1/13/00 – Already picked by the coaches to repeat as CCLA champions in 2000, the University of Michigan men’s lacrosse team placed 7^th in the USLIA Preseason Poll. This is the highest preseason ranking ever for head coach John Paul’s squad. "We’ve come a long way in the last couple of years in terms of national respect," said Paul. "Now we have to go out and prove that we belong among the elite teams."

The Wolverines will have plenty of chances to prove themselves this season as they face 7 of the top 11 teams (#2 Sonoma State, #4 Brigham Young, #5 California, #6 Tennessee, #8 Virginia Tech, #10 Illinois and #11 Arizona), along with two other ranked opponents (#19 Stanford and #25 Indiana). In addition, Michigan will face 1999 NCLL National Champion Penn State as well as Division II varsity Northwood. The 2000 schedule also features much anticipated match-ups with conference rival Michigan State on April 19 and a game against a strong Georgia Tech team to be played on neutral ground in Baltimore at Johns Hopkins University.

"We’re certainly not ducking anybody this year," said Paul. "We’ll either get a lot stronger from this schedule heading into tournament time, or we’ll take some licks that hurt us. I’m pretty confident in our leadership this year. The guys are really excited for the season to get started."