Prediction thread for Memorial Day Weekend

[Delmar]

Maryland vs. Albany

I live in Albany; I am moving to Maryland in July. Scooby beats the turtle. If there is any justice in the Creator's Game, Albany wins. The reason we have the shot clock is Maryland and their God awful manipulation of the fastest sport on two feet.

Denver vs. Notre Dame

Both teams profited from their pre-season ratings to have weaker opponents than they deserved in the first round. Why the hell can't you fly the Air Force to a distant location? Just sayin'. I will enjoy watching one of these two teams lose. I hope it is Notre Dame: ACC allegiance be damned.

Duke vs. Ohio State

I have Michigan alliances, but this Ohio State team impresses me. Duke may suffer from a too easy a win at Hopkins, but Danowski prepares for May as well as anyone. Tough pick here, but I'll go with OSU.

Syracuse vs. Towson

I have no perspective. Towson is a real threat who shouldn't be discounted. We find a way, and once again win by 1.

Final four:

Albany, Denver, Ohio State, Syracuse

 

[HtownOrange]

What I want:

Albany - They deserve a marquis victory, so long as it isn't Syracuse, I'm OK with them getting it soon. Especially this weekend.
ND - Tiernney is a great coach, no need to let him stick around any longer than necessary
Duke - Maryland and JHU should be the only B1G teams allowed into post season play for decades as the B1G largely ignored lacrosse for decades. Seriously, I think Duke's experience and coaching will prevail. Toughest game to call of the four.
Syracuse - It's Syracuse, need I say more. Sorry Towson, someone has to be the weekly victim, your number is up.

What I predict:

Maryland
Denver
Duke
Syracuse

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Scooby
Denver
Duke
#HHH

 

[PhatOrange]

my prediction. If either Albany or Syracuse makes the final four I'm headed to Boston

giddyup

 

[Faegan]

Albany, Denver, Duke & the Best College Lacrosse Program in the World.

So sick of hearing about Maryland's turn to win it. They've had more than enough opportunity over the last several years. Hope they have to watch from home.

 

[JeremyCuse]

Some interesting matchups for sure this weekend but will give my best guess below:

Albany vs Maryland - Maryland - Albany is a year ahead of schedule (next year is there year for a title) but their current team is definitely a title contender. Unfortunately for them Maryland is the worst possible matchup for them of the remaining teams. Maryland has the faceoff Depth to win wear down Ierlan and win just enough draws and the secondary defenders to keep anyone not named Fields in check. Most importantly they have the type of offense Albany will struggle to contain. Maryland lacks any sort of depth this year which is odd for them but their top 6 is lethal. Albany struggles to contain good midfields and they were burned badly by Rotanz in their game earlier this season. I expect him and Kelly will carry Maryland as Albany's close defenders are the best they have had under Marr and can slow Heacock and Maltz. I expect a close game but Maryland Seniors and first line midfield should get them over the hump. This hinges on Morris not being overwhelmed, he wasn't exactly on his game vs Bryant.

Denver vs ND - Denver - Tough game to call but with Baptiste and a healthier roster I will give Denver a slight edge. ND can win this game though as Denvers D is very susceptible and if Denver is turning it over a ton (turnovers have been an issue) or ND can hold Baptiste to a reasonable win % they can win this game. That said if Perkovic and Garnsey aren't healthy ND has no chance. For Denver its all about winning draws and putting pressure on Doss. Denver has been Jekkle an Hyde this year, tough to tell what your going to get.

Duke vs Ohio State - ? By far toughest of the 4 games to pick. Duke is getting a ton of pub right now and deservedly so but people are forgetting their loss a few weeks back to ND in the ACC tourney despite ND essentially playing without Garnsey and Perkovic. OSU has a top end faceoff guy who can counter Row and their D is legit. Duke wont get half the looks they got last week and OSU's goalie is light years better then Turnbaugh at Hopkins. However OSU's offense can go stagnant for long stretches and has flaws. Key for Duke will be Guterding, if OSU can hold him in check I think Duke will struggle to score just like they did vs ND. Going to give a slight edge to Duke but I wouldn't be surprised one bit if OSU won.

Syracuse vs Towson - SU - Obviously I have to go with SU here but Towson is a tough matchup but clearly the opponent most would choose versus the remaining field. Excellent defense especially at goalie and at SSDM. My initial thought is that Towson may not double pole the midfield based on how highly they view their SSDM. I could see them throwing a zone SU's way but unlike previous versions this SU team has several outside shooters and a guy in Voigt who can play in the middle and really wreck a zone. SU will need to be a lot better at the X as it will be difficult to beat this Towson team if there is a repeat of the disparity at the X. SU will need to push for any transition attempts and look to score in situations other then settled 6 on 6. I think defensively SU actually matches up fairly well as Towson while a good offense lacks an elite level scorer like a Reeves, Guterding, Fields etc. This Towson team is somewhat similar to the Bryant teams SU faced in 2013 and 2014. Dekso and SU needs to be careful not to let them dictate tempo to much and try to speed them up when we can.

 

[Alsacs]

I got lucky 8 for 8 first round
This round I got

Maryland
Denver
Duke
Syracuse

 

[JeremyCuse]

Albany, Denver, Duke & the Best College Lacrosse Program in the World.

So sick of hearing about Maryland's turn to win it. They've had more than enough opportunity over the last several years. Hope they have to watch from home.

