2016 NCAA Lacrosse Open Thread

[NDgradstudent]

So UNC is lightingn up Loyola even worse than they did ND. Clearly when they're going good they're going GREAT.

This gives me hope that a future ND team that flies under the radar during the regular season can similarly go on a run- a lower or unseeded team that has underperformed can go win a title. It also makes me think that although the defense fell apart in our game the bigger problem was offense (which was also true during the season in many close games).

Also, we'll have to see what happens on Monday, but if UNC wins this will be the ninth time in the past eleven tourneys that ND lost to the eventual champion. That is several times the comparable stat for the other elite programs. We seem to run into hot teams often.

Losses to eventual champion as portion of total tourney losses, NCAA Lacrosse Tournament, 2005-2016

Duke: 3/8 = 38%
Maryland: 5/12 = 42%
Notre Dame: 9/11 = 82%
Syracuse: 2/9 = 22%
Virginia: 3/8 = 38%

The denominators are different because all of these teams except for Maryland either were not in the tourney every year or won the title in one or several of these tournaments.

UPDATE: So I adjusted the data to reflect this year's tourney. At least when we lose it is to the best team.

 

[IrishLax]

Absolutely insane final. Wow.

 

[NDgradstudent]

Absolutely insane final. Wow.

We need some Canadian shooters. What is it with these guys.

 

[IrishLax]

We need some Canadian shooters. What is it with these guys.

Yeah no kidding. Every single guy can absolutely rip it. UNC has more HS All-Americans than anyone, and it shows up sometimes.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Again we lose to the eventual champ. Going into the tournament felt this was our year, so disappointing.

What is the outlook for the ND team next year?


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[IrishLax]

Again we lose to the eventual champ. Going into the tournament felt this was our year, so disappointing.

What is the outlook for the ND team next year?


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We lose a LOT on defense. I'm not very optimistic, but some of our best runs have come during "rebuilding years."

 

[ND NYC]

happy for that Carolina coach. such a sad story with death of his 3 yr old son. was pulling for them (after they beat us).

 

[IrishLax]

Notre Dame finishes 5th in the final poll and that's a wrap on a disappointing season... that somehow included a conference championship and a top 5 finish. Raised expectations is an interesting animal.

 

[OchoShayneO]

We lose a LOT on defense. I'm not very optimistic, but some of our best runs have come during "rebuilding years."

This was supposed to be a "rebuilding" year for Carolina (even with 20 UAA).

 

[irishrb]

Yes, it is amazing how expectations work, isn't it.

I will say, although we couldn't have been any more disappointed that they weren't at championship weekend, the event was an absolute blast. We've been to a lot of sporting events, and this was definitely our favorite..... We got to meet the Thompson brothers, Rabil, most of the Maryland players, and most of UNC's players. Lacrosse players are the nicest people you will ever meet. We've been to MLL games, college games, and now this championship weekend and they really go out of their way to say hello.....UNC players were slightly more social with us so that actually became the team we rooted for....which was totally different from what we were hoping for from the beginning since they thrashed ND.
Some things that stuck out to me over the weekend:
Division III game: Salibury was the most impressive TEAM we saw. Their ball movement and unselfish play was lacrosse at its best.
Division II game: Lacrosse NEEDS a shot clock to be more fan friendly.
Division I game: Recruiting matters...20 UA All Americans and it was noticeable. UNC just had the extra burst. They looked the most athletic and it payed off. Also, face-offs are just too big a part of the game right now.....Once again why a shot clock is a necessity....At least it will minimize that advantage a little bit.
LAX is still the most exciting sport that people don't know about...It really is a blast!

 

[NDgradstudent]

The UVA lacrosse board seems to think that Corrigan will be taking the UVA job. Let me emphasize that this has not been confirmed, but I assume we can speculate about this. Does anybody know anything about this? And if it is true, would Byrne take over?

 

[IrishLax]

The UVA lacrosse board seems to think that Corrigan will be taking the UVA job. Let me emphasize that this has not been confirmed, but I assume we can speculate about this. Does anybody know anything about this? And if it is true, would Byrne take over?

Yeah it's a done deal, at least per what I heard this past weekend. Byrne should get promotion.

 

[irishrb]

Interesting.
Better move??? Stick within, where they just can't get over that hump, with the same defensive minded philosophy, or try your luck outside of the program?

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Does this mean ND Lax will suck now?


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[NDgradstudent]

Interesting.
Better move??? Stick within, where they just can't get over that hump, with the same defensive minded philosophy, or try your luck outside of the program?

North Dakota hockey kept getting really close to another national title the past decade or so but couldn't win one. Then, their coach left to go to the NHL, his top assistant was promoted, and they promptly won the title. I think the truth is that Byrne would be a top choice for many other jobs; he has chosen to stay at ND. Maybe we can find a new assistant to improve the offense.

 

[FDNYIrish1]

Byrne is a great guy and great coach. I've met him a few times and actually play against him in Placid yearly. He's still a beast on the field too. I had the pleasure of working with his brother before he retired as well. I wouldn't assume it would be business as usual if he got promoted due to his expertise being the defense. Look at Tierney and Denver. Put the right people in the right place and great things happen. I don't see ND lax skipping a beat with him at the helm if this happens, and actually think it may be a great change.

