2013年2月6日水曜日

MLL Draft 2013

これまた忙しさにかまけて書いてなかったが、1月の上旬に行われたMLLドラフトの結果。

2011年のシーズンからMLLはドラフトをこれまでのNCAAシーズン終了後の6月ではなく、開幕前の1月に行う事になった。

これにより4年生はシーズン開幕前にMLLに行けるのか否か、どのチームに行けるのかが解ることになり、卒業後の進路決定に向けてしっかり準備が出来ることになり、またMLL各チームもMLLのシーズン開幕のかなり前から戦力をある程度確定した状態でチーム作りに臨めるようになっている。

さて、今回の結果はどうだったか。8チーム×8ラウンドで64名が指名された。が、実際にMLLでプレーする、チームにインパクトを与えて来るのはせいぜい上位4ラウンド程度までだと思われるので、4ランドに絞ってざっと眺めてみる。

(ちなみに今年からLong Island LizardsがNew Yorkに移転。まあ、隣なので大きな変化ではないが。)



DRAFT ORDER

Round 1
1. Ohio: Peter Baum, A, Colgate
去年のMVPのBaumがやはり全体一位。これで同じく去年の一位指名、Virginia 12のStanwiikとコンビを組む事に。楽しみ。
2. Hamilton: Chris LaPierre, M, Virginia
非常にMake senseな指名。走れるビースト系MFが不足してるHamiltonにとってベストフィット。
3. Charlotte: Tucker Durkin, D, Johns Hopkins
これも非常に理に適ってる。2年目のCharlotteはDFを補強。
4. Chesapeake (from Charlotte from Rochester): Jesse Bernhardt, LSM, M
強力DFと機動力激高のLSM。
5. Hamilton (from New York): Josh Hawkins, M, Loyola
大出世!ドレッドDFMFでバイソンのような走れてパワーあるHawkinsが一巡目で指名。これまたHamiltonによるMF補強。
6. Boston: Cam Flint, M, Denver
地元。
7. Denver: Brian Megill, D, Syracuse
8. Charlotte (from Chesapeake): Mike Sawyer, A, Loyola

Round 2
9. Boston (from Ohio): Scott Ratliff, D, Loyola
彼も強力LSM。オフェンス力も高い。MLLで活躍しそう。
10. Hamilton: Jason Noble, D, Cornell
Devitte's Analysis: He might be the smallest pole in the MLL, but he's Canadian and mean.
11. Ohio (from Rochester from Charlotte): Logan Schuss, A, Ohio State
Devitte's Analysis: Really scary addition to their team, especially with Peter Baum and Steele Stanwick. Schuss can run midfield too, and he has a local connection in Ohio being a Buckeye.
12. Ohio (from Rochester): Marcus Holman, A, North Carolina
NCAAレベルでは非常に巧くて見てて参考になる、コーチの息子らしくクレバーな選手。MLLでどこまで通用するかね?
13. Ohio (from Rochester from New York): Chase Carraro, M/FO, Denver
Devitte's Analysis: He needs to learn the MLL game fast and Garber needs to ease him in. If he doesn't do that, his development could be stunted and hurt his overall impact.
14. Boston: Will Manny, A, UMass
Devitte's Analysis: He's a great fit as a third attackman. Boston is one of the few teams that will give him a legit shot as a third guy on attack.
15. Hamilton (from Chesapeake from Ohio from Denver): John Haus, M, Maryland
Devitte's Analysis: He's a reach for their needs at this point in the draft. They're pouring quick-dry cement down a really deep midfield hole.
16. Chesapeake: Kevin Cooper, M, Maryland
Devitte's Analysis: Cottle loves his Maryland guys; takes care of his Terps.
Round 3
17. Rochester (from Ohio): John Ranagan, M, Johns Hopkins
Devitte's Analysis: He's a big, prototypical MLL midfielder body. He'll have to improve his shooting and timing in order to be a first-line guy. Right now he's a second-liner.
18. Hamilton: Casey Carroll, D, Duke
Devitte's Analysis: At this juncture in his career, he's unproven. Feast or famine.
19. Denver (from Charlotte): Davis Butts, M, Loyola
Devitte's Analysis: A very capable groundball guy. I think they'll use him on the wing to start and make him work his way into the team, like they did with Briggs and Snider.
20. Rochester (from Ohio from Chesapeake from Rochester): Ryan Clarke, M, Salisbury
Devitte's Analysis: Feels like a pick they made just to be different. Salisbury guys have a history at translating well to the next level.
21. Hamilton (from Charlotte from New York): Garrett Thul, A, Army
Devitte's Analysis: He's a battering ram. #America.
22. Boston: Lee Coppersmith, M, Johns Hopkins
Devitte's Analysis: They're trying to find their JJ Morrissey "glue" guy. Don't be surprised if they keep drafting middies.
23. Denver: Landon Carr, M, Maryland
Devitte's Analysis: Too many midfielders being drafted because of their position, not skill.
24. Charlotte (from Chesapeake): Owen Blye, A, Maryland
Devitte's Analysis: Teams going for guys with championship experience. He's been to the championship game twice. They'll see who can fit with Danowski.
Round 4
25. Rochester (from Ohio): John Kemp, G, Notre Dame
Devitte's Analysis: The only goalie in this class who could make an impact. 
TRADE ALERT: Big trade moves Mark Matthews from Denver to New York for Will Mangan and the 29th pick.
Devitte's Analysis: It's a trade that opens up spots at Denver for the rest of the Canadians to compete for starting time. It shows the Outlaws value hard work a lot more than other teams. Also, one less NLL guy who won't be able to dress the first few games.
26. Hamilton: Reid Acton, D, Loyola
27. Charlotte: Mason Poli, LSM, Bryant
28. Charlotte (from Rochester): Matt White, A, Virginia
29. Denver (from New York in Matthews trade): Eric Law, A, Denver
30. Boston: Jake Smith, D, UMass
31. Denver: Roger Ferguson, D, Brown
32. Chesapeake: Dom Sebastiani, M, Delaware

