UNC Preview

[cuselaxss26]

Going into this game n unc having wambach. Cuse is gonna have to step their game up in other areas to help out. Meaning offense is gonna have to control ball n limit unforced turnovers almost down to zero n limit any forced turnovers as much as possible. While also scoring at a high percent. Wambach will win faceoffs no doubt, not saying he dominates like has but he’s going to win a good amount. So need to be better then normal in other areas help make up difference there. Meaning gonna have to def win the groundball battle. Unc usually good gb team so we def gotta win that n gain every loose ball we possible can giving it to our O n keeping it from their O.

Defense gonna have to step it up also. Def have to stay out of the box but can’t play as soft as did vs duke specially vs unc two big guys (duffy petro). That should be key focus but don’t stop there either. As unc freshmen young middies are really starting to come alive. So lsm n dmids gonna have to be solid n win their matchups more then they lose (clearly harder then to say). Mccool tho wasn’t bad vs duke but under 50% he will have to be least over 50% this game. He will need to save every one he should n take few he prob shouldn’t.

Clearing has been better but has to be perfect this game. Unc has a very good ride n sure will use it. Guys can’t panic or throw bad ill advise passes or even long passes def in traffic areas. Off saves that can get it out n up as fast as can do so. May have to actually beat or run by a guy or two to beat it or before can make a clear pass. But gonna have to be on point.

Think this is a game we can win if we play like we can. But as stated gonna have to win some other battles examples gbs -emo-man down- clearing etc. Also need not saying fast start where get on top early (tho be great). But have to start ready n prepared. Can’t take qtr or half to get settled in or moving. Every punch unc makes we have to punch back or with punch n an upper cut. Let’s go boys take it to them.

 

[DoctahLexus]

Dwan struggled with the Petro matchup last year but he was also dealing with an injury later in the season. The way the Johnston matchup went last week is not exactly encouraging, but Johnston has a good deal more strait line speed than Petro. If Dwan bounces back that will go a long way. Just for the love of gosh do not sluff off him and let him shoot from range. He may be the best shooter in the country when he is hot.

Figueras will certainly have his hands full with Duffy, and I am expecting him to get a few decent looks, but he should be able to minimize him a heck of a lot more than some matchups he has had this year. If we can limit the attack that will go a long way. Their middies have a lot of dodging power and will get some looks, if we can limit our problems to their middies we can keep the goal total reasonable. Chuck K being back is huge.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[MadNY3]

I hate Darien, but Ric is entertaining.

 

[wgdsr]

I hate Darien, but Ric is entertaining.

luv ric. and darien, hate them or not, does public lax better than anyone.

 

[FloridaCuse]

 

[orangefog]

ELO rating?

 

[FloridaCuse]

 

[FloridaCuse]

ELO rating?

Here's the full explanation of ELO on the Lacrosse Reference website.

Introducing Elo for College Lacrosse – Lacrosse Reference

For our purposes is provides a comparison between teams.

 

[Powellfan]

If possessions were going to be equal, I'd feel pretty good about our chances, especially given that the UNC goalie is under 50% for the year. Unfortunately, with the way Wambach is playing, that seems kind of unlikely. Looking at his stats though, I feel like they are a bit misleading - against better than average Face-off units, he's been ... just a little better than average. 14-22 against Penn State, 13-23 against Princeton.

It's just when he faces not good competition, he blows them out of the water. Mullen probably hasn't been as good this year as he was last year, but hopefully he can hold his own and go something like 45-55%. Mullen went 11-26 last year. Feels like he has to do a bit better in this matchup.

 

[bjred]

If possessions were going to be equal, I'd feel pretty good about our chances, especially given that the UNC goalie is under 50% for the year. Unfortunately, with the way Wambach is playing, that seems kind of unlikely. Looking at his stats though, I feel like they are a bit misleading - against better than average Face-off units, he's been ... just a little better than average. 14-22 against Penn State, 13-23 against Princeton.

It's just when he faces not good competition, he blows them out of the water. Mullen probably hasn't been as good this year as he was last year, but hopefully he can hold his own and go something like 45-55%. Mullen went 11-26 last year. Feels like he has to do a bit better in this matchup.

Maybe run Angelo out there if it looks like Mullen is struggling? Or even give Olenik a try, might as well use all your options if its a struggle and maybe catch a spark.

 

[LpoolNative]

Mullen needs to come out hot. Has had an up and down season.

 

[JeremyCuse]

Maybe run Angelo out there if it looks like Mullen is struggling? Or even give Olenik a try, might as well use all your options if its a struggle and maybe catch a spark.

This isn't the matchup for Olenik. If Johnny struggles SU will likely give Angelo a few draws to try and give Wambach another look. As Powell noted this is a very very tough matchup, need Johnny to get to as close as 50% as possible. Even upper 40s would be serviceable against Wambach.

 

[cuselaxss26]

Gotta get the wings involved n the wings gotta disrupt n also win gbs. Mullen may win some to himself but think goal should be least make it a scrum to where wings are involved n then our wings have to be a factor. Can’t let wambach win 6-7-8 in row cleanly n find a groove. Make it a 50/50 gb battle n hope for the best. If can least tire wambach out as much as possible by making it a scrum maby he sits out one or two draws to catch breather (tho sure he takes everyone always). But as stated before knowing how good he is at x have absolutely have to step it up in all other facets of the game not just related to faceoff.

 

[nocohalo]

Gotta get the wings involved n the wings gotta disrupt n also win gbs. Mullen may win some to himself but think goal should be least make it a scrum to where wings are involved n then our wings have to be a factor. Can’t let wambach win 6-7-8 in row cleanly n find a groove. Make it a 50/50 gb battle n hope for the best. If can least tire wambach out as much as possible by making it a scrum maby he sits out one or two draws to catch breather (tho sure he takes everyone always). But as stated before knowing how good he is at x have absolutely have to step it up in all other facets of the game not just related to faceoff.

Agreed, need Mullen to throw his weight around. Wambach is elite, but is due for some regression. You get that if Mullen makes him work for it right from the opening draw. Huge if, but if the Cuse poles and be physical with Duffy and Petro without getting flagged we'll be in decent shape. I think this game will come down to the goalies. Have to test the freshman netminder early and often.