Offseason Lax News and Notes

[burnspbesq]

Although there is no assurance that there will be a 2021 season (or what a 2021 season will look like if it happens), US Lacrosse magazine is revealing its early top 25 men’s and women’s teams (five per day, as is its custom).

The Duke women come in at number 16, which seems about right. The surprise is that they are ranked ahead of BC and UVa.

[burnspbesq]

Michael Sowers has no box lacrosse experience, and nobody knows whether he has any interest, but that didn’t stop New England from taking him in the third round of last night’s NLL draft (number 41 overall).

[burnspbesq]

If you guessed that the Duke men would be US Lacrosse magazine’s early number one, collect your cookie from the table over there (chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin?).

https://www.uslaxmagazine.com/colleg...division-i-men

[nmduke2001]

There is a twitter post by Darren Rovell that says that close family friend Charles Balsamo has committed to Duke.

[burnspbesq]

On a new website called Duke Uncut, Nakeie talks at length about his upbringing and the people who helped make him who he is today. Well worth a read.

https://www.uncutduke.com/post/it-takes-a-village

[burnspbesq]

Coach Kimel talks to IL about how the women’s program is coping with the unprecedented situation.

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/artic...as-usual/56960

[DST Fan]

In addition to canceling winter sports, the Ivy League announced today that spring sports will not begin before the end of February. Even if the rest of D-1 starts spring sports, more or less, on a normal schedule in 2021, a late start for the Ivy League will certainly create challenges for D-1 lacrosse.


https://www.espn.com/college-sports/...ay-sources-say

[burnspbesq]

IL profiles Duke uber-freshman Brennan O’Neill—including the inevitable comparisons to Zion Williamson.

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/artic...-o-neill/57052

[chrishoke]

IL profiles Duke uber-freshman Brennan O’Neill—including the inevitable comparisons to Zion Williamson.

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/artic...-o-neill/57052

Fantastic article - thanks. So excited.

[burnspbesq]

J.T., JoeRob, and Terry are your 2021 Blue Devil tri-captains.

https://goduke.com/news/2020/12/2/me...21-season.aspx

[burnspbesq]

IL is posting its list of the 50 best players in college lax, ten at a time, and Duke’s draw savant Maddie Jenner makes the list at number 31.

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/artic...os-40-31/57059

[burnspbesq]

J.T. comes in at number 11 on the IL Top 50.

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/artic...os-20-11/57066

[burnspbesq]

Not exactly a surprise that Michael Sowers tops IL’s list.

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/artic...ill-king/57068

[budwom]

Not exactly a surprise that Michael Sowers tops IL’s list.

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/artic...ill-king/57068

Is O'Neill not eligible?

[53n206]

On a new website called Duke Uncut, Nakeie talks at length about his upbringing and the people who helped make him who he is today. Well worth a read.

https://www.uncutduke.com/post/it-takes-a-village

Just magnificent!

[burnspbesq]

Is O'Neill not eligible?

Criteria for selection weren’t explicitly stated, but no frosh of either gender were included.

[burnspbesq]

Not sure what’s going on here, and not inclined to speculate, but it seems a little weird.

Additionally, sources tell IL that Rehfuss may not be the only noteworthy Syracuse player to seek a transfer prior to the spring season. Those sources say that the players' consideration is part of an ongoing disciplinary appeals process resulting from an apparent violation of COVID-19 safety protocols.

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/artic...y-follow/57109

[fuse]

Not sure what’s going on here, and not inclined to speculate, but it seems a little weird.



https://www.insidelacrosse.com/artic...y-follow/57109

If I am a coach, assertion of not following COVID protocols would be a big red flag in considering accepting a transfer.

[burnspbesq]

Chris Jaz, who usually has good sources, has tweeted that ACC men’s teams will play six conference games in 2021 (two home-and-homes and two one-offs), with no conference tournament. An unknown number of non-conference games are possible but not assured.

https://twitter.com/Chris_Jast/statu...036216325?s=20

[burnspbesq]

Nothing to do with Duke or college lacrosse, but a terrific read re the strong bonds between Ireland and America’s indigenous peoples, which led to the Irish team withdrawing from the 2022 World Games to make room for the Iroquois Nationals.

https://www.uslaxmagazine.com/fuel/i...ogether-as-one