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

1. Super Bowl week means lacrosse goes mainstream.

It helps that the New England Patriots and their lacrosse-loving coach Bill Belichick have reached this pinnacle now for the third time in the last four years. Quarterback Tom Brady was asked during opening night festivities Monday at Super Bowl 52 to name four things that would make his notoriously curmudgeonly coach smile. Lacrosse was second on the list, partially inspiring this graphic from ESPN on Tuesday.

If you want to make Bill Belichick smile, just talk about one of these four things. pic.twitter.com/2RbPat9dmg

— ESPN (@espn) January 30, 2018

Not that we needed another reason to reaffirm Belichick’s infatuation with our sport, but ESPN lacrosse analyst Paul Carcaterra did an in-depth interview with Belichick as part of our “Overtime” series in May 2016. It’s worth another watch in advance of the big game.

 

2. Dom Starsia knows all too well the special connection between football and lacrosse. His latest piece centers on Patrick Kerney, the massive Virginia lacrosse recruit who walked on to the football team and enjoyed a fruitful 11-year NFL career as a defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks.

3. Albany appears poised to be next to join the party of NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse teams to enjoy a major breakthrough. With an attack featuring an established star (Connor Fields), a reliable mainstay (Justin Reh) and an exciting newcomer (Tehoka Nanticoke) — not to mention faceoff ace TD Ierlan — the pieces are in place for the Great Danes to go further than they ever have before.

4. Penn State is back. One of two teams to make the last two NCAA championship weekends, the Nittany Lions will aim to make it three straight with many new faces. “Twin towers” Madison Carter and Katie O’Donnell are as good a duo as any in college women’s lacrosse.

WHAT WE’RE READING

• Inside Lacrosse released preseason media polls for Division I men and women.

• US Lacrosse’s tournament sanctioning program is expanding with three new event owner-operators on board.

• NCAA.com mentions Providence as a dark horse on the precipice of the college men’s lacrosse season.

• Marquette women’s lacrosse has its first in-state recruit.

• Ryan Powell hasn’t played in the Carrier Dome since 2000, but he’s still doling out assists for Syracuse, this time in the form of a surprise prospect from Portland who could be on the Orange’s first midfield line.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

Hurricane Harvey hit home for High Point’s Dalton Sulver. He brought three teammates with him to Houston to help whomever wherever.

 

Riding in cars with boys, part one: Kyle Harrison swaps war stories with NHL All-Star (and fellow STX endorsee) Vincent Trocheck.

 

Riding in cars with boys, part two: Meet the Toronto Rock’s over-singing duo of Brad Kri and Challen Rogers.

We're not saying that Brad Kri and @ChallenRogers are going to win a #Grammy but they do enjoy belting out the tunes! #RoadTrippin #CarKaraoke pic.twitter.com/7w3uJW6STz

— Toronto Rock (@TorontoRockLax) January 30, 2018

Riding in cars with boys, part three: ESPN analyst Paul Carcaterra provided a sneak peek at his interview with Syracuse’s Austin Fusco that will run on ESPNU in the coming weeks.

Raw behind the scenes footage of the last 24 hours with @CuseMLAX Captain Austin Fusco. Be on the for the full piece in the coming weeks. #espnulax pic.twitter.com/FtbmIfTVMB

— Paul Carcaterra (@paulcarcaterra) January 31, 2018

Binging on Big Ten Network previews featuring interviews with the coaches from Johns Hopkins, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio State, Northwestern, Penn State and Rutgers.

To ensure success this season, @jhumenslacrosse head coach Dave Pietramala is emphasizing a collective team mentality. #B1GLax pic.twitter.com/Q2xt00ZHsZ

— B1GLacrosse (@B1GLacrosse) January 30, 2018

With eight starters returning from last season's roster, @HopkinsLacrosse head coach Janine Tucker is confident in the leadership of her veterans. #B1GLax pic.twitter.com/5yG0ZOy2cV

— B1GLacrosse (@B1GLacrosse) January 30, 2018

.@TerpsMLax head coach John Tillman is focused on a fresh start after earning the 2017 #NCAALax National Championship title, and is eager for new opportunities this season. #B1GLax pic.twitter.com/edsaiN2NZQ

— B1GLacrosse (@B1GLacrosse) January 30, 2018

With 11 new faces on @MarylandWLax this season, head coach Cathy Reese is eager for the team veterans to lead the young #Terrapins into the competition and excellence of #B1GLax. pic.twitter.com/ZknK82II1A

— B1GLacrosse (@B1GLacrosse) January 30, 2018

In his inaugural season at the helm of @UMichLacrosse, Kevin Conry is focused on attacking each day the "Michigan Way." #B1GLax pic.twitter.com/rpsQSrx5uO

— B1GLacrosse (@B1GLacrosse) January 30, 2018

In her first season as head coach of @UMichWLAX, Hannah Nielsen is looking to instill a mentality of self-belief and accountability with the #Wolverines. #B1GLax pic.twitter.com/FDrh5yrrS8

— B1GLacrosse (@B1GLacrosse) January 30, 2018

Entering her 17th season as head coach of @NULax, Kelly Amonte Hiller reflects on the rapid growth of #B1GLax as an elite league. #B1GLax pic.twitter.com/gtoTwyqkiJ

— B1GLacrosse (@B1GLacrosse) January 30, 2018

This fall, 36 @OhioState_MLAX students received OSU Scholar Athlete honors, which for head coach Nick Myers shows the #Buckeyes drive and determination to succeed. #B1GLax pic.twitter.com/K0mylKfkcy

— B1GLacrosse (@B1GLacrosse) January 30, 2018

Head coach Alexis Venechanos of @OhioState_WLAX is eager to kick off the 2018 season as the #Buckeyes take on three of the Final Four teams from the 2017 #NCAALax Tournament. #B1GLax pic.twitter.com/AItyAd6y3b

— B1GLacrosse (@B1GLacrosse) January 30, 2018

According to @PennStateMLAX head coach Jeff Tambroni, preaparation and confidence are key to succeeding in #B1GLax. pic.twitter.com/SvbKscud1m

— B1GLacrosse (@B1GLacrosse) January 30, 2018

With the graduation of six starters last season, @PennStateWLAX head coach Missy Doherty is impressed by how the underclassmen have taken over leadership positions within the team. #B1GLax pic.twitter.com/9J2Orzljru

— B1GLacrosse (@B1GLacrosse) January 30, 2018

With 13 seniors returning to @RUmlax, head coach Brian Brecht is hoping the veteran students' experience and team chemistry will be the foundation of a strong season. #B1GLax pic.twitter.com/QIgWqEDfeS

— B1GLacrosse (@B1GLacrosse) January 30, 2018

Entering her 16th season at the helm of @rulaxbrand, Laura Brand Sias continues to be impressed by not only the athletic success of #B1GLax, but also the conference's commitment and history. pic.twitter.com/M5KyoBQf9B

— B1GLacrosse (@B1GLacrosse) January 30, 2018

WHAT’S ON TAP

• Our college preseason countdown nears its end with previews of the No. 3-ranked Denver men and North Carolina women.

• From the January edition, which features prominently Tom Schreiber’s family legacy, we’re looking at other prominent father-son duos in the sport.

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