 

[irishrb]

I am fine either way.....Byrne has earned it and would very likely keep things churning...I do think a fresh mind on offense could help...
I don't know who's out there, outside of the program, that they could look at, but I would hope that they keep an open mind and explore all options. It's time for this program to get over the hump and take that next step!

 

[IrishLax]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Say it isn't so.. <a href="https://twitter.com/NDlacrosse">@NDlacrosse</a> coach Corrigan to UVA. &#55357;&#56852;</p>— christine golic (@NDmom) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDmom/status/739946817236946945">June 6, 2016</a></blockquote>
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[irishrb]

That definitely ends a long tenure...
What are your thoughts LAX?
Giant loss, or okay, as it might be time for a change?

You have to wonder if this affected their play against unc?

 

[IrishLax]

My main thought is that the culture shock at UVA is going to be insane. Wouldn't be surprised to see oodles and oodles of transfers (or Corrigan has to change his style).

ND might actually be better with Gerry at the helm. Might.

 

[irishrb]

I guess we'll see. I still hope they keep all of their options open and find the right person that will finish this run they are on!

 

[NDgradstudent]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kevin Corrigan expected to make decision on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UVa?src=hash">#UVa</a> lacrosse offer in next 24 hours.</p>— Douglas Doughty (@DoughtySports) <a href="https://twitter.com/DoughtySports/status/740186875093123072">June 7, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Corrigan has done basically everything you can do here short of winning a title (and he has come pretty close to that too). As far as I know, he built the program from nothing. Isn't he, to put it bluntly, the "father" of ND lacrosse? So there's that. So we have a lot to lose.

On the other hand, this could be a Jamie Dixon/Rick Barnes etc type situation where a successful coach could use a change. I really don't know. I have confidence in Byrne though. I also wonder if he would hang around were he not given the job.

 

[IrishLax]

Breaking news... Corrigan turned down UVA. Got mixed feelings, but definitely lol at UVA who reported it was a "done deal."

 

[NDgradstudent]

So was he just doing this to leverage more money from ND? Not that there is anything wrong with that, but that's what the UVA people seem to think. On the other hand, they might be trying to blame someone else for people on their boards who cannot distinguish between someone making an offer and someone accepting an offer. I'm pretty sure the only reason this was a "story" is that someone on their board announced he was going to UVA, even though an offer was made.

I still want Byrne to be the coach after Corrigan retires. He's about ten years younger, right?

 

[IrishLax]

So was he just doing this to leverage more money from ND? Not that there is anything wrong with that, but that's what the UVA people seem to think. On the other hand, they might be trying to blame someone else for people on their boards who cannot distinguish between someone making an offer and someone accepting an offer. I'm pretty sure the only reason this was a "story" is that someone on their board announced he was going to UVA, even though an offer was made.

I still want Byrne to be the coach after Corrigan retires. He's about ten years younger, right?

I really think it's more that this is pretty clearly the only opportunity he will ever get to coach his alma mater. AND his family has tons of ties there. So it would've been very logical for him to want to take the job... or at least explore the opportunity of taking the job.

The UVA side of things really effed up with their leaks (again).

 

[irishrb]

Okay....Mixed feelings here too. Props to him though for sticking with his program!

 

[FDNYIrish1]

It's amazing how much this sport has changed. Twenty years ago you'd be a fool to turn down UVA. I know this had to be a strong pull for KC to go back, but it shows how much ND lacrosse has grown that he stays put. Now to just get over that damn hump and win on Memorial Day.

 

[Picasso]

It's amazing how much this sport has changed. Twenty years ago you'd be a fool to turn down UVA. I know this had to be a strong pull for KC to go back, but it shows how much ND lacrosse has grown that he stays put. Now to just get over that damn hump and win on Memorial Day.

If UVA gets the entire Brown staff, the ACC is back to being the #1 conference. With UNC playing up tempo and now UVA going hyper speed doesn't this change the dynamic in the Conference? Is this an inflection point for the ND program or do they stick to the tried and true schemes and grind out another ACC title?

 

[IrishLax]

Been on the internet for a few days now, but media now standing behind the rumor that Utah is adding DI lacrosse. Will start play in 2019 or 2020. I imagine USC and Stanford will follow suit sooner rather than later.

In unrelated news... ND had gotten a few flips recently. They added Connor Morin from Villanova who might be the best attackman in his year, and they also flipped Wheaton Jackoboice from Brown who has been playing down the road at Culver Academy and impressing as of late. Looking like a very strong 2017 class, will probably be rated in the top 5.

 

[irishroo]

Been on the internet for a few days now, but media now standing behind the rumor that Utah is adding DI lacrosse. Will start play in 2019 or 2020. I imagine USC and Stanford will follow suit sooner rather than later.

In unrelated news... ND had gotten a few flips recently. They added Connor Morin from Villanova who might be the best attackman in his year, and they also flipped Wheaton Jackoboice from Brown who has been playing down the road at Culver Academy and impressing as of late. Looking like a very strong 2017 class, will probably be rated in the top 5.

Hell yeah, don't think we've had a representative on the All-Name team since Westy graduated.