Which Team Will Win Div A
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 8:44 pmWhich team will win the Div A title and why?
I think Div. A will be a good one as everyone of the top tier teams in GRLC are close (Mizzou, Wash U, Illinois, Lindenwood), then you got some promising teams like (SLU and Illinois State) who could upset some things then you got (Iowa, SMS, Kansas, Kansas State) who are looking to become a factor in the playoff race. I know already SMS people will be mad at me for lumping them in the bottom portion but they just moved to Div. A so they got to prove it to me this year (yes, I know they beat some Div. A teams last year but I want to see one whole season in Div. A before I can lump them into another tier) which they can do, look at Lindenwood, they were in same boat last year and impressed me. Now get ready for my John Paul-like long post.
Starting with the top, Mizzou. They return a big chunk of their team and I am sure they got some decent freshmen. Their roster on their web site only lists 2 attackmen so don't know who they got stepping up this year as they did lose Brass who I thought was a good player and sort of the QB of the offense. They will beat you with their midfield, tons of depth compared to other GRLC teams. I thought they had an average defense (their offense > defense) but still a dependable one last year but I see some new faces so if that improves, they could be solid. Mizzou are the champs until someone knocks them off.
Illinois is who I look at for at the #2 spot. They were great in the late 90's then seemed to take a couple steps back with lack of commitment (I always heard stories about people quiting half-way through the year) and now they have improved over the last 3 years I think. Another team that has some depth/talented midfield. I always felt when I played them that their attack was good but didn't play to the level they were capable of. I always felt more imtimidated by them going into the game then during even though they kicked our butt last year with my "great play in net". But 2 years ago, we only brought like 18 guys to Champaign and were missing some key guys and they kept us in the game longer then they needed to. It was only like a 2 goal lead at half but they pulled ahead in the second half. I still for some reason have this feeling they will put things together and take a run at Mizzou.
Lindenwood is who I put as the #3 team right now. Troy Hood really has improved this team and they had some talent when we played them. Another team which is sort of a theme in GRLC, their offense was better then their defense. They have a huge roster with some depth. I remember reading on their roster they have alot of new names this year too. They are a team I could see if Mizzou or Illinois doesn't take too serious, could jump on them and upset.
Rounding out the top four is Wash U. I don't know what to expect from them totally as they only brought like half their team to Iowa City last year but they have some talent despite losing Appel at midfield. I am a fan of Houston in net, one of the conference's best, even more so now with Hoppe graduated. I was also impressed with the tandem of Moritz and Eberlien on attack, great feeder/scorer combo.
As we enter the last 2 playoff spots, I think #5, my friendly rivals in Illinois State. They lose Hoppe in net which I think is a big loss although Brown is not too shabby of a back-up to have replace him. They also sport a nice attack led by Wagner who has a laser of a shot. I always found him one of the most difficult attackmen in GRLC to guard between him being so big and tall with that great shot. They looked good this fall when we played against them at Northern. Could take the #4 spot from Wash U.
The last playoff spot as off now is a toss-up between SMS and SLU. SLU is the type of team, you really don't know what to expect. They are another team I always felt could be a lot better but lacked commmitment as you could kind of seen with their off the field organization. They have the talent to grab the #6 spot.
SMS, they could be a team that could finish 7th but at the same time, could be challenging for the #4 or even #3 spot. They have some good St. Louis talent on their roster but this is their first season in Div. A. I want to see what they can do with a whole season of Div. A games.
Coming in at #8 are my beloved Hawkeyes. I can honestly take a look at them since I am not playing anymore. The loss of Pat Shannon in net 2 years ago really hurt them last year between Zehr (who never played lax til last year) and my 2 game stint didn't really help out. They gained a goalie this past year who has high school experience from Virginia. He is a little sporadic at times having his good moments and having his bad moments. Iowa is one of the few teams in the confernece who I think their defense out weights their offense. Matt Larson and Ben Vander Baan are 4 year starters and I honestly think Larson is one of the best defensemen in the conference. He didn't even get all-conference honors last year like I did but I felt he is much better then me. Great takeaway man with a sick stick who can intercept his fair share of passes he shouldn't. Kevin Egidi will probably be starting in the 3rd defensive spot depending on how good his back is. When it's not hurting, he can play a good game, he played Wagner from ISU the best out of anyone I have seen play at Iowa the past 3 years. Midfield, they are lacking depth like always but I love my blue collar Bryan Susi (those damn St. Louis kids) who does everything from score to clearing to playing defense. The kid hustles. They lost all 3 starters from last year's attack with 2 graduating and one transfering. Moved Sutti and Soljacich to attack and 4th string Mike Hake will be starting also. Got a couple decent freshmen including one who will play alot of defense if Egidi gets hurt or if someone needs a breather. The main problem with Iowa has always been commitment and I mean this the most with them compared to the other teams I mentioned. When I played there, there was a group of 5 to 8 guys who took this serious. We went to every practice, we did weights and ran on the side when it wasn't mandatory and we took things serious. We pushed each other. After that, a lot of them just play to have fun and something to do. The attitude has changed alot since last year as more people are buying into Kevin as a coach. This fall, this team looked more determinded compared to past and from what I have heard of practices so far, they know they need to be more commited if they want to compete for playoffs. They could be a team that finishes towards the bottom but if they get their stuff together, they could compete for a #5 or #6 spot.
As for KSU and KU, don't really know much about them to comment too much. More then likely they will be fighting this year with Iowa as not to be last place.
As you noticed I mentioned alot about offense and not so much on defense. Well, I played defense so all my attention in games was against these teams offense. I could be totally wrong on all of the above but that is my opinion which I know means nothing.
As for my random picks:
Off. MVP: Tim Wagner - Illinois State
Def. MVP: Don't really know, Houston as a goalie maybe
Coach: If Illinois wins this conference, then Brady. Maybe any of the teams 5-10's coach if they surprise someone and finish in Top 4.
Let the debating begin......yeah I am really bored hence the long post.........