2013年2月4日月曜日

Syracuseの3年AT Nicky Galassoが怪我で今シーズン欠場

先日の記事で書いた、2010年の全米No. 1の選手としてNorth Carolinaに入学した後、Syracuseに転校したATのNicky Galasso。1年目にルーキーとしてチームの大黒柱としての活躍をしながらも、靭帯の怪我で2年生のシーズンを棒に振り、3年生になるタイミングで新しい環境と出場機会を求めてSyracuseへ。

開幕前のこのタイミングで、新たな足の怪我により手術が必要になり、今シーズンは絶望とのこと。(ILの記事)

残念でならない。彼程の才能にめぐまれながら、2年連続での大きな怪我。今回は前回の足とは逆の足、そして骨折との事。足首、または足の甲という事だろうか?復活を懸けて万全の準備をしてきた今シーズン。心が折れそうなほど辛い出来事と想像する。

ファンを総立ちにさせる事の出来る、そして周りにいるチームのメンバーの力を数段高める事が出来る、アメリカのラクロス界にとっての宝とも言える人材の一人。何とか復活して本来の姿をフィールドで見せて欲しい。心から応援したい。

さて、Syracuseもこれでチームとして一気に厳しい状況に立たされる事に。一昨年の強力な4年生がMLLへと旅立ち、去年から一気に低空飛行。心配されていたオフェンスにGalassoが加入した事で梃入れか?と思われていたが、その目算が完全に狂うことになる。

2013年2月2日土曜日

NCAA 2013 TV Schedule

忙しさにかまけてちょっと時間が経ってしまったが、そういや記事にし忘れてたのでクイックにアップ。

ILに発表されたESPNでの今年のNCAAの試合放映スケジュール。気付けばもうシーズン開幕がすぐそこに。

Technically開幕は2月上旬だが、実際に面白いカードでの試合が始まるのは3月に入ってからという感じだろうか。個人的に注目したいカードは赤字。

引き続き、ESPNのラクロスを主に撮影しているクルーがBaltimoreにいるせいか、Johns HopkinsやUMBCの試合数が多い。

今年も圧倒的にACC、特にDuke, North Carolina, Marylandの3チームが楽しみ。特に古豪であるSyracuse, Johns Hopkinsがパッとしないので尚の事。


