This is obviously your favorite site, but other people actually write important stuff sometimes. Now is that sometimes.
A Full Pint
Rahme: Face-Offs Not Only Concern For Syracuse; Cornell's Transition and OCC's Streak on the Line
Finally!
While the team’s struggles at the face-off X remain under the microscope, critical breakdowns in clears and rides have been a pivotal factor in the team’s two-game losing streak, the most recent being Saturday night’s 17-12 loss at Virginia.
“I was talking to (UVa coach) Dom Starsia and he told me he was frustrated because their indoor field didn’t have (lacrosse) lines on it,” Desko said. “I was looking at him like he was crazy. I guess it’s all relative.”
The team’s lack of 10-on-10 practice time can be seen in these two critical but often overlooked lacrosse statistics: An SU team that traditionally forces more turnovers than it commits courtesy of its fierce ride has coughed it up 52 times in four games while getting only 41 in return, and a team that traditionally clears the ball successfully well above the 90 percent mark is at .833 (foes are .890) this season. Orange teams of the recent past have been able to offset their struggles at the X by winning the turnover and clearing battles. Losing them so far this season has exacerbated the face-off woes.
Face-offs matter, but they matter less than what occurs in the run of play. In the run of play, Syracuse has struggled to create defensive stops, efficiently clear the ball when they generate a stop, and possess the bean efficiently. It's not a difficult concept to understand, people. This is why, in January, I wrote the following about the face-off talking point for the Orange:
The short of the long is this: Clearing -- through defensive stops -- still creates more offensive opportunities than face-offs. Thus, the ability to make defensive stands and efficiently clear the bean is arguably more valuable than mere face-off wins given how more prominent clearing opportunities are in a game compared to face-off situations. (There are, however, notable exceptions.) This situation -- a focus on creating defensive stops in order to generate offensive opportunities -- leads directly into the fourth point.
The win permutations in that piece are especially relevant at this time.
Flights
DI Player of the Year Watch, March 5
Telly Savalas -- the ultimate player -- is not included.
NCAA Notes: Desperate Can Equal Dangerous
It can also mean making a bad decision at 3 A.M. and waking up to the stink of regret.
The Return of Brown State Blogging
Welcome to another Spring of Brown State Blogging!
DeJohn faces old program when St. John’s meets Syracuse
DeJohn probably wants a win more than he wants revenge.
MLAX: $10 Tickets for Penn. Free with Georgetown Basketball stub
Tickets for the Villanova lacrosse game start at $10. However, you can get in free if you show the ticket stub from the Villanova vs. Georgetown game from earlier in the day.
Big-time lacrosse coming to OCC
As coach of the Corona del Mar High boys' lacrosse program, G.W. Mix doesn't get to see his two sons play in college often. He's too busy coaching, while Ryan Mix and Casey Mix are away competing.
Johns Hopkins vs. Maryland lacrosse among best rivalries in college sports
It's right behind Jim Boeheim v. Referees.
UMass lacrosse preps for high-scoring Albany following defensive success
Who would've tabbed this game as a must-follow back in January?
Can Penn men's lacrosse grab a lead?
This weekend, Penn men’s lacrosse will take on a familiar foe - in
both proximity and in style.
UMBC starting midfielder Zach Linkous battling shin injury, questionable for Saturday vs. Johns Hopkins
UMBC’s bid to upset No. 3 Johns Hopkins on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Retrievers Stadium in Catonsville could miss a key ingredient in starting midfielder Zach Linkous.
Change in Johns Hopkins' starting midfield may or may not be permanent
I may or may not be permanent. Such is life.
Brewing Process
Detroit 8, Bellarmine 12
Men's Lacrosse drops fifth straight game