PCLL 2008 Championships - predict, report, discuss

[Ben Clark]

For what it's worth, I figured I'd give my own breakdown of the teams and players to watch just to see if everyone is thinking the same way I am.

# 1 Boston College - Still the clear-cut favorite in the PCLL. Have 3 of the top close defensemen in the league, playing in front of a stellar goaltender in T.R. Hoffman. Austin Gardner-Smith is one of the most dangerous attackmen in the conference, with a solid group of attack and midfielders around him.

# 2 Boston University - Come in to the playoffs after winning 7 straight. Very strong defense led by outstanding close defenseman Jon Yale-Loehr and goalie Russ porter. Very strong at the midfield position with 2 lines of all viable scoring threats, and a talented freshman class.

#3 New Hampshire - Comes into this game after an impressive one-sided victory over UConn. Johnny McNamara is arguably the best goaltender in the PCLL, and Ian Osgood is an LSM with the stick skills of an attackman. Eric Klotz and Michael Violandi lead a very potent attack trio.

# 4 Northeastern - Will be gunning for BC after that close OT loss on Sunday. Strong all around, led on the offensive end by 3 of the top 4 goalscorers in the conference with attackmen Jason Knerr and Michael Adamson, and midfielder Josh Meunier. LSM Griffin Knowlton is the player to watch on the defensive side.


Just figured I'd try to generate some chatter for the games tomorrow. Should be some good ones.

You've got a lot of good analysis here, but one thing I would disagree with is that BC is the clear cut favorite. I guess if you had to pick a favorite at gun-point you would pick BC, but to say they're the clear cut favorite? I think there's a lot more parity here than you might think. Playing Northeastern in the semis is definitely no gimme.

It's pretty incredible that BU has beaten every other team in the semis. Should they be the favorite?

Should be two great games tonight, can't wait to watch.

[SCLAX]

It's pretty incredible that BU has beaten every other team in the semis. Should they be the favorite?

BU is definitely coming in hot, but I still think that BC would be my pick. Looking at the season as a whole, BU lost to URI, Auburn, Clemson, and UC Davis. These teams aren't the same caliber as BC who beat ranked opponents like Florida and FSU. Obviously since BU beat BC head to head there is potential for upset, but I still think that's what it would be... another upset.

Good luck to all the remaining teams this weekend.

[Ben Clark]

It's pretty incredible that BU has beaten every other team in the semis. Should they be the favorite?

BU is definitely coming in hot, but I still think that BC would be my pick. Looking at the season as a whole, BU lost to URI, Auburn, Clemson, and UC Davis. These teams aren't the same caliber as BC who beat ranked opponents like Florida and FSU. Obviously since BU beat BC head to head there is potential for upset, but I still think that's what it would be... another upset.

Good luck to all the remaining teams this weekend.

Yeah, I have to agree. When you look at the body of work, BC should probably be the slight favorite. If BU had played like this the entire season, who knows where they would be in the polls.

All this talk about BC and BU, but would anyone be even the least bit surprised if the championship game ends up being NU vs UNH? I know I wouldn't.

[B2]

Predicitons for tonight:

BC by 4
UNH by 3

[Bill from Boston]

Predicitons for tonight:

BC by 4
UNH by 3

I can live with the BC- NU score as BC seemed to be in control of their game with NU and barring a second half meltdown could kept a 2 or 3 goal margin the whole game.

UNH-BU game I think has to go to BU though. Whatever the scouting report was on BU before the season you can throw it out, on a 7 game winning streak and playing their best lacrosse at the right time. BU 7 UNH 5.

Although I wouldn''t be surprised at all if it went the other way.

[B2]

Will playing 2 tough games in 2 days hurt either NU or UNH?

[Chowdah Head]

2 games in 2 days is not the only factor, but also it's quite a haul from Boston to Storrs, let alone from Durham. Speaking of which, is there any talk of BC BU and NU carpooling? gotta save the environment first right?

But seriously, I don't think the trip or the 2 games/2 days will be a problem. Regardless of any other factors, you come to the playoffs ready to play. If you let those factors affect you, you're not a championship team. Simple as that.

[More Cowbell]

BC 13
NU 9

[More Cowbell]

BU 11
UNH 5

3:00 left in game. Looking like a BC-BU rematch for the PCLL title.

[LockDownD]

Wow. Assuming everything stays the same in that game, the championship should be quite a match up. BC looked like they are finally beginning to play to their potential tonight. It will be interesting to see if they can carry their momentum over to Sunday. They will certainly have revenge for their only in-conference loss on the mind.

[B2]

2 good games played tonight. I would like to add that the host school was not represented well in my eyes. Maybe it is because they weren't playing but I would expect to have a more involved host school, especially since other schools would love to have it at their place. the only uconn reps were their drunk players in the stands yelling at the unh parents.

[BUffalo to Boston]

BU 13
UNH 5

[SCLAX]

For the Div A championship I'm predicting a tight, low scoring game. Both teams have pretty staunch defenses. BU's scoring comes mostly from the midfield, and BC's offense is mostly generated by their attack. BU takes a lot of shots, and BC tends to be patient. It will be a very interesting match-up, especially considering their prior engagement. BU has good chances because I think they will win more faceoffs. But I'm going with BC, 8-6.

[SCLAX]

I just thought of another interesting question. In the poll that was released 3 days ago, BC dropped from a #11 ranking to #14. If BC loses to BU in the finals, could they still get an at-large bid? I don't have time right now to see how many of the top 25 teams would get AQ's and how many spots that would leave for the possibility, but last year the PCLL sent 2 teams. Maybe they could do it again in 2008.

[Tim Gray]

I just thought of another interesting question. In the poll that was released 3 days ago, BC dropped from a #11 ranking to #14. If BC loses to BU in the finals, could they still get an at-large bid? I don't have time right now to see how many of the top 25 teams would get AQ's and how many spots that would leave for the possibility, but last year the PCLL sent 2 teams. Maybe they could do it again in 2008.

I think if BC were to lose again, they wouldn't have a very good shot at the national tournament, even though I still believe they are one of the top 16 teams in the nation. They would then have two upset loses in the final weeks of play which wouldn't help their cause.