Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:

1. ESPN released Wednesday its lacrosse TV schedule for 2018, featuring nearly 40 lacrosse games on ESPNU starting Feb. 10 as No. 14 Towson goes up against No. 13 Johns Hopkins.

This year’s commentators include Quint Kessenich, Paul Carcaterra, Sheehan Stanwick-Burch, Ryan Boyle, Matt Ward, Ryan Flanagan, Don Zimmerman and Jon “Stugotz” Weiner. Play-by-play commentators are Anish Shroff, Jay Alter, John Brickley, Mike Corey and Chris Cotter.

2. Denver embarks on its last ride with faceoff specialist Trevor Baptiste, whose storied career could end with a second national title in four seasons. As good as Baptiste is on the field, coach Bill Tierney says he’s even more impactful off it.

“I’ve been around a lot of teams and have been around a lot of people,” Tierney said. “This guy is among the top-five people I’ve ever met.”

3. No. 2 North Carolina may be its best with modest expectations. Marie McCool and Maggie Bill give the Tar Heels a lethal 1-2 punch in the midfield this year. Despite a disappointing end to 2017, they could be heading for another national title.

“We set a school record last year for goals, but we lost a lot of points,” UNC coach Jenny Levy said. “How quickly can our offense jell as people step into new roles? I’m not concerned, I’m curious.”

4. Grand Canyon and St. Thomas sit atop the Under Armour MCLA Preseason Coaches Polls in Division I and Division II, respectively, the association announced Wednesday.

5. It might be genetics. Several father-and-son duos – and trios – starred in the lacrosse world, including the Danowskis, Hauses, Holmans, Lowes, Schreibers and more.

What We’re Reading

• The Baltimore Sun takes a look at the first Maverik men’s lacrosse media poll with Duke at No. 1.

• More college previews are beginning to roll out with the season’s start tomorrow, including Albany, Penn State and UMBC.

• San Diego State hopes to build off its 2017 success, which included its first MPSF tournament victory in program history.

• Former Rutgers goalie Kris Alleyne talks about his opportunity to be an assistant for the Puerto Rico national team.

• Eddie Clark, the winningest girls high school lacrosse coach in Ohio’s state history, will be inducted into the US Lacrosse Ohio Hall of Fame June 9.

• Police in Colorado responded to case of stolen lacrosse gear, reaching out to the Colorado Mammoth to surprise the high school student with new equipment.  

• Anne Arundel County wants to acquire the county fairgrounds, site of the proposed Chesapeake Bayhawks’ stadium, but officials claim it doesn’t have anything to do with the team’s plan.

What We’re Watching

The NCAA has been counting down the days until the beginning of the 2018 season, which starts today. Here’s a look back at the final countdown:

The journey to crown a national champion begins TOMORROW!!! pic.twitter.com/MXOWyq9SN3

— NCAA Lacrosse (@NCAALAX) January 31, 2018

Now you see it, now you don't...
The hidden ball trick returns in 2 days. pic.twitter.com/xAKI6PBBK9

— NCAA Lacrosse (@NCAALAX) January 30, 2018

Get your reps in now. LACROSSE RETURNS THIS WEEK!

(via @ArmyWP_MLax)pic.twitter.com/s7qJsuOH2J

— NCAA Lacrosse (@NCAALAX) January 29, 2018

In 3 days, the defenses will hold strong.pic.twitter.com/Bk7Cvxyuoa

— NCAA Lacrosse (@NCAALAX) January 29, 2018

Nifty maneuvers are back in 4 days. pic.twitter.com/EeuG3h8BlE

— NCAA Lacrosse (@NCAALAX) January 28, 2018

The party starts in 5 days! pic.twitter.com/tqvZOSrHPF

— NCAA Lacrosse (@NCAALAX) January 27, 2018

Jaw-dropping goals return in 6 days. pic.twitter.com/Op2v2ASyaJ

— NCAA Lacrosse (@NCAALAX) January 26, 2018

In 7 days, the trickery will commence. pic.twitter.com/FAzZPLG7Wy

— NCAA Lacrosse (@NCAALAX) January 25, 2018

Overtime game-winners return in 8 days...
Even from midfield. pic.twitter.com/wWJZxjzhhn

— NCAA Lacrosse (@NCAALAX) January 24, 2018

happens in 9 days. pic.twitter.com/FTMOfJfWGT

— NCAA Lacrosse (@NCAALAX) January 23, 2018

In 10 days quick strikes will happen... pic.twitter.com/vgRtM6lR8A

— NCAA Lacrosse (@NCAALAX) January 22, 2018

Plus, Lacrosse Network’s Colin and Samir get one-on-one faceoff lessons with Team USA’s Greg Gurenlian.

The boys from @LacrosseNetwork got a faceoff lesson from the legend himself @GregBeast32 @Faceoff_Academy: https://t.co/hMJC71JXsS

— MajorLeague Lacrosse (@MLL_Lacrosse) January 31, 2018

What’s On Tap

• Vermont and Furman men kick off the 2018 season with a match in South Carolina at 6 p.m.

• Take a sneak peak inside our February edition of US Lacrosse Magazine.

• Our college preview countdown continues today with No. 2 Maryland in Division I men’s lacrosse and No. 2 Stony Brook in Division I women’s lacrosse.

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