Matt Kinnear

  (2:02 PM)

Welcome to the first Inside Lacrosse chat of the year. Stay tuned for chats with IL staff members and special guest players throughout the season. Answering questions today will be Associate Editor and recruiting guru Geoff Shannon, Online Editor and women's expert Danielle Bernstein, Staff Writer Zach Babo and Managing Editor Terry Foy.

Mark (New Haven, CT)

Which team outside of the traditional powers (Syracuse, Virginia, UNC, Cornell, Princeton and Hopkins) do you see as the biggest threat to win the NCAA title in 2011?

Zach Babo

  (2:06 PM)

If Notre Dame has as good or better of a defense as it did last year, they are a pretty attractive pick. I saw them play Princeton and Maryland in the playoffs, and it was impressive how they just utterly frustrated both offenses. At some point, the offenses got so frustrated that they starting shooting themselves in the foot.Otherwise no one. I mean really , does anyone believe that some small team out of the MAAC or America East or something is going to surprise us all the way to the Championship, because I sure don't.

Reggie (Highlands Ranch, CO)

What are your thoughts of teams moving from the MCLA to Division 1 Lacrosse. Will ESPN family of channels ever play MCLA games (i.e. - Michigan vs Oregon)

Danielle Bernstein

  (2:08 PM)

To answer the first part of this question, I think you have to remember to not think of it as a team moving from the MCLA to Division I as much as a school adding a Division I lacrosse program. A school's decision to add a sport isn't really based on the MCLA team but more on financial situations and what sport is the best fit for the school. That being said, I think it's great that schools are adding Division I lacrosse. It's undoubtedly terrific for the sport to have a footprint in the midwest (Marquette) and potentially Michigan and I hope the trend of growth continues. The MCLA does have games broadcast but not on the ESPN family of networks and I don't see that changing in the near future.I think the MCLA will generate television interest from Fox College Sports as it has in the past and games will continue to be broadcast and live-streamed but I don't see the MCLA having games on ESPN.

Gerald Ung (Temple)

Gun to your head, Maryland or Long Island lax?

Geoff Shannon

  (2:09 PM)

As an unbiased recruiting guru, I'm ready to sacrifice myself to that bullet.

Geoff Shannon

  (2:09 PM)

Honestly, Apples to Oranges comparison. Maryland is private-focused, Long Island is public school focused. Maybe the Long Island students are more dedicated to fall sports, helping shape their overall athleticism? But many of the MIAA players are multi-sport athletes as well. One thing in common, almost all lacrosse recruits in both areas can get through the admissions process relatively easily.

Michal (Oregon)

What teams have the top defenses?

Zach Babo

  (2:11 PM)

I'd say Notre Dame is about the best in the country, in terms of both system, personnel, and how well that personnel operates in that system.

Zach Babo

  (2:11 PM)

Bryant has consistently been a great defensive team, and never gets any recognition for it.

Zach Babo

  (2:12 PM)

Their goalie, Jameson Love is fantastic, but he gets over shadowed in his conference by Mount St. Mary's TC DiBartolo.And generally, they play the tough, hard-nosed style emblematic of Pressler teams.

Will Yoo (Stony Brook)

Whats going on with Duke, what new faces should we be looking for. Whats the deal with Costabile is he playing close D or LSM? And whats going on with the Duke goalie.

Terry Foy

  (2:15 PM)

Check InsideLacrosse.com Monday for the Blue Devils' preview that's sure to include answers a little fuller than you'll get here (including a podcast with Coach Dino I'll record this afternoon).

Terry Foy

  (2:19 PM)

Tom Montelli, freshman Luke Duprey and Costabile are all in their top 4/5 defenders, so even though each is best at LSM, there's no way they can't all be on the field. It's similar to what we've seen at the offensive end, where teams have run four and sometimes five attackmen. Speaking of attack, Duke looks like they'll rely on Josh Offit and transfer Jesse Fehr to compliment Zach Howell. As for the goalie situation, Mike Rock and Dan Wigrizer are battling it out, it seems, like they did most of last year.

Gerald Johanssen (PS 118)

What impact do you think the Long Island boys, Nicky Galasso and Tommy Schreiber will have for their schools and what kind of numbers do you see them putting up?

