US Lacrosse Magazine welcomes back ESPN play-by-play announcer Anish Shroff as a contributor for the 2021 college season. Shroff’s weekly columns on USLaxMagazine.com will include top-10 rankings and insights.

Shroff also is the co-host (alongside ESPN broadcast teammates Paul Carcaterra and Quint Kessenich) of the US Lacrosse Magazine show,  “Yard Sale” (Tuesdays, 8 p.m. ET on YouTube). 

ESPN College Lacrosse Schedule | TV/Live Stream Listings

Last week, I wrote that the North Carolina-Virginia game seemed like a great chance to “grow the game.” Fast pace. Plenty of offense. Star power. It had all the ingredients to entice a new fan.

Well, I decided to put that theory to the test with friend and colleague Roddy Jones.

Roddy played football and baseball at Georgia Tech. These days, he’s a football and baseball game analyst for ESPN and the ACC Network. A few weeks ago, I texted Roddy during a Georgia Tech baseball game that he was calling. Roddy let me know that they had a promo read coming up for that weekend’s Syracuse-Virginia lacrosse game. Seeing the opportunity to promote lacrosse to a baseball audience, I bombarded Roddy with talking points — and Roddy sold it!

Hey @QKessenich @paulcarcaterra @kettkettering - WE GOT @RoddyJones20! Showing some love this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/KDdFBxNaV4

— Anish Shroff (@AnishESPN) February 24, 2021

I worked football games for two years with Roddy, so he’s heard me ramble on about lacrosse. But until last week, he had never watched a full game. I thought his perspective would be enlightening. What does this game look like to a sports fan who is unfamiliar with lacrosse? What cuts through? What’s confusing? Could lacrosse win over Roddy?

Q&A with Roddy

Anish: What was your impression of lacrosse before you sat down and watched a full game?  

Roddy: I've watched parts of games before, mostly to support my friends calling the games, but my feeling was I wouldn’t enjoy a full game because I had no idea what was going on. Growing up, I felt it was a niche sport for those that were a lot richer than me, so I probably still have some of those feelings. 

Anish: What did you make of the physical and athletic demands of being a lacrosse player?

Roddy: I’m not sure I realized how much those dudes run — especially in a game like that. Between the physicality and the speed, it’s like every guy on the field is a running back or linebacker. If you want the ball, it’s impossible to avoid physical contact.

Anish: A few minutes after you started watching, what jumped out at you right away?

Roddy: The variety of athletic and technical skills needed. Speed, quickness, toughness, vision. There were a lot of parallels to sports that I already watch. 

Anish: What were some of the things that confused you as someone watching the game for the first time?

Roddy: Oh man. Number of players. The amount of players in one area and the restrictions/roles for them. Different stick lengths. Why would someone ever want to be a goalie?? Stand here with a big net on the end of your stick and we’re going to hurl the ball at you at God knows what speed ... and if you do save it, you’re going to get harassed!

Anish: What were some of the things (rules, strategy, etc.) that you were able to figure out as the game went along?

Roddy: I figured out pretty quickly that you don’t want to mess with the dudes with the long sticks. Also, you figure out quickly how the shot clock plays into everything. Paul Carcaterra and Chris Cotter did a nice job of letting me know that a big reason we hadn’t seen a whole lot from UVA’s best player was because of No. 24 for UNC [Will Bowen]. That made me watch [Bowen] more and made me appreciate another side of the game that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise. It was pretty easy to see the big changes in strategy with penalties, too. That was easy to pick up.

Anish: What was your takeaway from watching the faceoffs?

Roddy: If you’ve got a good or hot faceoff guy, it’s like a cheat code. Makes it fun if the team behind starts to dominate them. I still have no idea how one guy gets it over the other, but it’s pretty badass!

Anish: What parts of the game appealed to you the most?

Roddy: Loved the quick passes to cutters for scores and the fast breaks. Also, the goal that Chris Gray scored with his back to the goal — that was an “Oh s%&#” moment.

Anish: Were you able to connect with any of the players? If so, who and why?

Roddy: I found myself rooting for guys that I found out were from Atlanta. I definitely walked away with favorite players, but as a Black guy, I would have loved to see more dudes that looked like me. Not faulting those schools or teams at all; my impression is it’s the nature of the sport, but it is something I noticed. 

Anish: What — if anything — did you feel the game was missing?

Roddy: A microphone for the ref. Poor dude had to yell the whole time.

Anish: As broadcasters, we try to toe a fine line. We want to educate the novice fan but not insult the hardcore fan. Cottter and Carcaterra both do a great job of making all parts of the audience feel included. As someone new to the game, did you feel included?

Roddy: I did. There were enough nuggets that they threw in, be it analogies or descriptions of penalties, that helped me understand what was going on. I’ve worked with both of those guys before and have heard them a lot doing football. I appreciated the combination of insider lingo (1-3-2, shortie) that I had to ask about, mixed with the basics. Most of all, I was drawn in by the passion of both guys. As an analyst, I want to make people feel like I did listening to Carc. He loves the sport, and he had the same awe I did when he saw incredible displays of athleticism. The chemistry that he and Chris have is A+. “Broadcaster goalz.” Alright, enough compliments for Cotter and Carc. 

