Cornell 3 RPI 0 Postgame

Josh '99 · January 20, 2009, 08:55:33 AM

[quote Robb][quote hypotenuse]Because we don't score much, even though we've only lost the one game it is hard to give this team the credit that it is probably due. The tendency is to downplay both us and the opposition when we keep winning by 2-1 , but when you look at our opponents, they've all had big victories- with scoring--against "strong" teams. So I think we have to conclude that we've got a well coached, well prepared, damned good team. This team is not like the Harkness teams-- which won a lot of games by 12-1, but it plays a different system and plays it well. LGR![/quote]

Yes, but...

I'm going on record today predicting that Cornell gets a #1 seed and loses its regional championship game.

To date, we've played precisely one team in the top 10 of PWR, RPI, KRACH, KPWR, KASA, Heal, and RHEAL - Princeton. If you reach all the way over to CHODR then you can add SCSU at #6 and NoDak at #10 (but then Princeton doesn't count at #17), and in CCHP we haven't played any top 10 teams. IMHO, there's a BIG difference between being better than average with the discipline to show up every game versus being a truly great team.

Cornell should get to play a fairly average team in its first NCAA game (yea, autobids!), so we can play our normal game and win that one. The NCAA regional final will be the first time we really face a top team all season. Are we good enough to contain Blue Chip forwards? Do we have enough scoring punch to beat a really fast defense? Those are unanswered questions, and given our schedule, they will continue to be unanswered until our regional final. Obviously, I hope that I'm wrong and that we ARE that good - but I just can't quite bring myself to believe it yet.[/quote]If one were to put the effort into it, this discussion could probably be extrapolated to argue in favor of the NCAA lacrosse selection criteria (*shudder*).

Robb · January 20, 2009, 09:29:12 AM

[quote Josh '99][quote Robb][quote hypotenuse]Because we don't score much, even though we've only lost the one game it is hard to give this team the credit that it is probably due. The tendency is to downplay both us and the opposition when we keep winning by 2-1 , but when you look at our opponents, they've all had big victories- with scoring--against "strong" teams. So I think we have to conclude that we've got a well coached, well prepared, damned good team. This team is not like the Harkness teams-- which won a lot of games by 12-1, but it plays a different system and plays it well. LGR![/quote]

Yes, but...

I'm going on record today predicting that Cornell gets a #1 seed and loses its regional championship game.

To date, we've played precisely one team in the top 10 of PWR, RPI, KRACH, KPWR, KASA, Heal, and RHEAL - Princeton. If you reach all the way over to CHODR then you can add SCSU at #6 and NoDak at #10 (but then Princeton doesn't count at #17), and in CCHP we haven't played any top 10 teams. IMHO, there's a BIG difference between being better than average with the discipline to show up every game versus being a truly great team.

Cornell should get to play a fairly average team in its first NCAA game (yea, autobids!), so we can play our normal game and win that one. The NCAA regional final will be the first time we really face a top team all season. Are we good enough to contain Blue Chip forwards? Do we have enough scoring punch to beat a really fast defense? Those are unanswered questions, and given our schedule, they will continue to be unanswered until our regional final. Obviously, I hope that I'm wrong and that we ARE that good - but I just can't quite bring myself to believe it yet.[/quote]If one were to put the effort into it, this discussion could probably be extrapolated to argue in favor of the NCAA lacrosse selection criteria (*shudder*).[/quote]
Now, now - let's don't be ridiculous!

I'm not saying that the selection (or seeding) criteria should be changed, or that SoS is the end-all, be-all. I'm talking about actual game experience. Somehow, I just don't think that playing Princeton a couple of times (or even 10 times) is going to prepare the guys adequately to play the likes of Denver or Michigan; one of those would be our 2nd round opponent based on the latest Bracketology Blog at USCHO.

dragonfan · January 20, 2009, 12:55:34 PM

I have seen Denver and Michigan play numerice times this year and I think we could beat them.Michigan had alot of trouble with St Lawrence and Niagera at HOME.If we play are style we could beat anybody in the nation,if we don't we could lose to anybody in the nation.

Robb · January 20, 2009, 01:13:12 PM

[quote dragonfan]Michigan had alot of trouble with St Lawrence and Niagera at HOME.[/quote]
So. Did. We.

dragonfan · January 20, 2009, 01:35:05 PM

In the three games we have played agianst Niagera and St Lawrence we have allowed 1 goal and scored 6.They were tough games,but we played are style and beat them.Michigan in three games gave up 9 goals and scored 14,I am a big fan of Def wins games.

