The State of UMichigan Lacrosse

The University of Michigan men's lacrosse team has had a relatively slow transition, as the transitions always are, to the NCAA after winning multiple (3 in a row) championships at the MCLA level. In their first 4 years as an NCAA program UM has posted a combined 12-45 record (21% win), however have improved on a season to season basis. Here's exactly how they've fared (via lax.com).

In 2012 the team went 1-13 (7%) beater Mercer for the team's first ever NCAA win.
They also posed threats against Jacksonville and rival, Ohio State

In 2013 the Wolverines went 1-13 (7%) again
with their lone victory coming against St. Joseph's

In 2014 the Wolverines showed progression finishing 5-11 (31%)
after a 2-1 start

This past season UM went 5-8 (38%) starting out 3-1
and winning 4 of their first 7 with a big Big Ten victory over Rutgers

In the eyes of your average New England prep school athlete, the University of Michigan is the big brother of schools like those in the NESCAC having a big D1 university scene. Kids from hotbeds like Fairfield County, CT will eat up a school like Michigan. I believe that in 5 seasons Michigan lacrosse will be amongst the best in D1. It’s a top public university, they have funding, and they have strong athletics in general.

I think this is great for the sport that teams like Michigan and BU have transitioned from the MCLA level to D1 because it will eventually (in a matter of years) even out the recruiting level, and playing field - making the sport more competitive because it’s top universities like this who have the ability to poach recruits from your annual powerhouses (Virginia, JHU, UNC, etc.)

Get to Know the Other Johnny...Before He Blows Up

"Johnny Hockey" has lived up to his dazzling nickname made by popular
by his football counterpart, Johnny Manziel

No not Johnny Football, I'm talking about Johnny Hockey – Sir Johnny Gaudreau. The 21 year-old has taken the National Hockey League by storm this year scoring 64 pts (24g, 40a) in 80 games, appearing in the All-Star game (where he tallied 2 assists), and willing his Flames in an upset series win over the Canucks in 6 games in the first round of the playoffs. Gaudreau, originally from New Jersey, attended Boston College where he was a fan-favorite from the get go making incredible highlight-worthy plays which were all the more remarkable considering his size. He's listed at 5'9, 150 on the Flames website (many people don't even believe he's even that tall) so you can imagine his size as a freshman at BC. But size wasn't, and never has been, a problem for Johnny Hockey as he had a brilliant freshman campaign scoring 44 pts in 44 games, being named the Hockey East Tournament, and Beanpot, MVP, and most significantly, winning a National Championship. He was drafted in the 4th round, 101st overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2011 draft - falling back due to questions about whether his size would fare in the NHL. As a sophomore he scored 51 pts in just 35 games and was a Hobey Baker finalist. His junior year he scored 80 pts in 40 games and won the prestigious Hobey Baker award and after the season decided to join the Flames rather than returning for his senior campaign (what else can you accomplish?). He appeared in just 1 game for the Flames last year after joining them after his college season and, of course, scored a goal in that lone game, immediately proving that Johnny Hockey was soon to be a household NHL name. He is of American descent and one day I’m sure we’ll see him on the U.S. National Team in the Olympics to add to his already stacked résumé  This dude’s hockey résumé at his age is absurd and I think he’s about to take the league by storm, Gretzky style…After a marvelous season this year and a recent series win over Vancouver in which Johnny scored 6 pts in 6 games, the Flames (who are the equivalent of a #7 seed in the west) will face the Anaheim Ducks who look like the best team in the conference at the moment, and maybe the NHL. You better believe that the Flames and their fans are pumped up for this series and I expect an absolute showing from the man they call Johnny Hockey – this kid is the real deal ladies and gents. I'll even go as far as to say this: FLAMES IN 7 BABY! (I’M ON THE BANDWAGON)

Jahlil Okafor/Myles Jones: The New Image of Duke Athletics

Freshman big-man, Jahlil Okafor

Jahlil Okafor was my winner of the player of the year (not to take away anything from or discredit Frank "The Tank" Kaminsky). While him and Frank were probably the final two candidates for the award, their numbers were quite similar and Kaminsky may have gotten the edge being he is a senior. Okafor held a slight edge in steals, blocks, rebounds, and field goal percentage (although Okafor not a 3-pt shooter like Frank) per game while Kaminsky in points and assists per game.

But this post isn't necessarily about Duke Basketball specifically, but more Duke athletics as a whole. Growing up when I thought of Duke sports I'd think of JJ Redick, Christian Laettner, Matt Danowski,  Zack Greer. Of course the first two being basketball players and the latter two being lacrosse players as those sports are probably the two most successful programs at the university.

All 4 of those players were elite players who scored through discipline and fundamentals. All 4 had their "haters" on a national scale. And all 4 were white.

Junior star, Myles Jones

But today, it's two new players who are the face of Duke athletics: Jahlil Okafor on the basketball side. Myles Jones on the lacrosse side. Both likable guys, both physically dominant, both considered the big man on the field, both wear #15, both wear the left leg sleeve. Both national champions. Both african-americans.

Jahlil Okafor will most likely go pro this summer but take a moment to appreciate these two great athletes who are the current faces of Duke athletics. They're raw athletes who use their strength to straight up ball at their level. Now that's not a line were accustomed too with Duke sports.