Anish: You listed Chris Gray in your notes a few times. Describe watching Chris Gray.

Roddy: I saw a dude that is the type of player you want to watch, no matter the sport. Not the biggest, but a really good athlete, relentless competitor, creative, strong, tough. I’m always drawn to those guys that pop off the screen. I really enjoyed watching William Perry, too! He looks like one hell of an athlete.

Anish: So, will you watch another game?

Roddy: Yeah man, I love the way UNC plays, so if they’re on, I’ll watch. UVA’s physicality was fun, too, and I’ve talked to Lars Tiffany a few times and love each opportunity to do so. Seeing his team’s playing style was really cool. Those guys fought their tails off. I now want to learn more about the game, see other great players and see different playing styles. I feel like I have an entry point, though. I know I like watching those two teams. If nothing else, I’ll start there. 

Roddy Jones’ Game Notes
A First-Timer’s Lacrosse Takeaways

— Oh yellow flags, I know those ... delay of game? Oh, got it. Thanks, Carc.

— Unreleasable 1 min.? What’s that mean?

— What are the rules about hitting the opponent with a stick, ’cause there seems to be a lot of that goin’ on ...

— Oh damn, two dudes just got leveled. When do they assess penalties?

— No. 3 from UNC just ran a 4.2 to run somebody down on a fast break.

— Who gets the ball when it goes out of bounds?

— UVA seems like they’re pressing high ... is that normal?

— What makes a good faceoff guy?

— Does the goalie only have a giant stick? No extra pads? Cahones.

— This is fun. 

— 3-minute penalty???

— UNC No. 21 [Justin Anderson] just ran through three would-be tacklers.

— I think UNC No. 3 [William Perry] would be a good RB. Tiptoed the sideline.

— Oh a screen, what are the rules there?

— Why are there so many transfers?

— Carc just called somebody a shortie? I love it. Using it in my games. What is it? Short stick or short person?

— Gotta love a 77 getting in on the scoring.

— How the hell did UNC No. 4 [Chris Gray] not lose the ball on that goal??? Pump faked through contact and scored. He may be my my new favorite.

— Ooooh Carc, a little 1-3-2 talk ... talk to me dirty.

— The guy behind the goal, what does he do? Is he mainly a facilitator?

— No. 39 in blue (UNC goalie Collin Krieg) is having a damn game.

— Not just saying this because I’ve worked with him ... I’m one half into the game, and I love listening to Carc call lax.

— Dox ... good name

— Why would the goalie ever leave the net and let another guy stand in?

— Payton Cormier looks like he should be standing next to Zane Zandier on UVA’s defense.

— Whoa, this is a game.

— My dude just shot it facing the other direction ... Chris Gray is officially my favorite; the audacity! The unmitigated GALL!

— Fun game.

ANISH’S TOP 10 TEAMS
As of Monday, March 15

1. Maryland

Heading into the fourth quarter of Rutgers-Maryland, there were three worthy candidates for No. 1 — North Carolina, Maryland and Rutgers. After the fourth quarter, the equation solved itself. The Terrapins activated their uber beast mode in the final stanza. The Terps exploded for EIGHT goals in a NINE-minute stretch to turn an 11-10 game into a blowout. We’ve seen this movie before.​

Remember the eye-gauging “possession shots” that John Tillman’s Maryland teams used in the pre-shot clock era? That feels like it was in the Mesozoic Era. The Terps have connected on 42 percent of their shots. That’s elite. If it’s on cage ... good luck. Opposing goalies have saved a little more than a third of the shots against the Terrapins. They play fast. They play smart. They’re well coached. The talent reservoir seems endless. But in this age of super offenses, the Terps possess the defensive component, too. Brett Makar — “The Yorktown Missile” — plays like a human tempest. No booch. Add Marquette transfer Nick Grill and veteran Matt Rahill to the mix, and you’ve got a back line that only Notre Dame can rival. This is a complete team. Start looking for hotels in East Hartford.

2. North Carolina

Chris Gray finally got to play in an ACC game. The Boston University transfer netted four goals and an assist in a 16-13 win against Virginia. Excellence has become routine. Gray’s tallied at least four goals in five of Carolina’s seven games. He’s the Tewaaraton favorite right now. The Tar Heels are now 14-0 with Gray.

Will Bowen held Virginia star Matt Moore to 2-for-15 shooting. Freshman goalie Collin Krieg has been steady all season. Last Thursday he was superb, making a career-high 20 saves. UNC gets Air Force this weekend before a Thursday night tilt at Duke on April Fool’s Day.

