02-23-2019, 12:28 PM
Every since the Eastward expansion I've been following the trajectory of the B1G lacrosse league and I have to say that overall I've been impressed. The level of commitment I've seen from facilities improvement to competing for the best recruits has been commendable.
I think the mix of the league is probably what has made it successful so quickly. You start with the blue bloods Johns Hopkins and Maryland add 3 of the richest athletic departments in the country with Ohio State, Michigan, & Penn State and throw in an athletic department that has fiscal problems but is in a region with tons of lacrosse talent available in Rutgers. The six programs together give you a nice blend of top heavy always in the hunt for National Titles and hungry programs with the ability to throw money into facilities, recruiting, and hiring/retaining top notch coaches.
All of that being said I want to give the ACC their propers. Every last program in that conference can jump up and win a national title any given year. While we've seen competitiveness on a national level from Penn State, Ohio State and Rutgers, we haven't seen sustained competitiveness over many years so at this point I still feel like year in and year out Maryland and Hopkins will be the schools I expect to compete for National Titles. This is borne out in the conference if you ask yourself which teams have won the regular season and conference championship since the league started.
Another issue I have not heard much of that could have a serious impact is the status of Johns Hopkins. I'm sure you all remember that when they joined the league they signed up for 5 years. I believe next year (2019-2020) is the last season of the 5. I think that the league has been good for them but again I haven't heard anything positive or negative regarding their desire to re-up. The lacrosse world is changing but I wonder if the pull from rivals they don't get to play as often is enough for them to pull out of the league they helped create.
What do you all think? How long will it take for the B1G to catch up in terms of depth to the ACC in Lacrosse?
I think the mix of the league is probably what has made it successful so quickly. You start with the blue bloods Johns Hopkins and Maryland add 3 of the richest athletic departments in the country with Ohio State, Michigan, & Penn State and throw in an athletic department that has fiscal problems but is in a region with tons of lacrosse talent available in Rutgers. The six programs together give you a nice blend of top heavy always in the hunt for National Titles and hungry programs with the ability to throw money into facilities, recruiting, and hiring/retaining top notch coaches.
All of that being said I want to give the ACC their propers. Every last program in that conference can jump up and win a national title any given year. While we've seen competitiveness on a national level from Penn State, Ohio State and Rutgers, we haven't seen sustained competitiveness over many years so at this point I still feel like year in and year out Maryland and Hopkins will be the schools I expect to compete for National Titles. This is borne out in the conference if you ask yourself which teams have won the regular season and conference championship since the league started.
Another issue I have not heard much of that could have a serious impact is the status of Johns Hopkins. I'm sure you all remember that when they joined the league they signed up for 5 years. I believe next year (2019-2020) is the last season of the 5. I think that the league has been good for them but again I haven't heard anything positive or negative regarding their desire to re-up. The lacrosse world is changing but I wonder if the pull from rivals they don't get to play as often is enough for them to pull out of the league they helped create.
What do you all think? How long will it take for the B1G to catch up in terms of depth to the ACC in Lacrosse?