whose gonna take it all this year in the CCLA

[Cousin17]

I agree with defense_wins_championship. Look at the LSA for example. Not one of their teams is ranked anymore but one will still get an automatic bid to Nationals. There 4 or more teams in the CCLA alone that could win that conference and deserve the spot at nationals that an LSA team will get.

[Bentiss]

But my question for Bentiss or anyone else involved with Oakland, is how are their underclassman?? Do they have a good recruiting class coming in?? Michigan obviously gets excellent recuiting classes year in and year out, what about Oakland, are they going to be able to run with Michigan for the next few years, or once Binge and Opron graduate, will they become a team that fades, like Buffalo from a couple years ago.
Personally, I'm a fan of Oakland and would like to see teams challenge Michigan in the CCLA, but the last few years it seems that teams can only challenge Michigan for a year or two.

s-kim77,

I totally agree with you about the recruiting. My point, however, has been about this year only. Oakland has a very good team THIS YEAR. I don't know much about the recruiting other than the past 5 years have seen Oakland improve greatly each year. You make a great point about teams only being able to compete for blocks of 2-3 years at a time with Michigan, and that speaks volumes for that program.

Early April may answer some questions about the rivalry. Michigan and Oakland still may meet two times after the regular season game.

I'll steal Towbey Kassa's thunder and gratuitously thank both teams for the great games they will hopefully provide.

[Cousin17]

Oakland has benefitted more from recent DII & DIII transfers that are So. and Jr. (eligibility) than incoming freshman recuits.

[CDSLax8]

I know Oakland is a good team. I just don't know what they've done to deserve such high rankings. From my one game experience with them last year, which happened to be the tournament championship, they didn't seem to be anything special. We, Miami, actually had that game won. They didn't do that well overall last year, I know they lost to several suspect teams. It just seems to me that they got such a high ranking due to their one win against Michigan. By the end of the year they might have proven to be a top ten team, and I will eat my words, but right now they just haven't done much.

[Bentiss]

I know Oakland is a good team. I just don't know what they've done to deserve such high rankings. From my one game experience with them last year, which happened to be the tournament championship, they didn't seem to be anything special. We, Miami, actually had that game won. They didn't do that well overall last year, I know they lost to several suspect teams. It just seems to me that they got such a high ranking due to their one win against Michigan. By the end of the year they might have proven to be a top ten team, and I will eat my words, but right now they just haven't done much.

They must have done something right. They have recruited well the past few years and as Cousin17 said:

Oakland has benefitted more from recent DII & DIII transfers that are So. and Jr. (eligibility) than incoming freshman recuits.

I don't know what your athletic experience has been outside of club lacrosse, but regarding last year's CCLA Championship game there was definitely a factor called FATIGUE. For those of you who do not know, fatigue is not only a physical detriment, but can also be psychological. Oakland had nothing to play for last year other than respect. I'd like to see any team respond as they have last year and this after going through what they have...Most teams would IMMEDIATELY fold. Oakland, mentally, had a tough season last year. I am sure that it was even hard to get up for the Michigan game knowing that no matter how hard they play, they will not end up in St. Louis. Beating Michigan shows how determined Oakland was to make an impact beyond last year.

And as far as Miami having the game won...That you may think, but there are two sides to this coin...It says a lot knowing that you then FOUND A WAY TO LOSE to a physically and mentally drained team...

I hope that all the Oakland players see your post and realize what respect Miami has for them. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH MIAMI FEELS NOT ONLY THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE WON THE CCLA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, BUT THEY DID...
If I played for Oakland I would take that pretty personally as a slap in the face from the whole Miami program.

Good luck guys...

[CDSLax8]

You're right

[LaxGuru]

Can Pittsburgh make the same claim against Miami then? They had a 4 goal lead with minutes to go and blew it, but understood that they got beat. Games go from whistle to whistle, and the final score is what matters. Pittsburgh was also up on Michigan at half and lost but admitted they lost.

[CDSLax8]

I understand we lost, no doubt about it. I was just saying for a team with such high merits, they barely got a win against a decent team in the championship. I realize all that matters is the final score. Honestly, I am the direct reason why we lost, so I still feel bitter about that, but we lost and that's it. I think my first post was read as an offensive comment about Oakland. I truly didn't mean it that way. I have a lot of respect for Oakland and it's program. I wish them all the best because if they succeed, it looks good upon the CCLA and I'm all for that. Sorry again. I don't want this to be a serious argument.

[LaxGuru]

I wasn't trying to jump on you, I'm sorry if it came across that way. I've been talking to people from different leagues trying to promote the CCLA and justify Oaklands ranking ( after all, they are defending CCLA champs{no slight meant for JP and the Wolverines}) BUT I keep getting the same argument that CCLA teams have to travel West for validity, why not them coming here? Plan 2-3 weekends where different teams come in to Michigan, Oakland, Ohio or Pa and offer games against your CCLA brethren to get the much needed league exposure we desperately crave?

While I know all teams consider themselves rivals, but we need to band together to get the CCLA the respect and exposure so we can get more teams ranked and into the Nationals.

[Bentiss]

understand we lost, no doubt about it. I was just saying for a team with such high merits, they barely got a win against a decent team in the championship. I realize all that matters is the final score. Honestly, I am the direct reason why we lost, so I still feel bitter about that, but we lost and that's it. I think my first post was read as an offensive comment about Oakland. I truly didn't mean it that way. I have a lot of respect for Oakland and it's program. I wish them all the best because if they succeed, it looks good upon the CCLA and I'm all for that. Sorry again. I don't want this to be a serious argument.

What you've said has been heard...I have nothing more to say and neither should you.

I'm done with this topic...SEACREST OUT!

[Sonny]

Two words fellas:

CHILL PILL

Time to end the keyboard bravado immediately.