE!

I agree that Boston wasn't the best of venues for us this year. However, I do remember hearing music after we scored, it just wasnt as loud and noticable as Zombie Nation.

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

...I'd rather bring home on the bus! Bless their hearts.
Love, Ima

[NYC Duke Fan]

There ia no question that Duke has one of the top lacrosse programs, but until they win an National Championship they will not be considered an elite program such as Hopkins, Syracuse, Princeton and UVA.

[formerdukeathlete]

There ia no question that Duke has one of the top lacrosse programs, but until they win an National Championship they will not be considered an elite program such as Hopkins, Syracuse, Princeton and UVA.

Before the Crystal Mangum mess, imo, we were on track to become the elite program. Add back the recruits we lost when the status of our program was in question, as blueprofessor pointed out, and we won the finals last year and would not have been manhandled today.

There is another part of the equation, though - coaching - when players are running around "like chickens with their heads cut off," a coach should step in (immediately) calm the troops and adjust.

[NYC Duke Fan]

Before the Crystal Mangum mess, imo, we were on track to become the elite program. Add back the recruits we lost when the status of our program was in question, as blueprofessor pointed out, and we won the finals last year and would not have been manhandled today.

There is another part of the equation, though - coaching - when players are running around "like chickens with their heads cut off," a coach should step in (immediately) calm the troops and adjust.

I thought that Danowski is considered to be an excellent coach; am I wrong ?

[DST Fan]

I thought that Danowski is considered to be an excellent coach; am I wrong ?

Coach Danowski's three teams have accomplished the following results:

2007: The team defeated the #1 ranked team in the FF semifinals, and lost to the #3 ranked team by one goal in the championship game. In addition, the team competed that year (the first year after the shortened season) with numerous distractions that created a circus-like atmosphere-- which was particluarly evident in the media coverage at the FF.

2008: The team was ranked #1 most of the year and entered the FF as the #1 seed. In the semifinals, the team lost to the #4 ranked team by one goal.

2009: This was considered a rebuilding year after the team lost the consensus player of the year (Danowski) and at least four other All Americans (Greer, O'Hara, D. Loftus, and McDevitt). In March, the team was ranked 13th but turned the season around by beating the #1 team twice and winning the ACC championship. The team entered the FF ranked #3 and lost yesterday to the team that likely will win the national championship.

Of the three years, some might characterize 2008 as a disappointment-- although I would not agree. In any event, I think Coach Danowski is doing just fine.

[blueprofessor]

after the Duke and Virginia losses.
"...Duke and UVa were wildly overrated this year and that no way either of them would have made the final four if the NCAA committe, in conjunction with the U, did not unconscionably mismatch Cornell and Princeton.... I know Cornell would have beaten Duke.

My other point of course is that they failed to mention that Cornell led my sophomore Siebald, a Teewhatever finalist that year as well, was undefeated and still did not get a number one ranking; made it to the semis; lost Siebald to one of the cheapest shots ever in lax, and as a consequence lost to an inferior Duke team by a goal.



Whoever wins we are at least assured that it is not a wildly overrated Duke team, nor is it UVa, both of which misstake turning people over in transition or in the midfield for real defense.
Neither Duke nor UVa was worth a darn in the half court defense and were moribund on offense against teams for Upper NY State who understand the game much better, understand that there are two sides to the ball, and know how to play both.

Calling Duke an elite lax program this year was sophistry. Not calling Cornell one of the elite programs of the last 3 years is a travisty. Later, dude."
Link:http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/05/23/warrior-may-madness-duke-syracuse-report-from-ncaa-lacrosse-semifinal/


Well, well.

Best regards--Blueprofessor:)

[Stray Gator]

after the Duke and Virginia losses.
"...Duke and UVa were wildly overrated this year and that no way either of them would have made the final four if the NCAA committe, in conjunction with the U, did not unconscionably mismatch Cornell and Princeton.... I know Cornell would have beaten Duke.

My other point of course is that they failed to mention that Cornell led my sophomore Siebald, a Teewhatever finalist that year as well, was undefeated and still did not get a number one ranking; made it to the semis; lost Siebald to one of the cheapest shots ever in lax, and as a consequence lost to an inferior Duke team by a goal.



Whoever wins we are at least assured that it is not a wildly overrated Duke team, nor is it UVa, both of which misstake turning people over in transition or in the midfield for real defense.
Neither Duke nor UVa was worth a darn in the half court defense and were moribund on offense against teams for Upper NY State who understand the game much better, understand that there are two sides to the ball, and know how to play both.