Geoff Shannon

  (2:20 PM)

Hearing that Galasso scored a hat trick in a recent UNC scrimmage. With poles focused on Billy Bitter and Marcus Holman, known commodities, Galasso could put up big numbers.

Geoff Shannon

  (2:20 PM)

Chanenchuk's absence from Princeton's lineup could give Schreiber an early opportunity to be a contributor. They run that two-man system there, which may take a little adjustment for him to come up to speed with us, but like points from him as well.

Geoff Shannon

  (2:20 PM)

Think they're both respective Rookie of the Year candidates in their leagues.

Arnold (PS 118)

What is up with Harvard? They have boatloads of talent with two of the leading scorers in Long Island history and top recruiting classes! But they can't seem to compete for Ivy league titles

Zach Babo

  (2:21 PM)

You are familiar with the Ivy League, right?

Zach Babo

  (2:21 PM)

Cornell has been a powerhouse the past 4 or 5 years, and Princeton is returning to form. Throw in Brown having solid squads and Yale being an up and comer, and it is far from an easy league for any team to distinguish itself.

Zach Babo

  (2:22 PM)

Add in the recent coaching turnover at Harvard, and there are decent reasons why they can't emerge from the Ivy.

Mike (Chicago)

If lacrosse were to have a foothold in the midwest, you need the Big Ten schools to add lacrosse. Notre Dame and Marquette won't get that done. We in the midwest still see lacrosse as an east coast thing.

Skeeter Valentine (Bluffington)

Who do you think the best short stick defensive middie is? I'm tempted to say Steven Dinapoli or Jared Leverne, but I like Kevin Drew and Josh Hawkings potential

Geoff Shannon

  (2:24 PM)

Steven Dinapoli by a mile heading into the season. Can change a game, and knows how to lockdown top middies. Huge asset for the Pride this season.

Gerald Johanssen (PS 118)

Do you see Cornell returning to a Final 4 despite losing Ryan Hurley, Pierce Derkac, and other pieces

Darren (Ohio)

How do you think Cornell will do this season with 8 returning starters but a revamped coaching staff?

Roger Klotz (Bluffington)

What do you see Cornell doing this year? Their defense is legit, but how much can their offense rely on just one player (Pannell) who seems to disappear at times especially for a player of his caliber

Terry Foy

  (2:25 PM)

I am taking a wait-and-see approach with Cornell, and I'll see them for the first time in action Saturday when they scrimmage at Johns Hopkins. However, having spent two days up there in January, I like the vibes I'm getting from this team. Those worried about the transition from Tambroni to DeLuca should have their fears settled somewhat by how difficult it is to get a player who knows each to talk about how different one is from the other. Certainly, the attitude Cornell lacrosse is known for remains.

Terry Foy

  (2:25 PM)

From a personnel perspective, they've got weapons emerging. They'll be strong through the midfield with guys like Jack Dudley, JJ Gilbane and others getting the ball to an attack that has tons of weapons to go along with Rob Pannell, who is a top five player nationally. Defensively, I think they'll be better, with AJ Fiore's play being key, and it sounds like he's getting pushed hard in practice. The question mark is replacing their face-off production.

nate (ohio)

who will start for syracuse at that third attack spot?

Zach Babo

  (2:26 PM)

I think you might see attack by committee: Keogh and Marasco are probably the most obvious starters, but Tim Desko could see time, as well as Tom Palasek, depending on maybe who creates the more favorable match ups.

Brian (New Jersey)

With recent news of at least 4 verbal commitments form the 2013 class, who haven't played their SOPHOMORE season yet, has lacrosse reached a tipping point in recruiting that it has gone too far?

Brian (New Jersey)

What are your thought's on the current recruiting with (at last count) 4 verbals from 2013? Have we reached a recruiting tipping point?

Geoff Shannon

  (2:28 PM)

I tend to be a free market capitalist when it comes to recruiting. Basketball takes verbal commitments from eighth-graders, hockey the same. Not that I (or many DI coaches) wouldn't mind more regulation concerning the recruiting calendar, but I don't mind the market as is either.

