Friday Recap: The Devils and the Details

by Jac Coyne | MCLA.us

LA CROSSE, Wis. – OK, so now it’s getting kind of ridiculous.

For the sixth time in nine games, including the last five contests, Arizona State lost by a goal last night. This time it was to No. 5 Colorado in Boulder, 13-12, in overtime.

The craziness started at UC Santa Barbara on Feb. 23 when the Gauchos downed the Sun Devils in four overtimes, 8-7. Boston College edged ASU, 12-11, a week later.

Todd MacRobbie’s outfit went to four overtimes again the following day. This time it was Georgia delivering the heartbreak.

TODAY'S GAMES | FRIDAY'S RESULTS

The agony wasn’t confined to the West Coast. Arizona State’s eastern swing was met with another overtime loss to Virginia Tech in the snow, 11-10, followed by a one-goal setback to Liberty, 12-11.

The whole thing is insane.

You’d figure the odds would give the Sun Devils a random bounce or some kind of break that would put them on the positive side of one of these results.

Maybe a pipe instead of an overtime goal. Something.

Alas, none have come to this point.

A picture is with a thousand words. Which may not be enough to describe the emotions here. @ASULacrosse suffers it’s 6th one goal loss of the season and third in overtime. This time at the hands of @CUMensLacrosse Final score 13-12 pic.twitter.com/gbDWJKkJqb
— Lacrosse Talk (@laxtalkradio) March 17, 2018

Now ASU gets to wear the “Best 3-6 Team in the Country” title with five games left in the regular season.

I don’t think there are many people who doubt that the Sun Devils have tournament talent and would fare quite well at nationals. I certainly think so.

But there are only so many quality losses you can rack up before the committee needs to see some production (to be fair, ASU does have three solid wins over Cal, Oregon and Cal Poly).

A key win or two by ASU might be especially important this season with teams all over the country posting strong at-large resumes that include big-time victories.

What does this mean for the Sun Devils at this point? I can’t read the selection committee’s collective mind, but one would have to assume that Sunday’s game against Colorado State is a must win.

I’d guess that Arizona State is approaching the contest as such, regardless.

And if this season is any guide, it will be a close game. Real close.

* * *

Wild night in NCAA Basketball. For those wondering, there has never been a DI @MCLA 1/16 or 1/15 upset in the tournament.

The biggest upset was #14 @HokieLax over #3 @BYULacrosse in 2014.
— Virtually Varsity (@vvlacrosse) March 17, 2018

No. 4 Michigan State reasserted its dominance over the CCLA on Friday night, grinding up No. 14 Davenport in typical Spartan fashion, 12-5.

Bennett Osterink and Blake Turner each pocketed a hat trick along with an assist while Kevin Boland parried 10 of the 15 shots that came his way.

That State could hold a potent Panther offense that dropped 19 on BYU to five is a testament to the level the Michigan State defense is playing at.

No. 3 Chapman beating San Diego State isn’t a surprise. The Panthers shutting out the Aztecs, 16-0 is rather frightening. SDSU lost 10-7 to Grand Canyon last week.

It's Minnesota vs @OUMensLax this afternoon! #Gameday #MINNvsOU #MNEDGE - 1:00pm - Stankowski Field
A post shared by Minnesota Men's Lacrosse (@umn_lacrosse) on Mar 17, 2018 at 7:31am PDT

No. 19 Wake Forest coasted past UNC Charlotte, 16-9, to up its mark to 6-0. Coastal Carolina awaits on Sunday.

No. 14 Northern Arizona got back on the good foot by dumping No. 23 MSU Denver, 11-5. No. 21 Providence is up today for the Lumberjacks.

DIVISION I NOTES: Western Michigan stayed perfect (6-0) with a comfy win over Oakland, 18-12. The Broncos face their biggest test today when they face Pitt…Cal sits atop the WCLL standings after taking down Santa Clara, 13-9...can UNH sweep up California today at No. 9 Concordia-Irvine? Big game.

DIVISION II NOTES: No. 18 San Diego downed Long Beach, 13-6. Doesn’t seem like a big deal, but that win likely keeps the Toreros in the No. 2 seed with a first round home game…No. 3 St. Thomas and No. 4 St. John’s take on ranked western foes today.

As always, coaches should send their nominations for Commanding Performance of the Week powered by Under Armour to info@mcla.us.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!