Marylands window pretty much closes after this season as they graduate the entire starting attack their best close defender and best SSDM not mention their #1 faceoff guy. They have gotten little in the way of depth this year outside of their top 6 offensive players so I think there is a real sense of urgency to try and get that title. I think they will be very active on the transfer market this year like they have the past few along with SU but I don't see them being able to replace what there about to lose for at least a couple of season and they lose Rotanz next year.

 

[WoodyUK]

If Maryland don't win it all they should give it up and concentrate on Jousting!

 

[PhatOrange]

I worry that Albany will play tight.

 

[WoodyUK]

I worry that Albany will play tight.

I think that's a worry for any team at this stage of the season, one and done, I hope they don't play tight and just go out and play their game, I love the way Albany play, Fields is a one of a kind he's a great mix of hockey, box and field skills in an American player! Although they reload next year as always with the Tehoka Nanticoke if anyone hasn't seen this kid watch out! Miles, Lyle, Fields and Nanticoke! Scary legacy!

It would be a great start to the weekend if UAlbany won!

 

[JeremyCuse]

I worry that Albany will play tight.

I believe they will especially in the second half. There a year away, next year is there best opportunity. A Senior laden team with Fields and Reh and Sims and the other close defender plus Nanticoke and Ierlan.

 

[SkyTopBus44]

Mostly chalk in round 1. The single upset (Duke) was by the team that should have been favored and hosted...

I like Orange Extreme's picks...No B1G in the final four

Scooby
Denver
Duke
#HHH

 

[wallacecuse]

I think that's a worry for any team at this stage of the season, one and done, I hope they don't play tight and just go out and play their game, I love the way Albany play, Fields is a one of a kind he's a great mix of hockey, box and field skills in an American player! Although they reload next year as always with the Tehoka Nanticoke if anyone hasn't seen this kid watch out! Miles, Lyle, Fields and Nanticoke! Scary legacy!

It would be a great start to the weekend if UAlbany won!

I think they are the last game

 

[JeremyCuse]

I think they are the last game

Correct, 2:30 Sunday.

 

[orange79]

Twerps
ND
Duke
Orange

 

[Alsacs]

If we are lucky enough to be Towson who is the better matchup?
Ohio State or Duke?

OSU has Withers and would dominate the X but I don't think their attack is better than even Yale's.

Duke has a deeper attack and wasn't tested against Hopkins.

I actually think duke would be a tougher matchup if we are lucky enough to win this weekend.

 

[JeremyCuse]

If we are lucky enough to be Towson who is the better matchup?
Ohio State or Duke?

OSU has Withers and would dominate the X but I don't think their attack is better than even Yale's.

Duke has a deeper attack and wasn't tested against Hopkins.

I actually think duke would be a tougher matchup if we are lucky enough to win this weekend.

Duke, familiar with SU and Rowe has a history of outperforming Ben at the X even when Ben was healthy. Duke's D is not nearly as good as OSU's though so you could make an argument the other way plus SU already beat Duke.

 

[HtownOrange]

I worry that Albany will play tight.

A reasonable concern. If I was coaching Albany (or Towson) I would remind the kids they have nothing to lose all week. Work hard and the last practice, warm up hard and turn on the fun, let the guys play lose and cray to unwind during practice. Then for a pregame speech, remind the team who they are playing, how storied their opponent is, nobody expected them to be here at this point and that I am impressed with the team. Remind that lacrosse has a serious side, but it has a fun side, too. Finally, I tell them to take care of business and have fun doing it.

Nothing more dangerous than a lose team with nothing to lose and the world to gain.

 

[WoodyUK]

Duke, familiar with SU and Rowe has a history of outperforming Ben at the X even when Ben was healthy. Duke's D is not nearly as good as OSU's though so you could make an argument the other way plus SU already beat Duke.

I am surprised that we haven't tried a pole as a back up but they have to come in with a history of taking them! I think the days of standing up and turning it into a scrap are over, it is such a specialised position now and is a sport within a sport!

Let's see what happens Benny will give it his best I am sure!

 

[JeremyCuse]

I am surprised that we haven't tried a pole as a back up but they have to come in with a history of taking them! I think the days of standing up and turning it into a scrap are over, it is such a specialised position now and is a sport within a sport!

Let's see what happens Benny will give it his best I am sure!

I think the days of using a pole are pretty much over as you noted. I can't think of a time when a team when to a long pole when they were getting abused at the X and the long pole actually stopping the bleeding. The only way that works as if you have a guy like Costabile at Duke a few years ago but he was an outlier. Your better off running through your depth chart and seeing if you can catch lightning in a bottle. Maryland did this vs Ierlan.

 

[Toga]

I think the days of using a pole are pretty much over as you noted. I can't think of a time when a team when to a long pole when they were getting abused at the X and the long pole actually stopping the bleeding. The only way that works as if you have a guy like Costabile at Duke a few years ago but he was an outlier. Your better off running through your depth chart and seeing if you can catch lightning in a bottle. Maryland did this vs Ierlan.

Albany did a year or two ago.

 

[JeremyCuse]

Albany did a year or two ago.

I don't recall that but I am sure your right. I would assume it wasn't very successful as I know they tried a bunch of different things vs Williams that one game and nothing worked.

 

[WoodyUK]

UMass had Jake Dean also when they got to the final four in 2006

 

[dave h]

Good vs Evil, Entertaining vs Dull

Want FF
Albany
Denver
Duke
Syracuse

if we get

Maryland
Ohio State
Notre Dame
Towson

I won't bother watching and it will put the sport back 20 years

Option 2 will see hockey scores ZZzzz