Geoff Shannon

  (2:28 PM)

Families of top recruits like it because they can stop worrying about the future of their kids, top DI coaches can start to secure the future of their programs, and mid-tier DI coaches now have a bevy of late-developing, top notch recruits to choose from.

Bunk (Massapequa)

Any thoughts on how Joe Amplo fills out his staff at Marquette?

Zach Babo

  (2:29 PM)

Honestly, not really, just because there is such a deep pool of good assistant coaches out there. I personally think you benefit by getting guys that come from winning traditions. It would be interesting to see him pluck John Walker off the back end of UVa's staff. Pat Myers off of UNC could be another good one, but either of those guys might be reluctant to leave the great programs and great head coaches they work for.

Adam (OH)

GoodMusicAllDay! Great hook-up with the premier online site for free music!

Matt Kinnear

  (2:30 PM)

Thanks, look for more "player" content on InsideLacrosse.com

Roger Klotz (Bluffington)

Who are your breakout defensemen this year?

Zach Babo

  (2:32 PM)

I think same Barnes is going to return to form, I don't know if he counts as a break out since he was excellent in 2009, and was sidelined with injuries in 2010.

Zach Babo

  (2:32 PM)

Jonathan Meyers at Princeton has been good, and I wouldn't be surprised if he takes the next step to being dominant this year. It doesn't hurt that he is playing next to one of the best defensemen we all know about in Chad Wiedmaier.

Zach Babo

  (2:32 PM)

I don't know if he counts as a defenseman or a breakout player, but Dana WIlber is one of the most underrated longsticks I have seen.

Zach Babo

  (2:33 PM)

I have to think, based on genetics alone, that at some point we will be talking about UVa sophomore Howie Long.

Jax Teller (Buffalo, NY)

Do any of the MAAC teams have the chance to upset a top 20 team during the season?

Terry Foy

  (2:34 PM)

Yes, the league is developed to the point that any year, a MAAC team could score an upset. However, this is a relatively down year for league, compared to the last three. They lost their reigning champion with Mount moving to the NEC and graduated some good talent, particularly defensively.

Terry Foy

  (2:34 PM)

I think Canisius has the best all-around offensive talent and Siena probably has the best squad, but whether that equates to a top 20 win remains to be seen. That said, the MAAC welcomes Jacksonville, who beat Denver last year when they were in the top 20 and will only get better in its second season.

Mike (Chicago)

When will the Big East have it's first postseason tournament?

Matt Kinnear

  (2:36 PM)

http://insidelacrosse.com/news/2011/02/09/mens-lacrosse-first-two-big-east-championship-sites-dates-announced

John (Boston)

Have you guys heard of Babson College's lax team? From what I hear, although D3, they're up and coming.

Matt Kinnear

  (2:38 PM)

Thanks, John. We'll have to check them out. Lots of great DIII programs up and coming. A great time for the sport.

Donald (Glenwood, MD)

Who will step up for the Maryland women with the graduation of Caitlyn McFadden?

Danielle Bernstein

  (2:38 PM)

Obviously Maryland's midfield is going to be slightly different this year without McFadden but they do return three very talented starting midfielders in sophomore Katie Schwarzmann and seniors Laura Merrifield and Brandi Jones. Schwarzmann's impact was magnified in Maryland's preseason scrimmages against Team USA a couple weeks ago. They struggled without her in the lineup (she suited up for the U.S. team) on both the offensive end and through transition. Cathy Reese has said this year's midfield will be even faster than they were last year as each of these girls can fly down the field. At 6-1, Merrifield is a matchup nightmare for any opponent. The coaching staff has also been impressed by freshman Beth Glaros, who started against Team USA

Vincent (Bethlehem, PA)

Is Kevin Cassese one of the top young coaches in the sport of lacrosse?

Geoff Shannon

  (2:39 PM)

I'd put him in the mix. He's done a lot with a program that isn't fully funded and plays in a tough conference. He's improved recruiting and profile of the school in a short time. Next few years, as his recruits mature, should prove a better barometer.

chris (florida)

what arm pads do you recommend for a defender?

