The NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse season continues with another loaded Saturday slate. For Week 3, I have bets on a short favorite and two totals in some pivotal meetings between ranked teams.
If you’re an avid bettor who’s new to lacrosse or a lacrosse fan who’s new to betting, check outmy guide on how to bet on lacrosse for some tips to use when placing a lacrosse bet.
Loyola Maryland (-1.5) vs. Rutgers
| Loyola Maryland Odds | -140 |
| Rutgers Odds | +120 |
| Total | 23.5 |
| Time | Saturday, 1 p.m. ET |
| TV | Big Ten + |
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook.
The first matchup I’m looking at is the sixth-ranked Loyola Greyhounds taking on the 14th-ranked Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Loyola enters as 1.5-point favorites against a Rutgers team seeking a bounce-back win after a close loss to Army last week.
While I think the Scarlet Knights’ 13-14 loss to Army last week says more about Army’s strengths than Rutgers' shortcomings, I don’t think they should be just 1.5-point underdogs against a Loyola team that was able to dispatch its Big Ten counterparts in Maryland by a score of 12-7.
Furthermore, Rutgers didn’t look all that impressive in an 11-7 win over Stony Brook two weeks ago either. While we should see this Rutgers defense play better, asking the Scarlet Knights to win this game or even cover will ultimately fall on the offense.
Unfortunately, for the Rutgers offense, they’ll face a Loyola defense that has looked extremely legitimate these past two weeks, holding opponents to an average of 7.5 goals. Luke Staudt’s 29 saves and 12 goals allowed have been the difference maker for this Greyhounds team, and I think they’ll be able to stifle Rutgers enough for their offense to build a respectable lead and cover the 1.5-point spread. Bet Loyola -1.5 (+105 on Caesars).
Pick: Loyola -1.5
North Carolina vs. Syracuse (-1.5)
| Syracuse Odds | -125 |
| North Carolina Odds | +105 |
| Total | 24.5 |
| Time | Saturday, 3 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook.
The second game I’m eyeing is an ACC showdown between 19h-ranked Syracuse and 12th-ranked North Carolina. Syracuse enters as a 1.5-point favorite, and the total sits at as high as 24.5 at Caesars.
Both teams saw a lot of roster turnover this offseason but have gotten off to fairly impressive starts despite this. While both dropped their first game of the season last week, their defenses have shown up in all of their games.
The Tar Heels have allowed an average of just six goals per game through three games, which ranks second-best in the nation. Collin Krieg has made 37 saves in those three games and is stopping 67.3% of the shots he’s faced.
Syracuse has seen equally stellar goalie play with Will Mark stopping 64.3% of shots and making 57 saves in four games. The Dave Pietramala-led Orange defense has also managed to hold opponents to an average of just 8.25 goals per game.
I expect this recently efficient Orange offense to come back to earth a bit and think this total is too high for these teams. Bet under 24.5 at -110 on Caesars.
Pick: Under 24.5
Ohio State vs. Virginia (-3.5)
| Virginia Odds | -350 |
| Ohio State Odds | +275 |
| Total | 27.5 |
| Time | Saturday, 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | Big Ten + |
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook.
Another game that I expect to be a defensive battle is the top-ranked Virginia Cavaliers against the also undefeated eighth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in Naples, Florida. While the opening total of 27.5 has moved to 26.5 at some sportsbooks, it is still available on Caesars at the time of publication.
Betting an under in a Virginia game may seem counterintuitive, considering the Cavaliers have put up 17 and 25 in their past two games. As a team, they have also allowed 34 goals in just two games.
Yet, don’t let last week’s final score of 25-21 fool you. UVA coasted in both games and gave up a lot of goals in garbage time. When starter Matthew Nunes is in net, the Cavaliers defense hasn’t allowed more than 13 goals, and Nunes has registered 25 saves through two games. While those aren’t stellar numbers, they’re solid considering the competition that UVA has faced so far in Michigan and Harvard.
On the flip side, the Cavaliers offense should have a much tougher time against this Ohio State defense that has allowed an average of just eight goals per game, including just five in last week’s matchup with UNC. Ohio State will give the Cavaliers their toughest test yet, and I expect the Ohio State offense to also have a below-average day against this UVA defense. Bet under 27.5 at -110 on Caesars.
Pick: Under 26.5