FULL SCHEDULE

Sun, Jan 27
1:30 p.m.*: US Men’s National Team at No. 1 Loyola (Md.), ESPN3
Fri, Feb 8
5 p.m.: Siena at No. 6 Johns Hopkins, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Sat, Feb 23
1 p.m.^: Michigan at No. 6 Johns Hopkins, ESPN3
Fri, Mar 1
5 p.m.: No. 13 Princeton at No. 6 Johns Hopkins, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Sat, Mar 2
11 a.m.: No. 2 Maryland at No. 4 Duke, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Tue, Mar 5
5 p.m.: Mount St. Mary’s at No. 6 Johns Hopkins, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Wed, Mar 6
5 p.m.: UMBC at No. 2 Maryland, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Fri, Mar 8
5 p.m.: UMBC at No. 6 Johns Hopkins, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Sat, Mar 9
Noon: Whitman's Sampler Independence Classic (Chester, Pa.) - St. John’s at No. 14 Syracuse, ESPN3(Ticket and other info)
2:30 p.m.: Whitman's Sampler Independence Classic (Chester, Pa.) - Penn vs. Villanova, ESPN3 (Ticket and other info)
5 p.m.: Whitman's Sampler Independence Classic (Chester, Pa.) - Penn State vs. No. 8 Lehigh, ESPN3(Ticket and other info)
Sun, Mar 10
TBD: Stony Brook at No. 2 Maryland, ESPN3
Wed, Mar 13
7:30 p.m.: No. 4 Duke at No. 5 North Carolina, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Sat, Mar 16
1 p.m.: No. 6 Johns Hopkins at No. 14 Syracuse, ESPNU / WatchESPN
4 p.m.: Whitman’s Sampler Mile High Lacrosse Classic (Denver, Colo.) - No. 1 Loyola (Md.) vs. Air Force, ESPN3 (Ticket and other info)
6:30 p.m.$: Whitman’s Sampler Mile High Lacrosse Classic (Denver, Colo.): No. 3 Notre Dame vs. No. 10 Denver, ESPN3 (Ticket and other info)
Sun, Mar 17
TBD: Metropolitan Lacrosse Classic (Flushing, N.Y.) - Michigan vs. No. 11 Colgate, ESPNU / WatchESPN
TBD: Metropolitan Lacrosse Classic (Flushing, N.Y.) - Holy Cross vs. Navy, ESPN3
Wed, Mar 20
6 p.m.: No. 12 UMass at No. 8 Lehigh, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Fri, Mar 22
5 p.m.: No. 20 Yale at No. 13 Princeton, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Sat, Mar 23
Noon: No. 5 North Carolina at No. 2 Maryland, ESPN3
2 p.m.: Konica Minolta Face-Off Classic (Baltimore, Md.) - No. 11 Colgate vs. Navy, ESPNU / WatchESPN (Ticket and other info)
4:30 p.m.: Konica Minolta Face-Off Classic (Baltimore, Md.) - No. 9 Virginia vs. No. 6 Johns Hopkins, ESPNU / WatchESPN (Ticket and other info)
Wed, Mar 27
6 p.m.: Brown at No. 5 North Carolina, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Sat, Mar 30
Noon: No. 6 Johns Hopkins at No. 5 North Carolina, ESPNU / WatchESPN
2 p.m.: No. 5 Maryland at No. 9 Virginia, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Wed, Apr 3
5 p.m.: Villanova at Georgetown, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Fri, Apr 5
7 p.m.: Albany at No. 6 Johns Hopkins, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Sat, Apr 6
5 p.m.: No. 14 Syracuse at No. 13 Princeton, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Wed, Apr 10
6 p.m.: No. 7 Cornell at No. 14 Syracuse, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Fri, Apr 12
6 p.m.: No. 9 Virginia at No. 4 Duke, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Sat, Apr 13
3 p.m.: No. 6 Johns Hopkins at No. 2 Maryland, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Sun, Apr 14
11 a.m.: Georgetown at No. 3 Notre Dame, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Fri, Apr 19
6 p.m.: Harvard at No. 13 Princeton, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Sat, Apr 20
2 p.m.: Villanova at No. 3 Notre Dame, ESPNU / WatchESPN
4 p.m.: Navy at No. 6 Johns Hopkins, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Fri, Apr 26
5 p.m.: ACC Championship (Chapel Hill, N.C.) Semifinal No. 1, ESPNU / WatchESPN
7:30 p.m.: ACC Championship (Chapel Hill, N.C.) Semifinal No. 2, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Sat, Apr 27
2 p.m.: No. 1 Loyola (Md.) at No. 6 Johns Hopkins, ESPNU / WatchESPN
4 p.m.: Konica Minolta Big City Classic (East Rutherford, N.J.) - No. 13 Princeton vs. No. 7 Cornell, ESPNU / WatchESPN
6:30 p.m.: Konica Minolta Big City Classic (East Rutherford, N.J.) - No. 3 Notre Dame vs. No. 14 Syracuse, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Sun, Apr 28
1 p.m.: ACC Championship Final (Chapel Hill, N.C.), ESPNU / WatchESPN
Thu, May 2
4:30 p.m.: BIG EAST Championship (Villanova, Pa.) Semifinal No. 1, ESPNU / WatchESPN
7 p.m.#: BIG EAST Championship (Villanova, Pa.): Semifinal No. 2, ESPN3
Fri, May 3
4 p.m.: America East Championship (Stony Brook, N.Y.) Final, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Sat, May 4
Noon: BIG EAST Championship (Villanova, Pa.) Final, ESPNU / WatchESPN
Sun, May 5
11 a.m.: Ivy League Tournament (Site of team with best Ivy League record), ESPNU / WatchESPN
* - exhibition game; tape delayed on Sunday, Jan. 27 at 10 p.m. on ESPNU / WatchESPN
^ - tape delayed on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 11:30 a.m. on ESPNU / WatchESPN
$ - tape delayed on Monday, March 18 at 12:30 a.m. on ESPNU / WatchESPN
# - tape delayed on Thursday, May 2 at 10:30 p.m. on ESPNU / WatchESPN