2010 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Quarterfinals: Whose Flow Reigns Supreme?

If you're new to the sport of lacrosse, it's imperative that you are brought up to speed on the concept of "flow."

Flow, in basic terms, is a lacrosse player's hair. However, to the seasoned lax bro or fan, it is much more.

Flow is a sense of being, an aura one emits. Flow is tangible, yet intangible at the same time. It is visible, yet we can't see it—we just feel it.

In short, flow is much more than a lacrosse player's hair, it is the vibe and energy their whole body and game emits.

It is one's appearance, confidence, skills, and of course, the pristine upkeep of their hair, all rolled into one package.

I could babble on, but I think I'll just show you pictures.

So without further adieu, here are the 10 players with the best flow, who will be showcasing their skills this weekend in the 2010 NCAA men's lacrosse tournament quarterfinals.

10. Jeremy Boltus, Att., Army

A little counter-intuitive, I know, considering I just gave you this long lecture on the importance of a player's hair, and here we start off the list with a kid who goes to a school where you're required to be buzzed—but I digress.

Boltus tallied 66 points this year for a breakout Army team that tore up the last half of its schedule.

Boltus led the Black Knights into the Carrier Dome and knocked off two-time defending champ Syracuse.

Next, Army turns its attention towards Cornell, who will be looking to get back to the Final Four for the second consecutive year.

Boltus may be rocking the fade, but defeating the Orange in double OT and going to a service academy at the same time?

That's flow, my friends.

9. Brian Farrell, LSM, Maryland

If Farrell's round face, soft eyes, and inviting smile made you let your guard down just a little, then it's already too late.

Farrell may look like a big teddy bear, but he's actually the country's premier transition long-stick middie.

Farrell can pick your pocket on defense and be halfway up the field in the flash, jump-starting a fast break.

The junior Tewaraaton nominee has six goals and six assists this season.

By the looks of those gorgeous brown locks, it's easy to see why he's on the list.

8. Mike Jarvis, Def., UNC

Mike Jarvis fits the bill for first-rate flow.

At a rangy 6'5" and 210 lbs, he's long, athletic, and rocks the powder blue to perfection.

Jarvis leads UNC's re-tooled defense into a heated clash against the Duke Blue Devils this weekend. Carolina's road to the Final Four will have to pass through their ACC counterpart first.

A lot of flow critics aren't a fan of the hair sprouting from the front vents as we see in this picture here.

If you have something to say to Mike and his six-foot titanium pole I'm sure he'd be glad to hear it.

7. Jordan McBride, Att., Stony Brook

Jordan McBride may play second fiddle to star midfielder Kevin Crowley on the upstart Stony Brook team, but that's only on the stat sheet.

In fact, McBride has only scored one less goal than the Tewaaraton finalist Crowley, and his hair is far more superior to that of his Canadian teammate's.

Here, we see McBride's trademark "wave" look, which maybe a bit unorthodox for the lax bros who are used to seeing the long, flowing curls sticking out the back of one's helmet.

However, if Stony Brook can dance past top-ranked Virginia this weekend, I'm sure no one will care how McBride's hair looks.

6. Steele Stanwick, Att., Virginia

UVA's much-applauded team helmet change from the atrocious Gait helmets to the more modern Cascade Pro7's have allowed the hair of sophomore stud Steele Stanwick to flourish this year.

Despite the switch in headgear, Stanwick's stellar play has not seen any changes.

The All-ACC attackman has tallied 26 goals and dished out 28 dimes in 2010.

Steele's game exudes confidence, and his wonderful execution of the classic Baltimore hairstyle scores him high marks in the flow department.

5. Ned Crotty, Att., Duke

Crotty is the latest prodigal son of a long and rich lineage of dominant attackmen at Duke this past decade.

The senior attackman has an uncanny scoring ability, and is more decorated with awards than a Christmas tree.

Crotty and those luscious brown locks will be squaring off against ACC foe North Carolina this weekend. They both need to be present this weekend, if the Blue Devils want to punch their ticket to Baltimore.

4. Ryan Hurley, Att., Cornell

If only Hurley's parents knew how long their trim, proper and Ivy League-educated son was keeping his hair!

However, I'd assume Hurley's folks already found out just how sweet his mane was, while watching him in the 2009 Final Four in Foxboro.

The Big Red swallowed a heartbreaking loss in OT at the hands of Syracuse, and with the Orange out this year, Hurley is looking to ensure that Cornell gets the last laugh.

The Army Black Knights already did the dirty work for Cornell this year, eliminating Cornell's Orange-clad rivals in the first round. I doubt Hurley and his Cornell teammates will be looking to thank The Corps in the quarterfinals.

3. Ken Clausen, Def., Virginia

Clausen's unruly hair has been a staple in college lacrosse for the past few years.

His wild mane is sometimes subject to to the criticisms of "overflow" (having too much hair) but frankly, the Downington, Pa., native is too scary to be told his hair is anything other than perfect.

The senior had another banner year for the Cavs, and the nation's top defenseman had the honor of recently being named a 2010 Tewaaraton finalist.

The accolades are nice, but top-ranked Virginia will be more keen to ride Clausen's play (and possibly his hair) all the way to the national championship.

However, if you'd like to tell him that winning the Tewaaraton is more important, be my guest...

2. Grant Catalino, Att., Maryland

Catalino's revered flow has set the new standard for the new-and-improved offense of the Maryland Terps.

The All-ACC attackman has cashed in a team-high 34 goals this year. Catalino's play has been heating up as the Terps eye a Final Four berth right in their home state of Maryland.

At 6'5" and 225 lbs, Catalino is an intimidating presence, however, his hair is simply a delight to behold.

Light and feathery, it's easy to see why Catalino is regarded as one of the best attackmen in the country, and is No. 2 on our list.

1. Billy Bitter, Att., UNC

The Long Island native is showing folks in the South how the game is played—and what great flow looks like.

Bitter is the most dynamic player in Division 1 lacrosse, and his flow is some of the sweetest to be behold nationwide.

Bitter embodies flow. He is an electric player who oozes swagger and has the hairstyle to match.

More simply put, he can break your ankles and look good doing it.

UNC faces ACC rival Duke this weekend, and this junior attackman would love nothing more than to propel his Tar Heels into the Final Four.