Terry Foy

  (2:40 PM)

As a former goalie, I'm not the guy to go to for arm pad advice. That said, most defenders I talk to that prefer to use the smallest arm pads possible are big on sleeve-based padding, like Nike's Pro Combat and Brine's Lopro stuff.

Mike (Chicago)

Is Stony Brook overrated if you say that no team from America East can win the Championship?

Zach Babo

  (2:41 PM)

Haha, good catch, but I didn't say that no team from the America East can win a Championship, I said "some small team from the MAAC or America East", in other words, some team that is typically overlooked or a doormat will suddenly shock the world.

Zach Babo

  (2:41 PM)

i think Stony Brook has a lot of potential and key players to push them into the conversation, and there isn't a more dangerous attack/middie duo than Kevin Crowley and Jordan McBride, but I worry about any team unfamiliar with the Final Four going all the way on their first trip.

Zach Babo

  (2:41 PM)

And Stony Brook presents two things that worry me a little come May. 1-They play a good schedule, but not a lot of teams you will be banking on seeing in the tournament. 2-The past few years, I think the teams with the most depth have really stood out on Memorial Day weekend, so will Stony Brook have enough legs to push through the two toughest games of the year, within three days of each other?

Bruce Evans (FL)

Army or UMAsss

Terry Foy

  (2:43 PM)

They're really even in my estimation, because I'm one of those who thinks UMass is underrated and that Army has a taller task in replacing graduated playmakers like Tyler Seymour and Tyler Oates, who were big in the clutch and on EMO, than most of my counterparts seem to think.

Terry Foy

  (2:43 PM)

That said, I still have to think Army takes the edge because I'm a big believer that in the early season, conditioning is vital to staying on the practice field and getting ready for games, and no teams do that better than service academies.

Matt Kinnear

  (2:44 PM)

Also Bruce. We'll have a reporter in the cold at UMass live blogging the game. Check out InsideLacrosse.com on Saturday.

Tim (Toronto)

Are there any true freshman among IL's top recruits that will start and make an impact with the top ranked teams???? Who among these freshmen should we watch out for???

Geoff Shannon

  (2:44 PM)

Well, we mentioned Galasso, and while I don't know if he's starting I expect to see Schreiber earn playing time early with Princeton. I also have a suspicion we'll see Scott McWilliams (Virginia), Andrwe Hodgson (Towson), Rob Emery (Virginia), Eric Ruhl (Johns Hopkins) Austin Kaut (Penn State) and Liam O'Connor (Notre Dame) early.

Geoff Shannon

  (2:45 PM)

Actually, I'm almost more intrigued to see what freshmen who didn't make our Power 100 end up earning a starting nod. Helps refocus our recruiting research efforts

dominick (new jersey)

can more games be televised?

Matt Kinnear

  (2:47 PM)

Let's hope, Dominick. The biggest way to grow the game is it being on TV. Internet TV (ESPN3, school websites) is doing great things, and I think we'll see more of that.

Matt Kinnear

  (2:47 PM)

You'll definitely see more pro on TV. The NLL just inked a deal with Versus, and MLL has big TV plans.

Matt Kinnear

  (2:47 PM)

http://insidelacrosse.com/news/2010/12/10/mll-draft-set-january-league-eyes-expansion

Matt Kinnear

  (2:48 PM)

Check out that story. Every MLL game broadcast in high-def. A huge step for TV nerds like myself.

Mark (Virginia)

Has there been any more talk about a shot clock since last years finals? There was a lot of chatter about it at the time, any progress?

Terry Foy

  (2:49 PM)

The chatter that resulted after last year's finals was deserved, but not really rooted in reality and didn't seem to carry much momentum through the offseason.

Terry Foy

  (2:50 PM)

However, the rules have changed heading into 2011 independent of the NCAA title game, and could have a huge impact on the pace of play. A 30-second count from the time the defense takes possession until they touch it in the box removes a wave of counting, and now the "get it in/keep it in" call is much more up to a ref's discretion.

Terry Foy

  (2:50 PM)

Hopefully, if implemented properly, that'll prevent teams from taking their time to sub from the box off of a clear.

Mark (New Haven, CT)

What regular season game is most interesting to you? Other than UVa vs. Syracuse.

