Just one week remains before the start of many college lacrosse conference tournaments. With dozens of conference matchups to choose from, I’ve targeted four games in particular.
Let’s take a look at which three totals and side I’m betting on Saturday with my NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Week 11 best bets.
If you’re an avid bettor who’s new to lacrosse or a lacrosse fan who’s new to betting, check out my guide on how to bet on lacrosse for some tips to use when placing a lacrosse bet.
Lehigh vs. No. 20 Boston University
| Lehigh (+3) | Moneyline (+265) |
| Boston U (-3) | Moneyline (-385) |
| Total | 24 |
| Time | Saturday · 12 p.m. ET |
| TV | CBS Sports Network |
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
We start in the Patriot League with a battle between Boston University and Lehigh. Boston is a 3-point favorite despite losing to Lafayette last week, and Lehigh is coming of a big upset over Colgate.
Rather than bet the spread, I’m targeting the total of 24.
The Terriers rank 10th in defensive efficiency during competitive situations, according to Lacrosse Reference, and the Mountain Hawks also rank above average in that category at 27th. Boston is also fairly efficient on offense but has had a possession disadvantage in half of its games due to a 48th-ranked faceoff unit. Meanwhile, Lehigh ranks 54th in adjusted offensive efficiency and has scored more than 12 goals just once this season, averaging just 10.25 goals per game.
Lehigh’s pace of play paired with its expected possession advantage also suggests this matchup could be low-scoring. Lehigh plays at the ninth-slowest pace in the nation, and even the normally quick Boston offense could look to slow down the game down. Only one of Boston’s six games when the team had a possession disadvantage has surpassed 24 goals.
Bet this game to stay under 24 at -120 on DraftKings.
Pick: Under 24
Binghamton vs. Bryant
| Binghamton (+2.5) | Moneyline (+220) |
| Bryant (-2.5) | Moneyline (-298) |
| Total | 24.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 12 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
The next game I’m targeting is in the America East conference with Binghamton hosting Bryant. The Bulldogs are 2.5-point favorites, and I expect them to cover in a good sell-high spot on Binghamton. The Bearcats are on a four-game winning streak and have enjoyed significant possession advantages in their last three games. They won’t have that luxury against Bryant and its sixth-ranked faceoff unit.
Meanwhile, Bryant’s Nathan Laliberte had an off game by his standards, going only 50% at the faceoff last week against Vermont. Last year, Laliberte dominated Binghamton’s Ross Chazanow and also added two goals in a 14-10 win over the Bearcats. I expect a similar result this year.
Bryant ranks 38th and 49th in adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency, respectively – both better than Binghamton’s 55th and 54th respective ranks. Ultimately, the Bulldogs match up well against the Bearcats and should be able to win by margin.
Bet Bryant -2.5 at -115 on DraftKings.
Pick: Bryant -2.5
No. 4 Virginia vs. No. 6 Syracuse
| Virginia (-1.5) | Moneyline (-165) |
| Syracuse (+1.5) | Moneyline (+130) |
| Total | 26.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 2 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPNU |
Odds via BetMGM Sportsbook
A pivotal ACC showdown between the Cavaliers and Orange occurs on Saturday afternoon. Virginia is a slight favorite, but the total of 26.5 is what I’m targeting in this game.
Both teams play extremely fast with Virginia ranking second overall in pace and Syracuse ranking 14th. Both offenses are also extremely efficient with the Cavaliers ranking fourth in adjusted offensive efficiency during competitive situations and the Orange ranking sixth, according to Lacrosse Reference.
Now, neither defense is bad either, both ranking in the top 15 in adjusted defensive efficiency. But they are both prone to giving up a high amount of shots on goal. I also expect both teams to try to turn any defensive stops into transition offense. This game will likely be a track meet from start to finish, and 26.5 is just a few goals too low for a matchup that could produce 30 combined goals easily.
Bet this game to surpass 26.5 at -125 on BetMGM.
Pick: Over 26.5
No. 17 Princeton vs. No. 13 Penn
| Princeton (+1.5) | Moneyline (+104) |
| Penn (-1.5) | Moneyline (-128) |
| Total | 22.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 5 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via FanDuel
The final game I’m targeting is in the Ivy League with what should be a slugfest between Princeton and Penn. The total is 22.5 for this meeting, but I’m not sure that’s low enough for these two teams.
Of Penn’s 12 games this season, 10 have stayed under this number. This has largely been due to the Quakers defense, which ranks eighth in adjusted defensive efficiency during competitive situations, and eighth-slowest pace on offense. Princeton has had six of its 11 games stay under this number but boasts an equally efficient defense, ranking 13th in adjusted defensive efficiency during competitive situations, according to Lacrosse Reference.
The Tigers offense is slightly more efficient than Penn’s, but with faceoffs expected to be fairly even could get caught playing at a slower pace as well. Ultimately, defense should prevail, and at least one if not both teams should stay in the single digits.
Bet this game to stay under 22.5 at -128 on FanDuel.
Pick: Under 22.5
