Re: UML Offseason Begins
Really tough beginning to the conference slate, especially for a team loaded with sohpomores and a new coach:
At BC, BC, BU, 2 in Orono, and at UNH before hosting Amherst and UAH, then right back into the fire with UNH, at UNH and BC. Brutal. Hopefully they play well, pull off some upsets and keep a decent record, then hit the second semester firing on all cylinders and with some momentum to climb up the standings.
Now that's its 01 Aug, I can end my moratorium on board posting about the season as we are now only eight short weeks from the exhibition game.
There's no question that people who have follow this team for quite some time know that it most likely be a rough stretch of HE games to start the season. I can almost guarantee that some on this board may think that there is an excellent chance that Lowell goes 0-6 to start out the season. I'd have to say that's more than a fair and unfortunately, a realistic argument. Nine out of the first eleven are against the "Big Four" and only five of the those first eleven are at home. Going 2-8-1 during the stretch with that schedule wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing or cause to start a panic in my mind. In fact, anything better than four wins in that schedule is bonus territory. At the very least, by Nov. 15, the trips to Orono and Chestnut Hill will be done for the 2011-2012 season until hopefully playoff time.
However, to start the season, I'm especially interested in the outcomes of the first three non-conference games to set the table. I really didn't like the tempo set in the games last year in NY and we were very fortunate to come out of those two games with ties. I'd like to see us at 2-1 to start, because the first two home games in the Tsongas Arena will be under packed houses. Some will be curious to see Bazin's first games but moreso because it's BC/BU in successive weeks. Others have made the point that BC/BU have had histories starting off "slowly" so stealing a couple of points would be a fine way to the season.
The reward is the second half, 13 out of the remaining 16 aganist the rest of the league, including all three with PC, Merrimack, and UVM. The key to whether or not this team gets back into the playoffs this year is the outcome of that six-game homestand from 1/28 to 2/17. If they go 4-2 or better during that stretch, they are back in the playoffs. If they go 1-5, watch out.
As far as the non-conference schedule, I really hope that can go 5-1 or 4-2 with the teams they play. I'd love for them to take the Mankato series as revenge from last year but would be happy with a split. You have to close escrow on teams like Army, UConn, and Ala-HSV. Really looking forward to the trip to Mankato, to cross off another arena on the list. BTW, for those thinking about Mankato, airfare to MSP is down in the low to mid 200's, which is a good deal right now. There's a chance it could drop to around $200 round trip but that's about as low as it goes as MSP is not a cheap airport to fly into. While Mankato does have an airport capable of landing jets, it does not have commerical air service. MSP is the only option. Once that 21-day period comes into effect, the fares will skyrocket. The next four to six weeks are going to be the buy-time for airfare. Make sure that you budget a minimum of three hours from the hotel to Mankato, that's not a straightfoward drive from the airport to downtown and south-central Minnesota.
... I haven't heard names. I'm hoping the higher end recruits all make it in, I suppose we should see very soon.