We’re less than two days until the start of the NCAA First Round, which is by far the best weekend for Division 1 lacrosse. There’s a lot of rematches, looking like a lot of offensive explosions, and a little mix of some defense as well. All of these games will be televised on ESPNU
SATURDAY
Noon: Albany vs. #8 Cornell
By the end of Saturday to the beginning of Sunday, it looked like these two teams would play each other. The only question mark was who would host, which ended up being Cornell due to their head-to-head win in late February in Dallas in an ice storm. I can understand that, but Cornell also has a better résumé in my mind than Albany does. Either way, it’s going to be a great start to the weekend with a ton of fireworks. Pick: Albany (barely).
2:30 PM: Yale vs. #6 Maryland
Another rematch in Yale and Maryland, but this time, it’ll be played in College Park. Yale defeated the Terps in another early season meeting, with Charlie Raffa struggling at the face off “x.” Raffa’s status has improved since he was injured against Penn State and Johns Hopkins, and we saw him very late in their loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten semis. If Maryland can get him at 100% and automatic at the “x,” Maryland should win. But I don’t think that will happen, so guys such as Matt Rambo, Joe LoCascio, and Jay Carlson will have to step up big-time, as well as Maryland’s other face-off options. Pick: Maryland.
5:00 PM: Towson vs. #1 Notre Dame
Notre Dame getting the #1 overall seed was a huge surprise to many in the college lacrosse world. Syracuse’s RPI and SOS was higher than Notre Dame’s, but the tournament committee gave the Fighting Irish the top seed due to their 2OT victory against the Orange. As a member of the Cuse team, I’m not worried; look at the bottom half of the portion compared to the top. Anyway, the Irish bounced back from an early exit in the ACC Tournament to Duke with a beat down of Army last week. They should take care of Towson easily, although Tiger defenseman JoJo Ostrander has to play lights out against a scary Notre Dame attack. Pick: Notre Dame.
7:30 PM: Ohio State vs. #5 Duke
Ohio State managed to get into the tourney with an impressive final stretch in the Big Ten tournament, knocking off Maryland before losing to Johns Hopkins. The Buckeyes also had the best upset of the year against Denver, but had ugly losses to Rutgers and Detroit. Duke is probably the hottest team in college lacrosse right now, and could win a 3rd straight championship. Myles Jones is a freak, and guys like Jack Bruckner, Case Matheis, Kyle Rowe, and even freshman goalie Danny Fowler are playing top-notch lacrosse right now. Pick: Duke.
SUNDAY
1:00 PM: Johns Hopkins vs. #7 Virginia
The Sunday slate starts with another very interesting game, and a rematch! Virginia defeated the Blue Jays in OT in a thrilling game. The Wahoos also haven’t lost to anyone outside of the ACC this season, and have overcome many losses this season, from Tanner Scales, to Mick Parks, to James Pannell. If all three were on the team, they could be in the Final Four or maybe even in the Championship game. The Jays got hot at the right time, defeating Maryland to get the top seed in the Big Ten tournament, followed by wins against Penn State and Ohio State in dominant fashion. Are the Blue Jays, with a very young core, finally clicking? Can they find ways to get past Matt Barrett? We’ll find out Sunday. Pick: Virginia.
3:00 PM: Brown vs. #4 Denver
I’m not a fan of Denver staying on campus until possibly championship weekend. It’s a huge advantage to them for the first two games in this tournament. The Pios have the nation’s most efficient offense and have firepower all around, from Connor Cannizzaro, Zach Miller, Wesley Berg, Jack Bobzien, and let’s throw in freshman FOGO standout Trevor Baptiste to make this team a little more dangerous. Plus, you have Christian Burgdorf and goalie Ryan LaPlante at defense. Brown has Brendan Caputo, Dylan Molloy, Larken Kemp, and Jack Kelly to combat. It’s also one of the nation’s best offenses too. Over/under for the number of goals in this game is 32. I hope it’s over. Pick: Denver.
5:15 PM: Colgate vs. #3 North Carolina
Colgate played a great game last week at home against Syracuse and look like a threat entering the tournament. Jimmy Bitter and Joey Sankey will try to lead the Tar Heels to championship weekend for the first time in 22 years, and have a great chance of doing so. Ryan Walsh, Matt Clarkson, and Brandon Burke have to have a stellar game yet again if they want to stay in it with the Tar Heels, and I think they can. I think that Colgate can pull off this monumental upset, if things go right. Pick: North Carolina.
7:30 PM: Marist vs. #2 Syracuse
Nobody has talked about Marist at all this season, and they are 14-3 and the MAAC champions. They knocked off Bryant 10-6 last night in Poughkeepsie behind a balanced offense and stellar defense. They played Brown to an OT loss earlier in the season, which has a dominant offense, similar to what Syracuse has. But they also have a great defense and a guy at the face off “x” by the name of Ben Williams. If Williams dominates again, so will the Orange. Pick: Syracuse.
