CCLA-A Suprises

[laxman13]

Gimmie some thoughts

[the lax]

Indiana or Pitt, certainly. Might even go as far to say as one of those teams will be in the CCLA finals, possibly the tournament.

[davidheyburn]

I know that there had been some talk on the forum that my University; Miami, did no have the season that some expected us to have. This year was certainly an struggle on many fronts. We had difficulty coming together as a team and balancing dedication to lacrosse with the complete College experience. I believe that our team has made some dramatic strides on and off the field although our record and production did not show it this season. We have had enormous growth to our program have had the ability to attract many players from across the country to Miami, which is a very attractive University apart from any lacrosse experience. Having a growing program that is not a varsity program but can provide a competitve atmosphere who desire that, adds to the attractiveness to our School as well as our Lacrosse Program. From my days as a freshman, our program has virtually done a 180 (well more like 130 degrees, we weren't that bad in the NCLL), but nonetheless, I believe that this season we atleast laid the ground work for a very strong program for the years to come. I know that we will have many dedicated players, who will look to get the best out of our program. We will have new coach as well who will hopefilly add even more to the program. I rambled a bit, but for this poll I will certainly vote for My school, The Miami University Redhawks.


GO 'SKINS!!!!
Best of Luck to all

[Cousin17]

I don't think we will see much of a surprise from any of those teams. They are all more than a year away from contending with the top two teams in the conference.

[Bentiss]

I know that there had been some talk on the forum that my University; Miami, did no have the season that some expected us to have.

Don't flatter yourselves...Not many expected you to have a great season other than yourselves. I don't expect any teams other than Michigan, Oakland, or Pitt to contend for the CCLA in the next 5 or so years. I'll even predict that Michigan is the only true contender the next 5 years unless Oakland can recover from some of their losses. I don't know what they have coming in next year.

[Laxtime]

Bentiss,

Do you even play lacrosse? Dave was just trying to make the point that many people felt Miami was going to make an impact on the CCLA. This is a direct reflection of their #16 Pre season rank. So many people did feel that Miami would have a great season.

[Bentiss]

Do I even play lacrosse? What does that have to do with what I said? And yes, I do.

I understand what Dave wasd trying to say and I couldn't have disagreed with him more. I was saying that only Miami thought Miami would have an impact on anything. Their #16 ranking had to do with their performance against a mentally/physically exhausted Oakland team in the CCLA Finals of the season prior. I don't think many were surprised with their season.

[Laxtime]

Bentiss,

So you dont think it might have been because they only lost 2 regular season games the year prior or maybe it was the fact that they returned every single starter from that team. You really should get your facts straight before you make these moronic statements. Miami under achieved this year and in the near future there will be teams to compete with Michigan.

[wheelz33]

I'll have to agree with Bentiss that only Michigan is a true contender the next few years. I have to throw out a question though. What did Pitt do this past season that Michigan St didnt do? Throw State, and I beleive Indiana and Miami also, into Pitts position in the weaker Lakes division, and any one of those teams could of had just as good of a season.

[the lax]

I'll have to agree with Bentiss that only Michigan is a true contender the next few years. I have to throw out a question though. What did Pitt do this past season that Michigan St didnt do? Throw State, and I beleive Indiana and Miami also, into Pitts position in the weaker Lakes division, and any one of those teams could of had just as good of a season.

I guess to answer that question is with a question. Did Michigan State play a ranked Oakland team and lose by one in the regular season? Did Michigan State play a ranked BC team and lose by in the regular season?
Pitt had a great regular season, its not their fault they are in the weaker sub-conference. Do you think Texas wants to be in the same sub-conference as Oklahoma? They never get a shot at the Big 12 Championship unless they beat what seems to be the #1 team in the nation every time they play. See the comparison to the Big 12 North South and CCLA's two divisions. Oklahoma/Texas vs little Kansas St/Colorado. Michigan/Oakland vs. little Pitt. Do not haze Pitt for logistics. They had to go through Oakland to get into the conference finals. MSU had to defeat Michigan. Both Michigan State and Pitt got destroyed. What do you expect. They weren't ready. Maybe next year. Maybe the year after that. As long Pitt keeps bringing in NY talent they are going to have the best chance for the CCLA, behind Michigan and Oakland. MSU gets the instate left overs of Michigan and Oakland, I think we all can agree with that.

I don't think the CCLA should be concerned with who is next to take down Michigan. They should be concerned as to how Michigan going to replace numerous All Americans to make a run at another national championship or at least another tournament quarterfinal victory.

[Cousin17]

Michigan State and Pittsburgh should have played in a consolation 3rd place game at the CCLA championships. That would have been really exciting considering how bad each team wants that 3rd place spot now

[Bentiss]

Bentiss,

So you dont think it might have been because they only lost 2 regular season games the year prior or maybe it was the fact that they returned every single starter from that team. You really should get your facts straight before you make these moronic statements. Miami under achieved this year and in the near future there will be teams to compete with Michigan.

NO I DON"T THINK IT HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT...My facts were straight all along, don't worry about that. Every single starter they returned did not compare with Oakland and Michigan's. The season they had 2 years ago wouldn't have been impressive unless they went undefeated. Miami was a typical team in an overall weak league that got big heads losing 2 games while playing a mediocre schedule. I know you can't fathom anyone thinking Miami is anything less that awesome, but I guess that's the typical thought of mediocre MDIA teams. I'm not surprised.

[laxman13]

let me ask this instead:

What is your predicted top 4 for next year?

Im thinking -
1.)Michigan
2.)Oakland
3.)Pitt
4.)Indiana

[Cousin17]

Michigan State will be better than Indiana. Miami will not make it to the Playoffs.

[laxman13]

The statement about MSU being better than IU is definitely up for debate. The game this year was ridiculous, with IU losing by a goal with 7 seconds left. IU is returning basically their entire team seeing as they were all froshs and sophmores last year. They lost to both Pitt and MSU by a goal . I think they will be decent next year... I'll say top 4 pretty easily