Geoff Shannon

  (2:50 PM)

Well, this weekend's Army-UMass game already has me geared up for the season, as it'll help start to shake out the Top 20 media poll. Really too many to count. Think the Duke-UNC game March 5 will be important. Also intrigued by Cornell-Virginia and Syracuse-Georgetown at the Konica Minolta Face-Off Classic.

Matt Kinnear

  (2:51 PM)

More on the Face-Off Classic: http://www.faceoffclassic.com/

Marisa (Boston)

NLL question: Is Toronto the best team?

Danielle Bernstein

  (2:52 PM)

On Toronto: I feel bad for anyone asked to decide who the best team in the NLL is at this point, which I suppose ILIndoor.com's Brian Shanahan is tasked with each week. Toronto currently sits at the top of the power rankings and (along with West Division leading Calgary) has the best record in the league, so in that sense, yes, you could say Toronto is the best team in the league.

Danielle Bernstein

  (2:52 PM)

But at this point it's really anyone's game. Boston stifled the Rock's scorers last week and won 9-7. Calgary has won two straight. Minnesota and Buffalo, at times, have looked like they can be contenders. So when you look at it that way, it's easy to say Toronto might not be the best team in the NLL.

Jumpin' (Atlanta)

Lots of lacrosse interest in Atlanta but no Division 1 teams. Is anyone coming down here to play a game like the Duke / Notre Dame game of last year?

Zach Babo

  (2:53 PM)

Well there are a few DIII programs in the area, so you will be able to see some lacrosse from them.

Matt Kinnear

  (2:53 PM)

As for a DI event in Atlanta, we haven't heard of anything specifically. But with events in Florida like the Sunshine Classic, MLL coming to Charlotte, High Point adding a team, it's only a matter of time until Atlanta's tapped into for something.

Mike (Chicago)

How will Jacksonville do in the new-look MAAC Lacrosse League?

Terry Foy

  (2:55 PM)

I talked to Coach Kerwick numerous times over the offseason, and Quint Kessenich had him on the upcoming ESPNU Lacrosse Podcast. It's tough to tell how this year will go for Dolphins.

Terry Foy

  (2:55 PM)

They lost top two scorers Ryan Serville and Nick Scalzo to transfer (though Sclazo may return), but they have a good base at midfield that'll only get better with Cam Mann, Donovan Lange and Jeremy Tissenbaum. Their schedule is set up nicely with Siena and Marist at home, and they're good enough to qualify for the MAAC Tournament. From there, as we've seen over the past several years, anything can happen, so it's not a longshot that JU could find themselves in an NCAA Tournament game in mid-May.

Logan, Utah [via mobile]

what are your predictions for the final 4 this year in the tournament?

Geoff Shannon

  (2:56 PM)

Beh, tough year, and I'm sure my mind will change week to week. Like Syracuse, Virginia, Maryland (great mix of senior class and serious coach) and, say, Notre Dame, at this point. As of Feb. 10. that's what I'm going with.

Ken (CA)

After a great inaugural season, what should we expect from the Gators and Ashley Bruns in their 2nd season?

Danielle Bernstein

  (2:57 PM)

What the Gators accomplished in its inaugural season is probably more than a lot of first-year programs could hope for and to be garnering the kind of preseason attention they are in their second year is great for the program.

Danielle Bernstein

  (2:58 PM)

Obviously they're still a young squad and there weren't a whole lot of standouts in Amanda O'Leary's second recruiting class (although she has some good ones coming in next year!) but with a year under their belt, I think they'll definitely continue to build on last year. In addition to playing in a tough ALC conference, they also have a difficult out-of-conference slate that includes Georgetown, North Carolina and Syracuse.

Zach Babo

  (2:58 PM)

For the Final Four prediction:

Zach Babo

  (2:58 PM)

Half of it is easy: Syracuse and Virginia

Zach Babo

  (2:58 PM)

Notre Dame has the defense for it, and Hofstra has the offense, so either of them could be good picks.

Zach Babo

  (2:59 PM)

As much of a cop out as it sounds, a lot depends on things like seeding this year. I think there will be a lot of teams that are hard to pick amongst, and whomever gets the easier path will make it to the last weekend.