Beeeej · January 20, 2009, 01:50:52 PM

[quote dragonfan]In the three games we have played agianst Niagera and St Lawrence we have allowed 1 goal and scored 6.They were tough games,but we played are style and beat them.Michigan in three games gave up 9 goals and scored 14,I am a big fan of Def wins games.[/quote]

Y'know, I pick on the Sun for grammatical errors and editorial lapses because it's a formal publication, one which should be held to a higher standard. It's been years since I habitually picked on individual posters for mistakes in their posts, mostly because I've grown to believe that it's just bad form, and doesn't do anybody any good - at least unless I can make constructive humor out of it. But I'm going to make an exception here.

Oh my GOD, would you PLEASE learn the difference between "our" and "are" before you graduate from middle school?!

That is all.

dragonfan · January 20, 2009, 02:02:51 PM

I did not realize I have to make it perfect for the ELF!!!! sorry Beeeeeej

KeithK · January 20, 2009, 02:10:45 PM

[quote dragonfan]I did not realize I have to make it perfect for the ELF!!!! sorry Beeeeeej[/quote]
I don't think he's been reading this forum very long.... :-D

Josh '99 · January 20, 2009, 03:32:58 PM

[quote Robb][quote dragonfan]Michigan had alot of trouble with St Lawrence and Niagera at HOME.[/quote]
So. Did. We.[/quote]I think the point remains, though, that "big schools" like Michigan really aren't wholly different than us simply by virtue of being "big schools" and that we shouldn't be intimidated by them because of that fact.

redice · January 20, 2009, 04:21:25 PM

[quote Beeeej] It's been years since I habitually picked on individual posters for mistakes in their posts, mostly because I've grown to believe that it's just bad form......[/quote]

Methinks someone's memory is failing: Couldn't resist Beeeej!! ::whistle::

Alumni in the Pros - September 2008
Posted by: Beeeej (Moderator)
Date: September 08, 2008 01:54PM

Sorry... I just got really tired of seeing "Alumnis" and "Auguust" at the top of the forum. It's been September for over a week now.

___________________________
Beeeej, Esq.
Tundra British Columbia Headhunters Circus
Tucson or Bust!

"Cornell isn't an organization. It's a loose affiliation of independent fiefdoms united by a common hockey team."
- Steve Worona

Beeeej · January 20, 2009, 04:24:18 PM

[quote redice][quote Beeeej] It's been years since I habitually picked on individual posters for mistakes in their posts, mostly because I've grown to believe that it's just bad form......[/quote]

Methinks someone's memory is failing: Couldn't resist Beeeej!! ::whistle:: [/quote]

Well, really, who can resist me? ;-)

Robb · January 20, 2009, 04:37:08 PM

[quote Josh '99][quote Robb][quote dragonfan]Michigan had alot of trouble with St Lawrence and Niagera at HOME.[/quote]
So. Did. We.[/quote]I think the point remains, though, that "big schools" like Michigan really aren't wholly different than us simply by virtue of being "big schools" and that we shouldn't be intimidated by them because of that fact.[/quote]
That's not what I meant to imply. By my reckoning, Michigan will play 11 regular season games against teams currently in the top 15 (ND, Miami, OSU, and BU). We'll have played 2 - both against Princeton.

I'm just glad someone's glass is half full to help balance out mind. Besides, someone's got to give KeithK a run for biggest curmudgeon on the board... ::panic::

ugarte · January 20, 2009, 04:57:45 PM

[quote Robb]I'm just glad someone's glass is half full to help balance out mind. [/quote]
I can't decide if you meant to type "mine" or if you were suggesting that his half-full glass matches his half-full mind.

TimV · January 20, 2009, 05:09:20 PM

I thought maybe you were using dictation software. Would've been a plausible excuse...:-P

Robb · January 20, 2009, 05:10:18 PM

[quote ugarte][quote Robb]I'm just glad someone's glass is half full to help balance out mind. [/quote]
I can't decide if you meant to type "mine" or if you were suggesting that his half-full glass matches his half-full mind.[/quote]
Ugh. Must remember not to post while coding... The debugger does not help me here!

"mine."