CCLA-A Suprises

[Cousin17]

I know that the Michigan State game against Indiana this year was very close. Michigan State had a much better year overall as It seemed that Indiana took a step backwards this year from what they were in 2004. However, I do feel that Indiana was a much stronger team than Buffalo or Central Michigan who both made the CCLA playoffs this year.

[mholtz]

I happen to have the book here for the MSU/IU game. IU went up 10-9 with 4:50 left. MSU tied it at 3:43 then scored off the faceoff to go up 11-10. IU scored with 59 seconds left to tie it.

The book actually has 6 seconds left (although I remember 7 also) for the final goal to make it 12-11.

That was one of the more crazy endings I had ever seen (up until this previous weekend).

[laxman13]

MSU/IU ... definitely one of the more fun games of the season in my opinion

PS> Yes, a useless post

[wheelz33]

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 may be wrong, but I don't really think most guys choose a school for club lacrosse. I dont think one would chose between Oakland and Michigan St b/c of the difference of lacrosse programs.

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.

I think most people in the CCLA care more about seeing 3 or more teams make the national tourny then about seeing U of M replace a couple all-americans (which I dont think they will have a problem doing) I think Michigan would like to see this as much as anyone, it would improve their schedule strength.

Based on the CCLA playoffs, I would have to say Pitts showing against Oakland in the regular season was more of a fluke then anything.

[lax 34]

i would have to say that you are dead wrong on it being a fluke. i play for pitt, and during the regular season we actually had a gameplan, watched film, practiced and executed it, for the playoffs, we had three practices during finals week that totaled maybe half of the team showing up, and without a gameplan. not to mention we were awoken by the police b/c someone at our hotel vandalized a car. and from what it looked like while playing, oakland had a gameplan and executed it superbly, (taking nothing away from oakland, but michigan refs blow)

[wheelz33]

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,

Pitt did have a great regular season, and do not get me wrong, they were a great team this past year, and I am sure they will be great in upcoming seasons. I am not trying to bash Pitt. But I am just surprised that many of this board seem to think they were the definetly the 3rd best team this past year. They beat teams like Buffalo, East Carolina, and Western by only a goal. Nothing against those teams, but the margin should have been larger. You can have one off game, maybe even 2, but 3?

[wheelz33]

were you at any of those games? because if you were you would have seen that those teams played probably the best they ever will against any team. buffalo is the team that pitt always has trouble with, regardless of talent, western played out of their minds with pitt going into that weekend thinking blowouts becuase who wants to drive 7 hours to play those two games, and east carolina was the last game of the spring break trip, all that time on a bus, and heavy drinking will go to a one goal game, in the end, yeah should have beaten them by more probably, but when it comes down to it, good teams pull out those games no matter how bad they are playing

oakland is probably thinking the same thing about their one goal win over you guys.

[lax 34]

then i guess boston college must be doing the same, bc thats two top ten ranked teams, fluke as well?

[Cousin17]

Beating weaker teams by only 1 and losing to top 10 teams by only 1 are signs of a mediocre team.

By the way, refs can be the difference in close games (maybe 1 or 2 goal games), not in games that the final is 16-5. Michigan refs cannot account for an 11 goal loss.

Lax 34, quit giving excuses for every loss Pitt had this season. You are embarrassing your team and taking away from a decent regular season.

[the lax]

were you at any of those games? because if you were you would have seen that those teams played probably the best they ever will against any team. buffalo is the team that pitt always has trouble with, regardless of talent, western played out of their minds with pitt going into that weekend thinking blowouts becuase who wants to drive 7 hours to play those two games, and east carolina was the last game of the spring break trip, all that time on a bus, and heavy drinking will go to a one goal game, in the end, yeah should have beaten them by more probably, but when it comes down to it, good teams pull out those games no matter how bad they are playing

oakland is probably thinking the same thing about their one goal win over you guys.

Considering the semifinal win in the conference tournament, I'm sure Oakland isn't dwelling on that game at all.

Obviously Michigan is the measuring stick for the CCLA. I thought Oakland represented the conference nicely by going 2-1 in Blaine. Like the RMLC, it seems the CCLA is looking for the one extra team to push the top contenders, which can only help teams like Michigan and Oakland come tournament time.
This is the problem my high school faces. They are almost too good for local competition because when they face top ranked regional teams they are not comfortable playing against a team with similiar skills. Maybe this was the reason why Michigan was so easily bounced in the tournament years prior. This year, they are pushed by Oakland all seasn and look what happens, one goal away from the title game.

[the lax]

I may be wrong, but I don't really think most guys choose a school for club lacrosse. I dont think one would chose between Oakland and Michigan St b/c of the difference of lacrosse programs.

Just look at all the kids on the BYU roster that have turned down D1/D3 offers to play for the cougars. Club lacrosse has a strong recruited pull at high level schools and at low level. Think about it this way, if you want to play club lacrosse, you have to pay to play. Wouldn't you rather pay to play on a good team, like Oakland vs. Michigan State? Colorado State's yearly dues are roughly 2,000. Essentially, they are buying a chance at the national title each year. If Colorado State costs 2,000$ and for example Buffalo cost $2,000, which would you choose?

[umdlax7]

[Just look at all the kids on the BYU roster that have turned down D1/D3 offers to play for the cougars. Club lacrosse has a strong recruited pull at high level schools and at low level. Think about it this way, if you want to play club lacrosse, you have to pay to play. Wouldn't you rather pay to play on a good team, like Oakland vs. Michigan State? Colorado State's yearly dues are roughly 2,000. Essentially, they are buying a chance at the national title each year. If Colorado State costs 2,000$ and for example Buffalo cost $2,000, which would you choose?

They turn down varsity schools to go to BYU because they are LDS. It has little or nothing to do with the quality of the lacrosse program.

[John Paul]

There are certainly some MDIA programs that recruit actively. Many of the california teams do. We do. BYU does (not all of their players are LDS, and some of the ones they have might have gone elsewhere if they hadn't been recruited). Georgia Tech does. Florida State is doing more recruiting now. There are others.

Some MDIA players do factor the lacrosse team heavily in their school decision. Of course, there are a lot of other factors that must be weighed, whether the program is varsity or club, scholarship or pay to play (academic strengths, possibility of admissions, size of school, location, cost, job prospects, atmosphere, etc.). You're right that most club players don't choose their school because of lacrosse, but there are more and more who make it a major part of their decision process. If playing competitively is important to them as part of their college experience, then the lacrosse team MUST be a factor in their decision.