3. Duke

Nakeie Montgomery was the breakout star during Duke’s Championship Weekend run in 2018. His late-season emergence gave the Blue Devils another dynamic offensive weapon. As a sophomore, he improved exponentially as a passer. Last year, he was limited by injuries, and we never got to see the real Nakeie. This year, he’s played like an All-American.

The numbers may not pop off the page because Duke rotates in a ton of personnel. But when Montgomery has been on the field, he’s never looked better. He’s picking his spots and picking apart defenses with surgical precision. His turnovers are down. His efficiency is off the charts. His vision and shooting accuracy have fused with his speed to make him an impossible cover. Make him a passer, and he’ll find teammates — and those guys are pretty good, too. If you make him a shooter, pour one out for your ankles. If you put a short stick on him, you better start writing your own eulogy.

4. Rutgers

For three quarters on Saturday, we watched Rutgers sweat it out on the streets of a runaway American dream. Just when it seemed the Scarlet Knights might pull out of College Park with a win, the screen door slammed. Maryland’s flag waved. And the dream died.

So is a dream a lie if it don’t come true? Or is it something worse? The reality is, everything dies — and that’s a fact. But maybe … everything that dies someday comes back.

Like a river that don’t know where it’s flowing, Rutgers merely took a wrong turn. But they’ll keep going.

The Scarlet Knights visit resurgent Johns Hopkins this week before Maryland comes to Piscataway to close the month. This is a veteran team with skin like leather and the diamond-hard look of a cobra. There’ll be better days ahead.

5. Army

Saturday’s game against Colgate was postponed due to COVID-related issues at Army. The Black Knights appear to be the class of the Patriot League. Let’s hope they can get healthy and back on the field soon.

6. Syracuse

Paul Carcaterra has said it a few times this season. “Owen Hiltz is the most skilled freshman to come to the ‘Cuse since Mikey Powell.” So far, Hiltz (Inside Lacrosse’s No. 2 overall recruit) has delivered. He’s followed up a three-goal, two-assist effort in his first career start against Virginia with back-to-back four-goal games. The ACC Freshman of the Year race projects as a four-man derby between Hiltz, Duke’s Brennan O’Neill, UNC’s Collin Krieg and Virginia’s Connor Shellenberger.

Syracuse’s next opponent, Hofstra, has paused team activities after a positive COVID-19 test. Holy Cross has stepped in to replace the Pride for a trip to the Dome on Saturday.

7. Virginia

“Round up the usual suspects.” UVA has relied on consistent production all season from Shellenberger, Payton Cormier and Charlie Bertrand. It just needs its constants to find more consistency.

Against North Carolina, Dox Aitken, the highest scoring midfielder in school history, was held without a goal for the fourth time this season. Aitken was also held without a goal in the loss to Syracuse. Matt Moore did put up four points (two goals, two assists) against UNC but was held to 2-for-15 shooting. In Virginia’s loss to Syracuse, Moore shot 0-for-10.

Ian Laviano, the ACC’s top goal scorer in 2019, was also held without a goal against UNC. All three were instrumental during the Cavaliers championship run in 2019. Time to worry? No, not yet. There is too much talent and too much experience. The silver lining in the UNC loss was that Virginia did unearth a little more scoring depth. Contributions from Reagan Quinn, Jeff Conner and Griffin Harris bode well long term.

8. Georgetown

Patrick Ewing needs to show ID to move around Madison Square Garden? I know this is a lacrosse column, but c’mon? At least Georgetown hoops got a measure of respect by winning the Big East tournament and getting an AQ to the Big Dance. Now it’s time for lax to do the same. Yes, I’ve got Georgetown at No. 8. Yes, the Hoyas are below two-loss Virginia.

See, the Hoos have played Syracuse, North Carolina and Army. That’s a big boy schedule. In Georgetown’s defense, this weekend’s game with Denver was pushed back to Tuesday due to a snowstorm. I’m a believer in this team, but a marquee win is needed to validate the dominance.

9. Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish get Marquette (0-4) on St. Patrick’s Day and then Cleveland State (1-2) this weekend. Then it’s a head-first dive into ACC competition. Notre Dame has never lost to Marquette, but three of the last four regular-season meetings have provided late drama. In 2018, Notre Dame scored two goals in the final 42 seconds of regulation to clip the Golden Eagles 8-7.

In 2017, with the score tied at 10, Sergio Perkovic bagged the winner with 25 seconds left. In 2016, Notre Dame won in OT on Matt Kavanagh’s fourth goal of the game. Paul Carcaterra and I will have the call for the St. Patty’s Day matinee (4 p.m., ACCN). Quint Kessenich offered to loan us his leprechaun blazer for the occasion. What a teammate.

10. Denver

As much as Tuesday’s tilt with Georgetown is a litmus test for the Hoyas, it should also tell us how far the Pios have come. Two early season losses to Duke and North Carolina dropped Denver from the national consciousness. Don’t underestimate the return of Alex Simmons to the lineup. He missed the first three games but has put up gaudy numbers since returning (four goals versus Marquette; three goals and four assists versus Providence; five goals and four assists versus St. John’s).