Notre Dame Gameday...

[swish7]

UAlbany:
2011: 5-10
2012: 5-11
2013: 13-5. Lost 1st Rd game to Denver
2014: 12-6. Lost to ND in Qtrs.

4 years, 1 NCAA win.

Since we were well below .500 in FO % during that period, the Thompsons would have looked great standing around while we were on defense.

Yeah, it would have been terrible...
Lyle Thompson
2012 - 38 points
2013 - 113 points
2014 - 128 points
2015 - 121 points

Miles Thompson
2011 - 41 points
2012 - 60 points
2013 - 73 points
2014 - 119 points

Ty Thompson
2012 - 66 points
2013 - 68 points
2014 - 53 points

Albany Attack
2014 - 293 points

Syracuse Attack
2014 - 190 points

Whatever. I understand there were some circumstances..

we'll be lucky to advance past the quarter finals playing like we did today.

 

[swish7]

Give Albany credit for getting the Thompsons on campus and them for getting eligible. That said your doing a bit of revisionist history.

Syracuse didnt offer Ty Thompson which was one of the issues that came up. The other is all three of the other guys Fields, Piseno and Riordan, weren't recruited or offered by Syracuse. Piseno was a very lightly recruited LSM and Fields was under the radar as well.

The only recruit I am aware of SU losing head to head post the Thompsons was Nanticoke and you saw how that ended up.

Again I think we all would have loved the Thompsons here but Albany outside of that one year after they graduated with Fields and Ierlan, they dont have much to show for the Thompson era. They have struggled immensely out of conference and haven't won an ncaa tourney game (besides the play in) since 2018.

Ahh, thats what it was eh? They didn't offer one of them? But we had no problem offering Joeys brothers? Also concerned about their grades as I recall. They would have been great next to Kevin Rice.

Man, Conor Fields would have been awesome.

 

[MD Cuse Fan]

I don't really think it is an apt comparison at all. Williams got hurt at some point. I don't remember the game because it feels like ages ago, but after a face-off he ran off the field holding his shoulder and was literally never the same. Mullen's issues this year are not physical.

Yeah to me it looks more mental with Mullen, hence the issue with the violations this season.

 

[CuseNHouse]

Welp - at the end of the day, Cuse couldn't handle the big stages - Princeton , UNC and ND - all by wide margins, Trucked by all of these teams at various stages of the game. Not quite sure how we navigate this group down the stretch ... if we even get there. The individual talent is there but generally not cohesively - not in the same place at the same time. Jimmy has been better down the stretch, not elite but solid ... Johnny and wing play has been a total mystery and liability all season in big games . Likely will be the biggest gap unless he's saved his best for last. Players have improved with time and seasoning over 4 years - but throughout this season ? I'm not sure if this team is any better today than they were in February . They were good then and good now - but I don't see any major step change and the big player disappearing acts continue game to game- it's a revolving door . You never know who will show. Unforced errors and fundamental mistakes with a senior team of this caliber at this stage of the season with limited possessions?? I don't know - maybe magic and the moment will make it happen but what seemed to be destiny is now very much in doubt . We Can only hope.

 

[lincolncuse]

Gruden was so funny in that, it was a laugh fest, "Syracuse is a bunch of bad asses in lacrosse..." LMAO.

It was like watching Frank Caliendo do Jon Gruden

 

[SUlax88-09]

It’s not like Mullen’s winning % was great, then dropped significantly. He’s had a down year and been a violation fest going back to February.

Mullen won 63% of face offs last year, and he’s at 52.6% this year. That’s a huge difference in the face off world. That’s going from 7th best in the country to 43rd best in the country. I just don’t get it. Can anyone explain it? It’s just so odd to see. The Ben Williams comparison was a good one (our FO specialist from ‘15-‘17 who went from 67% his 1st year down to 54% his senior year), but it was also a good point that Williams hurt his shoulder.

I also agree with the revisionist history comment, and it’s hypothetical, but I still think the Thompson twins forever changed the SU lacrosse Upstate NY recruiting dominance by not coming here (even lightly recruited Upstate NY players used to still come to SU to play in the dome and in front of their family’s… we were kind of the only show in town, but now we’re not). I get that Albany has nothing to show for their growth, in terms of team success, but at least some of the All Americans and PLL stars they've put out (the Thompson twins, TD Ierlan, Connor Fields, Blaze Riorden, Jake Piseno, and now Silas Richmond) could have been SU stars if Albany lacrosse was still a no-name program, and I think the lack of an SU chip since ‘09 is partially due to Albany’s rise in recruiting. When did Albany ever produce All Americans or professional lacrosse players before the Thompson twins went there? Respect to the Thompson’s for making their own path, but I think we missed out on and will continue to miss out on a lot of talented NY players because of their decision

 

[OrangeXtreme]

It’s not like Mullen’s winning % was great, then dropped significantly. He’s had a down year and been a violation fest going back to February.

He's trying to anticipate the whistle. Sometimes he guesses right. Sometimes not.

