The Reverb: Dog Days

by Jac Coyne | MCLA.us

LA CROSSE, Wis. – It’s not every day a team gets to single-handedly change every perception about an entire division.

Alas, that’s what Minn.-Duluth did on Saturday evening in Chaska, Minn.

The Bulldogs (2-2) pounced on No. 1 St. Thomas (1-1) in the first 30 minutes, building a 9-3 halftime lead and then coasting home in the final two quarters for a 10-9 upset.

While the Tommies weren’t the reigning champs as usual, they were reflexively placed in that de facto role with Concordia-Irvine jumping to Division I.

In less than 24 hours, Minn.-Duluth beats D-II No. 1 St. Thomas and D-I No. 22 Minnesota. Not too shabby... #mcla18 #RaceforSaltLake https://t.co/bO9FbrhlFC
— MCLA (@MCLA) February 25, 2018

Despite being exposed a little bit by the Eagles last May in the finals, St. Thomas was back to its usual roll as perpetual favorites.

On a snowy evening in the Twin City ‘burbs, Duluth smashed any notion that the Tommies were invincible, tossing the entire division up for grabs as well.

I didn’t think St. Thomas would run the new and improved UMLC undefeated. But I didn’t think it would be Duluth to do the deed, especially after how they looked against North Dakota State. It just didn’t feel like a competitive game.

Now the Bulldogs are the toast of Division II and as big a contender for the national title as any other team in the UMLC, along with a couple of other top D-II outfits. That’s a heck of a turnaround in a week’s span.

Lacrosse is fickle, as you well know. Today’s toast of the sport can be humbled very quickly.

Just ask St. Thomas.

For another week anyway, these will remain the (Bull)Dog Days in Division II.

CHECK OUT THE RECAPS FROM FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

Eags fall in a close one, 8-9 to #2 Chapman. We are looking forward to our 4 day road trip next weekend to ‘Zona! Thanks to the best fans that always show out across the country! #RollEags #BeatASU
A post shared by BC Men's Lacrosse (@bc_menslacrosse) on Feb 25, 2018 at 4:12pm PST

BC Bump?
One of the unique – and often humorously derided – aspects of the MCLA polls is the fabled “quality loss” (also known as a “good loss” in some circles).

It’s been around since the association introduced a poll and has been pontificated about online for a good decade.

It boils down to an underdog team playing a favorite closer than the polls or conventional wisdom would dictate. A classic example is No. 24 Boston College’s 9-8 loss to No. 2 Chapman on Sunday. The Eagles are undoubtedly going to get credit for that loss in the polls, but how much?

BC is a little tricky this week because the Eagles already pocketed a win over No. 6 Georgia Tech. That was probably worth an eight-slot jump in this week’s poll.

But now we have to figure out how to calculate the Chapman near miss. When the dust clears, I'm banking on the Eagles being in the 14-16 range. We’ll see.

While we’re on the subject, Cal Poly will also be a test case for the "quality loss" metric. The Mustangs have a one-goal setback to No. 1 Grand Canyon, and single-digit losses to No. 3 Utah and No. 5 Arizona.

Gamecocks win 10- 8 over #17 ranked Liberty!!
A post shared by Gamecocklax (@gamecocklax) on Feb 25, 2018 at 1:11pm PST

Throw in a win over the current No. 14 (UCSB, who will probably move up this week) and it's a pretty solid resume despite a 2-3 mark..

Personally, I think Cal Poly is still finding its legs and will be a miserable matchup for some unlucky team in the tourney should they make it. At this point, they would still have to be considered the faves in the WCLL.

How that will be reflected in the polls will be determined on Wednesday.

My Top Fives
It’s Week Two of my top five selections and the picks didn’t get a whole lot easier. There are just so many factors you have to weigh while still attempting to keep it as linear as possible.

Division I
1. Grand Canyon (2-0) – The champs take care of business, reclaim top spot
2. Utah (3-0) – An idle week allows the Utes to get jumped.
3. South Carolina (7-0) – Not much standing between the 'Cocks and perfection.
4. Michigan State (4-0) – The Spartans pounded BC. People forget that.
5. Brigham Young (3-0) – Cougars are here by default at this point.

Division II
1. North Dakota State (3-0) – Bison were like a kitten with a ball of yarn in Omaha.
2. Grand Valley State (0-0) – The Lakers might be going stir crazy.
3. Dayton (1-0) – The Flyers started the season with a rout of Purdue.
5. Minn.-Duluth (2-2) – They’ve played the toughest schedule of anyone.
4. Fullerton (5-0) – Alright Titans. Here’s your shot. Enjoy it.

Despite 15-6 loss to Oklahoma, WVU wins Big 12 Classic https://t.co/3dFBFBQbC1 via @dailyathenaeum
— WVU Men's Lacrosse (@WVULax) February 26, 2018

DIVISION I NOTES: It took three overtimes, but Washington downed Idaho, 11-10 on a Ben LaRoche tally…Texas A&M was a couple of goals away from a Florida sweep. As it played it out, they went 1-2 with only two games left in the regular season…Davenport off to a 2-0 start heading into its trip to BYU and UVU…Brad Hookum is not missing a beat in the Grand Canyon net. Great first weekend…hopefully the Tommies and Bulldogs got Minnesota ready for Florida State and Georgia Tech next weekend.

DIVISION II NOTES: Wake Forest keeps rolling along. Now 5-0 with a huge game against UNC-Charlotte up next…Worcester State lost its first game in the MCLA to Stonehill, but may have found a nice rival…Pitt picked up its first win of the season against Central Michigan.

Get those Commanding Performance of the Week nominations to info@mcla.us today!