Calling Duke an elite lax program this year was sophistry. Not calling Cornell one of the elite programs of the last 3 years is a travisty. Later, dude."
Link:http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/05/23/warrior-may-madness-duke-syracuse-report-from-ncaa-lacrosse-semifinal/


Well, well.

Best regards--Blueprofessor:)

Ordinarily, I would have felt enormous sympathy for the Cornell team and fans after the way they lost the championship to Syracuse in overtime today--Cornell had possession and a 1-goal lead with only 18 seconds left in the game, but they turned it over and allowed Syracuse to score the tying goal with less than 5 seconds remaining. In light of greybeard's nasty swipe at our team, however, the only thought that comes to mind is "instant karma."

[burnspbesq]

FWIW, one knowledgeable observer thinks that Duke will be the 2010 pre-season number one.

http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/05/26/top-ten-teams-for-2010/

[blueprofessor]

The Tewaaraton Trophy will be awarded on Thursday night in Washington, DC. Here are the five finalists, plus their chances of taking away the trophy.

Matt Abott, Syracuse
Odds of winning: 3/1
"He’s the player representing the national champions, which has been the magic formula for previous Tewaaraton winners.."



Ned Crotty, Duke
Odds of winning: 4/1
"Senior attackman led the nation in assists, with 55, and added 23 goals. Was particularly effective against the ACC. In six games against conference opponents, he had 11 goals and 22 assists and the Blue Devils went 5-1.

Overall, Duke is 17-2 against ACC teams in Crotty’s career. The Blue Devils also have made the Final Four in each of the past three seasons. Opponents are not done dealing with Crotty yet — he is spending his final year of eligibility with the Blue Devils."


His chances took a hit when Smith held him scoreless over the final 49-plus minutes of a 17-7 loss to Syracuse in the semifinals."

Danny Glading, Virginia
Odds of Winning: 6/1




Zack Greer, Bryant
Odds of Winning: 25/1








Max Seibald, Cornell
Odds of Winning: 3/1

The sentimental favorite after how close Cornell came to winning its first national title since 1977. Winner of the Lowe’s Senior Class award; that award went to the Tewaaraton winner last year, Mike Levielle of Syracuse.

Best---Blue Prof:)

[blueprofessor]

Northwestern's Hannah Nielsen Sr. (midfield) won in 2009 for the 2nd year in a row.
Duke's Sr. Carolyn Davis was a 2009 finalist.
Duke's Katie Chrest won in 2005.

************************************************** *******************************

On the men's side, Matt Danowski of Duke won in 2007.


Cornell Sr. midfielder Max Seibald won the 2009 award. Excerpts from Inside Lacrosse:

"This spring, Seibald had 28 goals and 10 assists, adding 46 GBs and a pair of game-winning goals for good measure. He also served as Cornell’s captain and was as noted for his off-field leadership of the Big Red as he was for his game-changing abilities. On his career, Seibald totaled 91 goals and 50 assists, scooping 157 groundballs and helping carry the Big Red back to the forefront of the Ivy League under head coach Jeff Tambroni.

While tallying less points than other finalists Zack Greer, Ned Crotty and Danny Glading (but more than Matt Abbott), Seibald’s support presumably came from his status as being both a preternaturally talented leader for his team as well as his all-around game, highlighted by his physicality in the midfield and scoring touch from up top.

Seibald is the second player in the last three seasons to win the award without having won a NCAA title the season he won it, joining Duke’s Matt Danowski in having fallen in the finals but taking home the award. The only other player in the history of the award to win without winning the NCAA Championship (and the only to win without making it to the finals) was the first winner - Hofstra’s Doug Shanahan in 2001."

Lot of sympathy voting(nature of loss in champ. game---but why was he not carrying the ball with 18 seconds left?),as his numbers are not in the class of 3 of the other finalists. Announcers at the championship game were clearly pushing him for the top award by extolling his leadership skills (largely unquantifiable) to overcome his lower points and other quantifiable measures. He has been a fine player for 4 years so, given Crotty's sub-par performance in the semi-final game and his prior announcement he was returning for another year (and I believe he was the voters' preference before that announcement and loss), the voters turned to the well-regarded Seibald.

Crotty finished with 23 goals,55 assists (78 points, 40 higher than Seibald), and 43 ground balls.

Best regards--Blue Prof:)

[4decadedukie]

Cornell's Max Seibald won this year’s Men’s Tewaaraton Award; obviously, he is a SUBURB player and entirely deserving of colligate lacrosse’s top honor.

Our Ned Crotty was a very strong candidate, although I suspect his recent announcement that he will return (fifth year eligibility) to lead our 2010 Blue Devils may have caused some evaluators to support Seibald, since Ned with again be eligible for Tewaaraton honors next season.