Everyone in the country gets caught at one time or another.

 

[cuselaxss26]

Mullen is truely the diff in this year. Grant the team still make the same mistake n as did last year n haven’t improved as much as they should or thought they would from last year to now. But mullen struggling in the big game is what’s change. He was least winning every other faceoff or close to it in some big games. Which gave us ball n chances on top of preventing teams from pulling away or making runs. It isn’t happening this year causing us to play more D to which breaks down. Then offense doesn’t get ball as often n still making the mistakes giving other teams possessions after possessions cause of faceoff.

As many n myself state if gonna struggle at the X then you almost have to play as clean as can be. You have to take care of the ball much better def not have unforced turnovers. You have to clear it almost perfectly. You also have to win the gb battle while making the plays. Last but not least you have to shoot effectively. Mullen even vs some of the not top top teams struggled vs. But he has been the difference this year not putting it all on him. But for how many games he struggled n team still hasn’t learn how to play when struggling at X is the issue. Have to have the ball n make plays outside of X when not winning at the x.

 

[SnazzyLunch]

He's trying to anticipate the whistle. Sometimes he guesses right. Sometimes not.

Everyone in the country gets caught at one time or another.

And if I recall correctly, the set-to-whistle cadence was changed either this year or last year to encourage more variance between the "set" and whistle. It could be something as simple as they're pushing for more variance this year which hurts a guy like Mullen who clearly relies on anticipation.

Also, not to say he was never "dominate" per se. He had always been solid. However, in past years when our schedule was a bit weaker he was taking 20+ faceoffs against teams like Manhattan winning at a 80%+ clip which definitely boosted his numbers a bit.

 

[Dinkyspond]

It was like watching Frank Caliendo do Jon Gruden

it was great, Gruden was doing a parody of himself! Plus, he did his homework and spent a lot of time learning the names of all the former and current players to give a shout out. This wasn't something he did off the cuff, he took a lot of time and did the research. Or, someone did it for him and coached him up for segment. Either way, it was great!

 

[MadNY3]

He's trying to anticipate the whistle. Sometimes he guesses right. Sometimes not.

Everyone in the country gets caught at one time or another.

Yep. He likely averages more per game than most, but that’s not an exclusive reason to being outside the top 40 in winning % this year.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Yep. He likely averages more per game than most, but that’s not an exclusive reason to being outside the top 40 in winning % this year.

Bad wing play.

Mullen can't rely on his teammates, so he tries to do too much.

 

[SnazzyLunch]

I guess I didn't internalize this because the bad ending, but this game was 12-11 with 8 minutes left in the 4th. People acting like this was some out of reach beat-down are just out of touch.

 

[cuselaxss26]

was a winningable game for sure. They just falter n got tired n couldn’t stay composed and play smart.

 

[MadNY3]

Bad wing play.

Mullen can't rely on his teammates, so he tries to do too much.

Fair contributor.

 

[cuselaxss26]

I didn’t watch the last 1min of game or see the 16th goal. Saw it in highlights. But another thing can be recruit thing is the emotional outburst after losing n starting stuff. Grant the ND guys came back n got in spallina face n but after he gave a no need check to goal scorer afterwards. That is from our most valued senior losing his head. That is what’s wrong with this team. As said when the seniors act like they do n play the way they do the rest of team will follow.

You lost game do it with some class. Now sure he was talking (ND) guy but unless he makes an act first walk away n get your revenge next time. Doesn’t look good when do these kind of things after losing specially after losing playing a piss poor second half where you guys really shot yourself in foot more then ND straight up beating you. Sam english can you please come back and talk some sense into these guys. Cause they are desperately missing true leadership.

 

[cuselaxss26]

Spallina thompson and even leo at times act like an emotional girl out there. Normally resulting into us getting flagged cause we are the ones who retaliate cause let our emotions boiling over. Instead of being an actual grown man n getting their number n taking them to rack or beating them on scoreboard. That is best way to do ur talking. Not spazzing out like some first grader who was told no for first time.

To much ball watching to soft on D giving to much space to team with speedy guys. Seemed no one was talking or communicating. Also mccool what in the hell are you coming out of the cage 10yrds in front to a falling yago for ? D why is ur goalie the first one to the falling yago in first place also? Jake was below gle covering guy behind net why? He isn’t a threat there specially when the actual threat is coming where you should actually be planted at the time.

I didn’t wanna rewatch highlights or even game cause knew would just make me mad seeing all dumb things they did wrong. But course i did silly me.

 

[BillSU]

I just do not like ND at all. Some announcer one day while I was watching them play us in football said yes sir, ND Americas team - well they're not my team.

 

[swish7]

I guess I didn't internalize this because the bad ending, but this game was 12-11 with 8 minutes left in the 4th. People acting like this was some out of reach beat-down are just out of touch.

It was an out of reach beatdown. Prove to us it wasn't. I'll wait.

