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Message: [QUOTE="LaxFactor, post: 5322148, member: 7349"] Sorry, bored on a Saturday morning, can't golf, so here I go... Bringing this convo back to roster, everything I've seen in the press around that final attack spot keeps mentioning Thomson and Deere which is kind of disappointing to me. I felt like out of all of the guys that filled in at 3rd attack a season ago, Leo changed the dynamic the most in a way that seemed like it would be tough for defenses to adjust to. He is the guy that can both finish, dodge and feed and seems like a great fit down low. Now I feel like I'm nitpicking, because this offense was ranked 6th in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency (lacrosse reference pro). So they were very good. But I'm in the camp (with others on here) that the only thing missing is that elite dodger on attack. Spallina is a very good dodger and Hiltz is also solid, but I really want to see someone that can win matchups with more ease as it will free them up to do what they do best. This offense is exciting, but they succeed by flying by the seat of their pants, lots of motion, hitting cutters and living off of things that are generally considered "risky", but because we have so many guys with box experience and "playing in close", it worked. When it worked, it was great. When it didn't work, like against Denver, it was frustrating as hell because in those games was when it was most apparent we were lacking an elite dodger. If we had that true X dodger that could draw slides more consistently, that would allow both Hiltz and Spallina to remain above GLE which is where they are both more dangerous. I feel Joey has been the most "misused" player on our offense, as being a primary dodger isn't what he does best. Syracuse did a great job last season getting him into situations where he could have his head up, with no one on his hands (ala getting him hung up at X regularly, I couldn't believe how often they were able to hang his defender). If we had a true filthy dirty dodging threat at X, Spallina and Hiltz would feast, and all of those shooters we have out top would also benefit. Defensively, they ranked "somewhere in the middle nationally" and it was obvious Will Mark was the only reason that was the case. Looking at the data, it's kind of all over the place, but it does support the idea that without Will Mark, this defense would have been among the worst of all tier 1 and 2 programs. [LIST] [*]38th (out of 76) in efficiency, aka, getting stops [*]45th in opponent shooting percentage [*]51st in on goal shooting percentage, even worse, hence the higher than average shooting percentage, this defense gave up a ton of shots [*]38th in turnover percentage [*]34th in shots given up per possession. [/LIST] We lost some talent, brought some back. There are for sure some bright spots, Dwan, Rice, Grace (glad to see it looks like he may be healthy). Luckily every ACC team leaked talent like a 14 year old girl leaking tears because her first boyfriend just dumped her for her best friend. Mullen will handle things at the dot. But I think the defense needs to be BETTER than a season ago in order for this team to break through. I don't see a situation where we're better off in cage than we were with Mark. So for this team to get to the next level, the defense needs to be better. If they stay level with a season ago, we risk getting bounced in the first or second round. My main worry, teams that have units that are "just good enough" don't normally win natty's, although they can certainly make their way to memorial day weekend. [/QUOTE]

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