[blueprofessor]

http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/05/29/inside-lacrosse-podcast-tewaaraton-interviews/

Both are very articulate and answer questions on the minds of Duke and lacrosse fans.

Best--Blueprofessor:)

[blueprofessor]

http://www.insidelacrosse.com/page.cfm?pagerid=65840&cat=67360&hidecontent=yes&id=207729
Duke women are #5.
Way to go ,Devils!
"We shall return...in 2010 and break down the door to the trophy!"
Best--Blueprofessor:)

[blueprofessor]

http://video.insidelacrosse.com/video/view/WWvO7wP1pj0xVPYD70pJdA

Video and commentary.
Best--Blueprofessor:)

[blueprofessor]

Duke was in 2 of them!
Interesting commentary. You may be surprised.

http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/06/04/five-best-played-ncaa-di-lacrosse-games-of-2009/

Best--Blue Prof:)

[Devil07]

Very interesting move. Bill Tierney has been at Princeton for 22 years and won 6 national titles. Princeton has enough of a brand to where they probably should be able to maintain, but it certainly is surprising to see a legend go to an upstart at this stage in his career.
Princeton lax legend Bill Tierney to coach Denver (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=4242694)

[4decadedukie]

Very interesting move. Bill Tierney has been at Princeton for 22 years and won 6 national titles. Princeton has enough of a brand to where they probably should be able to maintain, but it certainly is surprising to see a legend go to an upstart at this stage in his career.
Princeton lax legend Bill Tierney to coach Denver (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=4242694)


WOW, that is surprising news!

[burnspbesq]

Wonder if Princeton will take a look at Pressler.

[4decadedukie]

Wonder if Princeton will take a look at Pressler.

They would be foolish not to; however, I am not certain if Coach Pressler would be willing to leave Bryant after only a single year.

[DukieInKansas]

They would be foolish not to; however, I am not certain if Coach Pressler would be willing to leave Bryant after only a single year.

It has been 2 years, I believe. Does anyone remember the length of his contract with Bryant?

[Bluedog]

It has been 2 years, I believe. Does anyone remember the length of his contract with Bryant?

His contract was 5 years. However, if he can get out of it, I guarantee you he'd take the Princeton job if offered. Princeton, a multi-time national champion, is quite a step up from recently DI Bryant. It's just no comparison whatsoever. Nobody in DI gave Pressler a chance at the time, so his choices were limited and he went to DII (at the time) Bryant. Certainly, not a terrible lacrosse school, but far from the best.

[roywhite]

His contract was 5 years. However, if he can get out of it, I guarantee you he'd take the Princeton job if offered. Princeton, a multi-time national champion, is quite a step up from recently DI Bryant. It's just no comparison whatsoever. Nobody in DI gave Pressler a chance at the time, so his choices were limited and he went to DII (at the time) Bryant. Certainly, not a terrible lacrosse school, but far from the best.

Strictly speculation on my part, but I wonder if Princeton might be hesitant to get involved with Pressler, just because of perceptions left over from the rape hoax scandal? Without replaying this issue, Pressler received plenty of negative publicity at the time. Would a top lacrosse/academic school like Princeton exclude him from the pool of potential coaches?

[Bluedog]

Strictly speculation on my part, but I wonder if Princeton might be hesitant to get involved with Pressler, just because of perceptions left over from the rape hoax scandal? Without replaying this issue, Pressler received plenty of negative publicity at the time. Would a top lacrosse/academic school like Princeton exclude him from the pool of potential coaches?

Potentially. Like I said, after Pressler left Duke, nobody in DI (at least, that I know of) wanted to look at him to be their head coach - and based on his on-the-field performance in recent years, you'd think lower-level schools DI would be clamoring to get him. Certainly, they saw seeking Pressler out as too risky. Perhaps some of that has worn off - or perhaps not. It's impossible to really know.

[DukieInKansas]

Potentially. Like I said, after Pressler left Duke, nobody in DI (at least, that I know of) wanted to look at him to be their head coach - and based on his on-the-field performance in recent years, you'd think lower-level schools DI would be clamoring to get him. Certainly, they saw seeking Pressler out as too risky. Perhaps some of that has worn off - or perhaps not. It's impossible to really know.

Speculation here but I can see him being loyal to Bryant for the full 5 years because they were the ones to take a chance on him - and not wanting to uproot his family again so soon. I would hope that most wouldn't hold the Nifong/Magnum hoax against him at this point. (Look at how many basketball coaches get 2nd or 3rd chances actually breaking NCAA rules. Pressler should get another chance at a quality when he was used as a scapegoat by the administration.)