ESPN College Sports

Ever wondered what former lacrosse players do in their spare time? Well, it turns out they banter about everything under the lacrosse sun. ESPNU wanted in. So each week, 2005 Tewaaraton winner and four-time Major League Lacrosse all-star Kyle Harrison and former Virginia Cavaliers All-American and MLL all-star Brett Hughes will use this space to debate their thoughts on the sport. Get ready -- these Southern California roommates have a lot on their minds.

What does this weekend's Virginia-Johns Hopkins matchup bring to the table?

Kyle Harrison: Well, we couldn't let Week 1 of our debates go by without bringing up the huge matchup this weekend at Homewood Field between UVa and Hopkins (Saturday on ESPNU, 8 p.m. ET). Now, I'm clearly biased as a former Blue Jay, but I'll do my best not to allow that to come through. But I think this is an important game for Hopkins for a number of reasons. The Blue Jays have had a rough start (by their standards) to the season, with early losses to Princeton and Syracuse. It's important for them to play with confidence Saturday. Offensively, they are still finding their identity after losing All-Americans Paul Rabil, Stephen Peyser, and Kevin Huntley to graduation, but Steven Boyle, Michael Kimmel & Co. are starting to jell.

Faceoffs will play a huge part in this game, as UVa's offense can put up big numbers. If Hop can win some draws and keep UVa's loaded offense off the field for chunks of time, it will be in their best interest.

I'm a bit torn on the verdict, but I'm going with Hopkins by one. Danny Glading, if you're reading this, feel free to stay home. Thanks.

Brett Hughes: Kyle, I love that you are staying true to Hopkins blue. … Unfortunately, I think UVa is going to bring it to Homewood. Despite the Blue Jays' rough start, all records and rankings go out the window in this game. Like Michigan vs. Ohio State in football, anyone can win. As a matter of fact, I think every year I played with UVa against Hopkins, the "underdog" ended up winning -- aside from the NCAA title in 2003 (which we won, by the way).

I will say that UVa needs a strong performance from Adam Ghitelman in goal, and I know that Hopkins' Mike Gvozden, who may be one of the most entertaining players in the NCAA when he gets going, will be ready to put up his big game. We will see which goalie shows up.

Kimmel and Boyle are pretty dirty; both of those boys can flat-out play … but UVa's defense will be guarding them. Mike Timms and Ken Clausen may be two of the top four poles in the country and can chew up anyone, so these matchups should be a blast to watch.

UVa's offense will put a good deal of pressure on Gvozden in net, but that all depends on whether they get the ball enough. I can see coach Dave Pietramala and the Blue Jays slowing the game down big-time to avoid running up and down with Brian Carroll, Shamel Bratton and Steve Giannone. And, of course, those three young men on attack are pretty ridiculous as well. Among Garrett Billings, Steele Stanwick, and Glading, you get 52 out of the 126 goals for UVa (88 points among the three as well).

They keep it closer than I think it would be down in Charlottesville, but I think it's UVa by four.

Who is the most exciting player in the country?

KH: In my mind, there isn't a more exciting (I didn't say best) player in the country than Virginia's Shamel Bratton. The kid has developed into an absolute monster. He's as good a dodger as I've seen, and as his shooting continues to develop (15 goals this season), he's going to be virtually unguardable. He's a nightmare to plan for because as far as dodging goes, there's nothing he can't do. Against Duke last year, he changed directions so many times that his defender's feet and hips were literally trying to go in opposite directions -- a poor Blue Devils middie collapsed as Shamel sent a low-to-high shot into the top corner of the goal. I've seen film of him this year, and what's scary is that he's starting to realize how athletic he is and what he's capable of doing on the lacrosse field.

BH: I agree. When Shamel becomes a complete player -- as Chris Rotelli did, or even you, Kyle -- he will be uncontainable, like Casey Powell; A.J. Haugen; Jay Jalbert; and yes, even you … kind of. However, I love watching Kenny Nims play for the Orange. He has 11 goals and 12 assists to lead his team with 23 points. I believe he has a game-winner mixed in there as well. Nims' all-around athletic ability even puts him above Cuse's Matt Abbott. I would like to see him start going a little harder to the corner, like one of the Powell brothers or a Josh Coffman from years past, but this kid is just exciting.

Which senior will end up being the best pro lacrosse player?

BH: I have to take Cornell's Max Seibald. I think he has the frame to play with the intensity and brutality of the league (a crosscheck is a bit different at the next level) and his stick skills are up to par with the middies as well. But I think his best asset is the way he plays. There's not much flash, no dancing; he is just a bull to the cage -- a bit like you, Kyle, in the fall's Hawaii Lacrosse Invitational when you are going up against the high school kids. At the next level, too many kids dance and try to shy away from the checks and slashes. Those who don't (Greg Downing, Tim Goettelmann, John Grant, Ryan Powell, Jesse Hubbard, etc.) continue to produce because of their will to get to the cage. This guy provides that.

My honorable mention would be Virginia's Glading. He has that poise and crazy athletic ability to take advantage of a defenseman who overcommits. Frankly, the best way to put it is the kid's a beast.

KH: For starters, I can't control who comes to play in club tournaments, Brett, so leave me alone.

I couldn't agree more about Seibald, as he is an old-school midfielder who can literally do everything on the field at a very high level. My player would have to be hands-down Glading. In a league dominated by offensive players who are looking to create their own shot, I feel a player like Seibald can get overlooked for his unselfishness. But Glading is playing behind the cage and conducting an offense, so he'll have the ball in his stick the majority of the game. The kid has proved he can flat-out beat people and make plays at the highest level. There are tons of attackmen in the professional league who can put the ball in the back of the net, but Glading fits the Ryan Boyle and Conor Gill mold of an attackman who is capable of running an offense; getting to the goal if need be; and, most importantly, distributing the ball. If given the opportunity in the major league, the kid is going to be a superstar.

Whose name do we not hear about who you see making the biggest impact on college lacrosse?

BH: I actually have two. First, Virginia assistant coach Hannon Wright. He's a behind-the-scenes guy who is incredibly intelligent; has crazy work ethic; and, most importantly, makes time for everyone on the team. From logistics to personally working with kids on any aspect of life, coach Wright would easily be the glue that holds the team together. Hannon has made his mark because he is constantly willing to listen, and his gift of encouragement and simple "today is the best day of your life" mentality is infectious.

My other candidate would have to be assistant coach Kevin Warne at Harvard. He's a guy with a huge heart and a crazy love for the sport and getting to know the kids. He is a big reason Harvard is climbing the ranks and will be bringing in more and more of the top talent to Cambridge.

KH: I'm going with assistant coach Dave Allan at Johns Hopkins, as he was instrumental in the Blue Jays' two recent national championships. He's one of the most positive people I've ever had the opportunity to meet. When things get a little tense over at Hop during practices or games, he (and coach Bill Dwan) have a unique ability not only to unite everyone, but also to have a calming effect on the entire team. He's been around the game longer than most and has the ability to know exactly what a team or player needs at the very moment they need it. In my opinion, not many people are capable of that.

Brett Hughes is the lacrosse editor of ESPNRISE.com, ESPN's high school sports site. Check out his blog.