1:03 left- 5 goal difference. Syracuse's last ground ball.
5:29 left - 4 goal difference
7:21 left - 3 goal difference
8:11 left - 2 goal difference. Syracuse's s last points of the afternoon.
.
.
.
21:02 left - 2 goal difference
.
.
.
29:35 left - tie game

Outscored 9-3 in the 2nd half. Our 3 points all came within 2:37 of each other. ND +9 in GBs. ND +14 in shots on goal. -2 in turnovers. +5 in faceoffs.

People just write things to make themselves feel better.

 

[SnazzyLunch]

It was an out of reach beatdown. Prove to us it wasn't. I'll wait.

1:03 left- 5 goal difference. Syracuse's last ground ball.
5:29 left - 4 goal difference
7:21 left - 3 goal difference
8:11 left - 2 goal difference. Syracuse's s last points of the afternoon.
.
.
.
21:02 left - 2 goal difference
.
.
.
29:35 left - tie game

Outscored 9-3 in the 2nd half. Our 3 points all came within 2:37 of each other. ND +9 in GBs. ND +14 in shots on goal. -2 in turnovers. +5 in faceoffs.

People just write things to make themselves feel better.

What do you want me to do summon Dr. Strange and have him view every single outcome of the game in infinite universes lol.

They didn't win the game is not the same as the game was out of reach. Down 1 with 8 minutes left is an objectively winnable game. Syracuse scores 1 goal its tied at 12-12 they score 2 is 13-12. There, I proved the possibility that the game was in reach.

If your standard is "they lost, therefore they never had a chance", then every losing team was out of reach the whole time. If you're up 15-0 but lose 16-15 the game was never in reach. You flip a coin and it lands heads therefore it was never possible that if could've been tails. Do you see how silly that sounds?

 

[Bayside44]

What do you want me to do summon Dr. Strange and have him view every single outcome of the game in infinite universes lol.

They didn't win the game is not the same as the game was out of reach. Down 1 with 8 minutes left is an objectively winnable game. Syracuse scores 1 goal its tied at 12-12 they score 2 is 13-12. There, I proved the possibility that the game was in reach.

If your standard is "they lost, therefore they never had a chance", then every losing team was out of reach the whole time. If you're up 15-0 but lose 16-15 the game was never in reach. You flip a coin and it lands heads therefore it was never possible that if could've been tails. Do you see how silly that sounds?

Yep it was basically right there at 87% of the game played. ND pulled away, it happens.

I'm encouraged that we can take three terrible high to high shots in the 3rd that were just catch and had a couple of unfortunate turnovers inside and still get back into it. (Discouraged those things happened to begin with in a game with no margin).

 

[cuselaxss26]

Not to mention they had least 4 maby 5 goals come off poor turnover on simple passes or failed cleared. One may even been cause we didn’t pick up a gb n gave them ball back. Was def winnable game.

Chance to tie it with emo goal n if remember it was either a turnover or bad pass to a turnover. If we actually scored to tie it there think we had the momentum as we’re down 4 n would have scored 4 straight. Rush to much early in shot clock n not getting defense moving enough. Def was a game within reach but cuse didn’t make the plays they needed to n got sloppy n tired.

 

[swish7]

What do you want me to do summon Dr. Strange and have him view every single outcome of the game in infinite universes lol.

They didn't win the game is not the same as the game was out of reach. Down 1 with 8 minutes left is an objectively winnable game. Syracuse scores 1 goal its tied at 12-12 they score 2 is 13-12. There, I proved the possibility that the game was in reach.

If your standard is "they lost, therefore they never had a chance", then every losing team was out of reach the whole time. If you're up 15-0 but lose 16-15 the game was never in reach. You flip a coin and it lands heads therefore it was never possible that if could've been tails. Do you see how silly that sounds?

The game is 60 minutes long. They showed up for 33 minutes of it. It was unwinnable from 7 minutes remaining given how they were playing.

The senior class needs to realize they don't have swagger. They need to play like they have something to prove bc they have everything to prove. They won't make it past the quarterfinals at this rate.

 

[FloridaCuse]

The game is 60 minutes long. They showed up for 33 minutes of it. It was unwinnable from 7 minutes remaining given how they were playing.

The senior class needs to realize they don't have swagger. They need to play like they have something to prove bc they have everything to prove. They won't make it past the quarterfinals at this rate.

yeah, and the 33 minutes was 30 minutes in the first half and 3 minutes in the middle of the 2nd half. They just didn't come out of halftime with their heads in the game. Were they sitting on their laurels because they had a 1 goal lead at the half? ND came out of halftime pissed they were trailing and showed it. We just weren't up to the test.

 

[cusefan88]

When the talent of the opponent is even, Cuse consistently gets beat on hustle plays and mental mistakes. In my perception the UNC Princeton ND games it felt like everytime there was a ground ball it was 3-4 guys coming out of there and flying forward and an orange shirt was barely in the frame.

Cuse is incredibly talented but this year they don't have the extra gear and intensity when the talent is equal (especially away from home).