2015 Preseason Big Ten Lacrosse Power Rankings
Photo provided by Johns Hopkins.
Lacrosse season is just about two weeks away and it is time to start looking at how Big Ten lacrosse teams stack up. So here it is, the Inaugural Big Ten Preseason Rankings (B1G stuff, guys):
#6: Michigan Wolverines
Michigan is still pretty fresh to the lacrosse world and are still trying to find their identity. They were just raised to the NCAA level in 2012. Last year did not serve the Wolverines very well in the ECAC as they finished 5-11 and went 0-4 against current Big Ten teams, being outscored 64-23 in those four games. The only team they did not play in preparation of this merge is Rutgers.
Michigan players and coaches alike are focused on having a winning season, making the Big Ten Tournament, and of course, beating Ohio State. The incoming freshman were ranked as the 19th-best recruiting class according to Inside Lacrosse. I think a winning record is still a little too far out of reach for the Wolverines, but with a favorable non-conference schedule, it might be possible with a couple of conference play upsets.
Prediction: 5-8 (1-4)
#5 Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Rutgers enters their first year in the Big Ten with two new transfers, a preseason All-American, and a schedule loaded with home games. Even still, I’m hesitant to believe Rutgers will compete well this year.
Rutgers added two new midfielders to the team: Jeff George, sophomore from UMass, and Alex Schoen, freshman from Syracuse. This will give Rutgers a little more depth and stability at that position to accommodate preseason All-American, Joseph Nardella.
Joseph Nardella, senior midfielder, has been named a preseason All-American for the second straight year by Inside Lacrosse. He ranked fifth last season in faceoffs and fourth in ground balls. This will be a critical part of Rutgers game to be able to give them second chances and extended offensive possessions.
Prediction: 7-11 (1-4)
#4 Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State’s biggest struggle this year will be their schedule. They have six ranked teams on the schedule including three in their new conference. The good news for them is that four of these ranked games are being played at home where they went 5-3 last year.
I still think Ohio State can surprise some people and take the three-seed in the Big Ten Tournament over Penn State. But I will reserve any further judgment until I am able to see how this team can play together in early games before getting into the teeth of this schedule.
It will be very exciting for their hometown crowd being able to see arguably the best trio of home games at the end of the season. They will host Johns Hopkins, followed by preseason No. 1 Denver; and then they will host Maryland in their annual Showdown in the Shoe.
Prediction: 9-6 (2-3)
#3 Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State will also face a very tough schedule playing against six ranked teams from the preseason polls. The difference here is that Penn State also is ranked and are led by senior midfielder Kyle Zittel. He is the lone team captain and hopes to take this team very far into the NCAA tournament.
Again, the common theme driving the creation of this conference is tough schedules. Penn State is a great team this year but will be bound to run into a couple of buzzsaws over the season. But I do see them pulling off some huge upsets. Look out for the Nittany Lions; they are lurking in the shadows in the Big Ten.
Prediction: 8-5 (3-2)
#2 Maryland Terrapins
If there is one team that will stand in the way of Johns Hopkins from winning the first ever Big Ten championship, it’s the Terps. The big question mark surrounding the Terps is the void left behind by Mike Chanenchuk, Niko Amato, and Connor Cannizzaro. But with coach John Tillman at the helm, the Terps should be able to find other ways to score and should be able to fill these holes.
The travel itinerary for this team midseason could prove to be very difficult and could really hurt the Terps. In a span of two weeks, the Terps travel to Villanova, then out to Santa Ana, California for the second annual Pacific Coast Shootout against former ACC foe, North Carolina.
Prediction: 11-3 (4-1)
#1 Johns Hopkins Blue Jays
After years of being an independent powerhouse, Johns Hopkins will become the first ever affiliate member of the Big Ten Athletic Conference. This team is stacked full of experienced players like Wells Stanwick and Ryan Brown leading the attack and Michael Pellegrino at midfield.
Hopkins also has Eric Schneider between the pipes, who Coach Peitramala seems optimistic will have a huge year. Schneider’s teammates also feel the same way as they have made him the first goalie since 2003 to be named a captain of the Blue Jays.
Hopkins definitely has the inside track for winning the B1G this year, but they will have to take care of business outside the conference if they want to win. They play Virginia at home and Syracuse and North Carolina both on the road; and if they lose these games, they give room to another B1G team to close the gap. And if that team happens to be Maryland, the two rivals might be playing for the number one seed the final week of the season.
Prediction: 11-2 (4-1)