By Nick Savage
Notre Dame 8-1 (+330)
Next game: vs. #14 North Carolina
Date: Saturday, Apr. 22
Duke 11-2 (+380)
Duke has had an impressive season so far, going from third to second in the country with a record of 11-2 and 360 total points. Duke’s most recent game against No.4-ranked Virginia was a nail-biter with Duke coming out on top, 15-14, with a last-second save by their goalie. The win solidified Duke’s position as one of the top teams in the nation and now prepares for its next game against No. 12 Syracuse on Apr. 29. With its strong performance this season, Duke’s odds to win the national championship are currently at +380, indicating a favorite to take home the title this year.
Maryland 8-3 (+650)
Maryland has been performing well this season, a win against Rutgers has solidified its position as No. 3 in the country. With a record of 8-3 and a total of 328 points so far, Maryland is now focused on the upcoming game against long-standing rival Johns Hopkins. Maryland has always been known for its strong defense and will need to continue playing at its best to come out on top against Johns Hopkins. The odds of winning the national championship are +650, which is a testament to the team’s talent and potential to make it to the top.
Virginia 8-3 (+380)
Virginia’s rollercoaster season has moved it to the No. 4 position in the country. Although its season reflects a current record of 8-3 and a total of 317 points, Virginia has had some recent setbacks, including this past weekend, suffering a narrow 15-14 loss against No. 2 Duke. Up next, Virginia will face Syracuse on Apr. 22, and can hopefully bounce back to secure a victory. With the odds of winning the national championship currently set at +380, Virginia will need to regain its momentum if it hopes to make a serious run at the title.
Penn State 8-3 (+1800)
Penn State continues to make a strong case for itself as fifth in the country. With a record of 8-3 and 298 total points, Penn State is proving to be a formidable opponent for any team it faces — this past weekend, Penn State secured a hard-fought 11-9 victory against Michigan, showing its ability to overcome adversity and come out on top. Looking ahead, Penn State will face Rutgers on Apr. 21. While the odds of winning the national championship currently stand at +1800, Penn State has shown that it’s capable of pulling off upsets and making a deep run in the tournament.
Rivarlies this weekend:
Johns Hopkins vs. Maryland:
The Maryland Terrapins and Johns Hopkins Blue Jays have a storied and intense rivalry in men’s lacrosse that spans over a century. The two teams first met in 1895 and have played over 100 times since then. Both teams have been powerhouses in the sport and have produced numerous All-Americans and National Championship titles. The rivalry is known as “The Rivalry” and is considered one of the most intense in all of college sports. Maryland leads the overall series with 73 wins to Hopkins’ 45, with 1 tie. The games between these two teams are always fiercely competitive and highly anticipated, with players and fans alike fully invested in the outcome.
Army vs. Navy:
Army vs Navy men’s lacrosse is one of the oldest and most celebrated rivalries in college lacrosse. The first Army-Navy lacrosse game was played in 1924, and since then, the two teams have faced off against each other every year except for a brief hiatus during World War II. The Army-Navy game is highly anticipated every season, with both teams coming into the game with a fierce desire to win. The games are often close and hard-fought, with the outcome frequently coming down to the wire. The rivalry extends beyond the field, as Army and Navy are two of the most prestigious military academies in the world and have a long-standing tradition of competing against each other in a variety of sports.
Syracuse vs. Virginia:
Syracuse vs Virginia men’s lacrosse is one of the most intense and historic rivalries in college lacrosse. The two teams have faced each other over 36 times, and each game is a highly anticipated event for lacrosse fans. This rivalry has produced some of the greatest moments in college lacrosse history, with close games and high-scoring battles between the two teams. One of the most famous games between the two was in the 2009 National Championship game, where Syracuse came back from a 6-goal deficit to win the game in overtime. This rivalry has created a sense of mutual respect between the two programs and has been a staple of the college lacrosse landscape for many years.
Ohio State vs. Michigan:
The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines have a long-standing rivalry in college sports, including men’s lacrosse. These two teams have been competing against each other for more than 80 years in various sports, with their rivalry dating back to 1897. The rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan is considered one of the greatest in college sports, and their men’s lacrosse games are always highly anticipated events. Fans from both sides pack the stadium to cheer on their team, and the atmosphere is always electric. The intensity of the rivalry has only increased in recent years as both teams have become more competitive on the national stage, making their games even more exciting to watch.
Photo credit: Shutterstock
