With the graduates of 2013 making their way into future endevours, its about time we look at who will be the next best on the field. Starting out with defensemen is an easy answer. Why? As I told you before, a coach told me that if you cannot protect the back end, you won’t be able to play out the front door. Defense will be the staple of the next few championships if you ask me because the dynamic of timer on scenarios and the new rules will focus on defensive consistency and offense quickness. Here are my thoughts on a few of 2014s Upper Classmen.
Henry Lobb – Duke – If there is anything that you learn about Duke defensive players, they are all over the field. A match-up nightmare for whomever he covers. Lobb can play out on an island and play within a system. The exciting part about watching the game that Duke plays is how quickly the ball is up field and going toward the opponent’s goal. Lobb does a lot to determine that offensive outlook because people take bad shots and get into trouble regularly against him.
Jack Reilly –Johns Hopkins– Reilly is an animal of an athlete. The professional game could be where he becomes a standout more as it is athlete versus athlete. The will initially probably become a long pole middie because he can raise up and down the field. It’s a position he is comfortable with I am sure as he started there at Homewood. He has waited in the wings behind Lichtner and Durkin the past two years, but I think this may be his time.
Joe Fletcher –Loyola- The highest returning defenseman in the collegiate game, he should be ready for even more his senior season. Loyola plays the way it does because the defense is a good crop and Fletcher leads the pack. Having to replace pieces around him will do one of two things: 1) enable Fletcher to become one of the elites in the game in 2014 or 2) make me look silly as I picked him to be better than he was as a First Team All American. Bring on 2014.
Goran Murray – Maryland- One of the younger players on the list, but his athleticism sets him apart. Here is why I think he should make the list: he is an important piece to a feared defense year in and year out. As a pro, he might be better up top as well to make full use of his abilities. We can go back to Pannell in the first round of the NCAA tournament and see why playing down low could be trouble. Murray needs the space to be the best athlete he can be on the field.
Matt Harris – Syracuse – Watching his game is a lot of fun. Harris is athletic, likely versatile enough for play up top or down low. I would like to think of him like Danny Cocchi from Towson. His way into professional lacrosse could be similar as well, by playing lsm, ssdm, or down low at close defense. He can push transition with the best of them as well. His numbers are there to validate this statistically. The Syracuse Defense as had success in the professional ranks for years and Harris will likely pass that torch along.
Scott McWilliams – Virginia – Believe it or not, not a huge fan of McWilliams, but the All America Committee does know a thing or two. When you play a team like UVA, you better be ready to run and get hit all over the field. McWilliams will be the tough guy in the middle that is typically the reason offensive players won’t go inside. I can remember seeing him level a few opponents over the last year or so. Again, he is athletic enough to play just about anyone in the league. If he can harass some of that raw energy into more of a field sense, I believe he could have a future in the league. He does have two years to perfect the player he wants to be.
Kieran McDonald – UNC – You need someone who is going to be on one of those final four teams next year that helped get them there. Murphy is that guy. Carolina’s defense had moments of good and bad, so consistency will be a major need for McDonald and crew. He is athletic, obviously by being in the talent rich ACC. Started each game last season for the Heels, so he has logged a lot of quality minutes. He wont venture off the backline like a lot of the guys on this list, which makes him a sure fire third or fourth defenseman spot in the league.
