Weekend One-Liners: What to Watch for in Men's Lacrosse

Fri Mar 3 2023 | Matt DaSilva | College
College Men Notre Dame Maryland

PHOTO BY DANI MEERSMAN

Chris Kavanagh (50) and No. 2 Notre Dame take on Ajax Zappitello (36) and No. 4 Maryland in College Park on Saturday.

The Big Ten Network will be buzzing Saturday with a pair of top-10 nonconference showdowns — No. 3 Cornell at No. 8 Ohio State at noon and No. 2 Notre Dame at No. 4 Maryland at 1 p.m.

But those are far from the only appetizing matchups on the slate. Here’s one sentence each on a dozen games to tune into this weekend.

All times Eastern.

TV LISTINGS | NIKE/USA LACROSSE TOP 20

No. 12 Yale (1-1) at UMass (2-1) – Friday 1 p.m. (ESPN+)

A Friday matinee with upset potential to start your weekend college lacrosse binge watching.

Denver (2-2) at No. 9 North Carolina (3-1) – Saturday 11 a.m. (ACCNX)

Brown transfer Andrew Geppert has helped stabilize the Tar Heels’ defense, evidenced by their No. 2 ranking in adjusted defensive efficiency per Lacrosse Reference.

No. 3 Cornell (3-0) at No. 8 Ohio State (3-1) – Saturday 12 p.m. (BTN+)

If it materializes, CJ Kirst vs. Bobby Van Buren is a must-see matchup, considering the hype BVB is generating early in the season and CJ’s continued ascent.

Michigan (2-2) at No. 19 Delaware (3-1) – Saturday 12 p.m. (FloSports)

With Tye Kurtz and JP Ward (22 points apiece) in peak form, imagine how good the Blue Hens’ offense will be if/when Mike Robinson (missed last two games due to injury) returns to the lineup.

Towson (1-3) at UMBC (3-0) – Saturday 12 p.m. (AETV)

The unbeaten Retrievers currently sport the nation’s No. 1 scoring defense (5.6 goals allowed per game) and take excellent care of the ball (12.33 turnovers per game), a sound recipe for sustained success.

UPSET WATCH

Georgetown (0-3) at No. 6 Princeton (2-1) – Saturday 1 p.m. (ESPN+)

The Hoyas have been the biggest disappointment of the young 2023 season, struggling to integrate transfers while working under a new offensive coordinator, but there’s still game-breaking talent at every level of the field.

GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 2 Notre Dame (3-0) at No. 4 Maryland (3-1) – Saturday 1 p.m. (BTN+)

Swiss Army-knife Brian Tevlin (one goal, six ground balls and a caused turnover against Georgetown) might be the most underrated transfer since the advent of the portal, having an impact in all three phases for a Fighting Irish team that comes to College Park with all the momentum.

No. 15 Saint Joseph’s (3-0) at No. 18 Johns Hopkins (3-2) – Saturday 2 p.m. (ESPN+)

We want more…possessions if Hawks faceoff ace Zach Cole (77.2 percent) keeps operating at this pace.

No. 10 Penn (1-1) at No. 19 Penn State (3-1) – Saturday 3 p.m. (BTN+)

The resurgent Nittany Lions have already matched last year’s win total.

Richmond (3-1) at No. 1 Virginia (3-0) – Saturday 6 p.m. (ACCNX)

UVA is giving off 2022 Maryland vibes with the way they’re sharing the ball (49 of 59 goals assisted), finishing the rock (43.4% shooting percentage) and refusing to settle for anything less than the highest-quality opportunities from its superb front six.

High Point (4-1) vs. No. 13 Jacksonville (2-1) (in Charlotte, N.C.) – Saturday 6:30 p.m. (CSE)

The former SoCon rivals renew pleasantries in the Crown Lacrosse Classic, with both teams ranking in the top five in caused turnovers per game.

No. 5 Duke (4-1) at Syracuse (3-2) – Sunday 4 p.m. (ACCNX)

Brennan O’Neill and Joey Spallina share the field for the first time since they were teammates with Team 91 club.