We could easily get in after losing to Duke and even dropping another if we win the ACC tourney (which does not come with an auto bid).
Our resume depends on our previous opponents too. We need Denver, Maryland and OSU to finish strong.
Granted, men's college lacrosse is a niche sport, rather than a headliner sport, but the directive still applies. Be as provocative as possible.
At times, there's a thin line between the provocative and the ridiculous, but this team has lost just enough head scratchers to allow them to feel comfortable picking on us.
Btw, if we are a bubble team (not saying that we will be), two other teams we may need to finish strong are Loyola and Towson. Neither helps us from a SOS perspective, but both are in good shape to make the tourney regardless, whereas the Patriot League and CAA both could be single-bid leagues if they win the conference tourneys.
Here’s a fun fact: If ND does beat Duke it will give the Blue Devils their 3rd ACC loss and knock them out of an ACC Tourney spot. That would be something
Beginning this year, all five ACC teams will qualify for the conference tournament.
All 5 teams play in the ACC Tournament this season.
4 and 5 play a play-in sort of game to become the 4th seed.
I didn't know they made that change. Having Duke left out would have been delicious. I guess it makes sense. Theoretically you could have five teams all go 2-2. Unlikely but you'd leave someone out on goal differential or strength of schedule? I guess letting the 5th team in has merit.
in Duke hoops losing.
at Richmond that could hurt us. A win at Duke gives us a very strong resume, but our schedule is so challenging that one game like that shouldn't make or break us. But winning at Duke would allow us to drop another along the way and not hurt us too much.
That leaves 8 free spots. Still early but you have some ACC and B1G are likely getting 3 nonconference winners in. That still could be ND.