Zach Babo

  (3:00 PM)

That being said, I'll throw out my dark horse - Army. When they were good last year, they were really good. A year older, great attack, a great goalie, a great coach, solid everywhere else, I like that.

Mike (Chicago)

Do you guys expect lacrosse to grow in the midwest and how will that happen? We had the machine in MLL and summarily dismissed them.

Danielle Bernstein

  (3:00 PM)

Lacrosse is already growing in the midwest! Marquette just added Division I men's and women's programs. The MLL is expanding to Columbus and more and more talent is coming out of midwest high schools into the college game.

Mike (Darien)

From an outsider, it seems like the MLL is struggling to stay afloat. How does expansion make any sense business-wise?

Matt Kinnear

  (3:04 PM)

Reply to that is coming, some technical difficulties with it

Terry Foy

  (3:04 PM)

With its close affiliation to New Balance, Warrior and Brine, its cost-structure has a lot of unique variables and while individual owners have some flexibility to invest and get a return on their investment, the league's interests are really centralized, whereas in the NFL and NBA, financial decisions are made more on a team-by-team basis. The league's biggest asset is its players. Providing players enough opportunities to continue to develop is in the best interest of the league. Two more teams mean 39 additional roster spots. At this point in the league's history, that's important.

Terry Foy

  (3:05 PM)

It isn't a standard professional league in the way it operates.

Terry Foy

  (3:05 PM)

You hear "contraction makes the league look weak." I don't agree with that at all. Contraction makes a league with a 75-year history look unstable. It makes a league with 10 years of history look realistic, willing to cut its losses and adjust. If the fear in expansion is that it'll result in contraction two or three years from now, the league will literally never grow. So it's trial-and-error, to some degree.

Terry Foy

  (3:05 PM)

The reason expansion makes sense is because the reward of either Columbus or Charlotte being a homerun outweighs the risk of either being a flop.

Zach Babo

  (3:06 PM)

In the immediate future, expansion gives the league an injection of cash from the new ownership groups. In the long term, Denver might be the leagues biggest success story in terms of fan base, ticket sales, and on field play. If you can strike gold like that again by bringing the team to a new area and having it be a hit, it bodes well for the league. Lets remember that while expansion might not have gone great, we have seen teams in Philly and NJ fold, and even the team in the Baltimore area has struggled to find a home and consistent fans, so there is no security in staying only in traditional hot beds.

Mike (Chicago)

Are these neutral-site games the wave of the future like the face-off classic?

Geoff Shannon

  (3:06 PM)

Yes, but in a slow, steady type of way. It appears the ideal schedule from now on will include at least one or two stadium events (great for recruiting purposes) and home games at, hopefully, packed 2,000-3,000 seat facilities, with room for 5,000+ with standing room crowds

Geoff Shannon

  (3:07 PM)

This is for the bulk of DI teams of course, the traditional powers do draw more.

Geoff Shannon

  (3:07 PM)

I also expect to see more games played south of Virginia in February, more Tuesday games and almost everyone expanding to at least a minute 15-game regular season schedule.

Kevin Crowley (Stony Brook)

What are my chances to win the Tewaaraton this season?

Zach Babo

  (3:07 PM)

Excellent. You are a throwback player who does enough gritty, unsung things for older voters to love you, and yet your game is electric enough to get a lot of attention from younger voters. You have opponents on the schedule you could light up for silly numbers, while still making big contributions in big games.

Zach Babo

  (3:08 PM)

I think generally, being a two way, multidimensional player goes a long way.

Matt Kinnear

  (3:08 PM)

That's all the time we've got folks. Thanks for participating. We'll be here the same time, same place next week.

Matt Kinnear

  (3:08 PM)

Hopefully we'll have some guests to help us out.

Matt Kinnear

  (3:10 PM)

Lots of good season stuff this weekend, so be sure to check out InsideLacrosse.com on Saturday and Sunday. We'll have plenty of live coverage from some big Week 1 matchups. Next week bring your questions for the upcoming rematch of the national championship game.Follow us on twitter @inside_lacrosse and find us on Facebook too.Take care.