Sean Burns

  (2:01 PM)

Okay sports fans, Brandon is getting settled in and is going to fire me some responses to the questions you've submitted in a minute... Keep 'em coming and we'll post as we go.

Buck (Columbus)

Brandon, how is practice going? What have you been doing and focusing on specifically as a team? Good luck on Saturday.

Brandon Freeman

  (2:05 PM)

Practice is going well. Mondays we focus on ourselves as a team and what we need to do to get better. The rest of the week we focus on getting ready for the upcoming opponent.

J. McCune (Londonderry NH)

Hey Brandon, Congrats on making it! I was wondering what you have learned since leaving Londonderry that has helped you the most? BTW I am not surprised about you making such an impact on your squad. You were always top notch. Thanks, and continued luck and success. Coach

Brandon Freeman

  (2:35 PM)

Hi coach. Thanks for the message. I've learned a lot more defensive schemes and how to break down opposing offenses. I think in high school I relied more on my athletic ability than my lacrosse IQ. Good luck in the upcoming season and bring home the Beeman Trophy.

spud Johnson (Iowa)

who was your biggest influence that was a player on your team?

Brandon Freeman

  (2:36 PM)

I would say Nick Cosco, who I played with growing up until my senior year in high school when he went to Endicott, where he was an All-American attackman. He's the one who taught me everything about the game of lacrosse and put me in net since I started out as a middie. He had a shot that was over 100 miles an hour when we were in high school. He helped make me a better goalie by practicing with him all the time.

Tom (Baltimore)

How do you like playing under a coach like Myers and Baxter

Brandon Freeman

  (2:37 PM)

I enjoy their energy and passion during practices. They both have tremendous passion for the game.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

Which College Lacrosse players who are currently playing in College will play in MLL in 2010?

Brandon Freeman

  (2:38 PM)

I don't really know, but I know one player I grew up with in New Hampshire, Steve Boyle who is a senior at Hopkins, would make a great MLL attackman.

Ann (New Jersey)

How did you get picked to be one of the captains this year?

Brandon Freeman

  (2:40 PM)

Andrew Stimmel, Scott Foreman and I were lucky enough to be chosen by the team itself after going through the process of trying out and presenting our views and ideas to the team in the fall. We are all different kids and bring different styles of leadership that complement each other nicely.

Ian (Michigan)

What does Anthony Kelly bring to practice, being a player in the MLL?

Brandon Freeman

  (2:42 PM)

Anthony brings great knowledge of the faceoff X which he's been coaching for our guys. He also has a great passion for Ohio State lacrosse since he was an amazing faceoff guy for us when he played. He's considered one of the best players in the country and has all kinds of experience that he can share with us.

Michael (Ohio)

Brandon,How are you guys preparing for the next game? After a tough loss to Nova what are you guys looking to improve on?

Brandon Freeman

  (2:43 PM)

After a loss to Bucknell on the road last week we're really focusing on fundamentals and taking care of the ball. We're excited to play UMass this weekend. It will be streamed at OhioStateBuckeyes.com if you want to check it out.

Greg (Boston)

Hey Brandon, what types of thing have you worked on this week to improve upon the Bucknell game? UMass plays a more offensive, less defensive game, making your play more important in my mind?

Brandon Freeman

  (2:49 PM)

UMass has a great offense - they've put up big points in their last games. We know we'll have our hands full but we're excited and up to the challenge of playing a great team like them. We look for our offense to have a great day as well - we focus on playing as a team.

chris (columbus)

Brandon, How is it playing with Scott Foreman ? He seems like an intense competetior with a giant heart.

Brandon Freeman

  (2:50 PM)

Scott is the vocal leader of our defense and a fierce competitor. He definitely helps hold our whole defense together.

Jeffy (Corning)

At Ohio State do you get a lot of gear and do you keep your helmets?

Brandon Freeman

  (2:51 PM)

At Ohio State we're lucky enough to have sponsors who keep us in the newest gear. We are outfitted with pretty much anything a lacrosse layer would need, both on the field and for working out and traveling. Just this year we got three new sets of uniforms and new helmets.

Kevin Nix (Vernon, New Jersey)

What do colleges like to see out of you in your highschool years?

Brandon Freeman

  (2:53 PM)

One thing I think a lot of kids overlook is the mental aspect and being able to pick yourself up after you make a mistake. College coaches don't like to see you hang your head after you made a bad play - they'd rather have you hustle to correct it or focus on the next play.

haircut (Columbus)

Brandon you are one of the smallest guys in division I lacrosse, does this affect your goalie play at all?

Brandon Freeman

  (2:54 PM)

Although I'm small, I like to think I'm quick so it's easier for me to get myself fully behind the ball to make saves, which is the only thing that matters.

Leonard (Ohio)

Brandon how did you answer that question from Ian?!? He's from Michigan!!! Don't you wish that rivalry was in lacrosse too??

Brandon Freeman

  (3:01 PM)

The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry is part of what makes being a Buckeye great. We played them in scrimmage my sophomore year and that was a lot of fun. Maybe someday they'll make lacrosse a DI sport and we can carry the rivalry onto the lacrosse field.

Sean Burns

  (3:01 PM)

Alright folks, Brandon has to call it an afternoon, so thanks again for stopping by for this week's ESPN/IL chat. Check back next week for a player from the upcoming Konica Minolta Face-Off Classic...