We’ve had a strong 2025 NCAA men’s lacrosse tournament so far, going 8-4 for +2.85 units. Let’s dive into my best bets for the four quarterfinal games and hopefully keep the momentum going.
Note: The odds presented below are those at the time when Hutton sends his picks out to DubClub subscribers and are subject to change. Subscribe to Hutton Jackson’s lacrosse picks on DubClub so you never miss out on the best odds for these picks. As soon as Hutton places a bet, you’ll immediately get a notification with both the pick and brief analysis. Picks are sent out at least 20 minutes in advance of articles published on Bet On Lacrosse.
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Richmond vs. No. 1 Cornell
 Richmond Moneyline/Spread | +370 / +4 |
 Cornell Moneyline/Spread | -600 / -4 |
| Total | 25.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 12 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPNU |
Odds via DraftKings
Top-seeded Cornell faces a Richmond team that has proved it can hang with the best teams in the nation. If you took my advice ahead of the tournament and bet Richmond to make the Final Four at +800 like I suggested, then you’re sitting pretty heading into this game with the Spiders no longer than +370 on the moneyline.
This game is a rematch from earlier in the season when the Spiders nearly pulled off the upset, leading Cornell for nearly 55 minutes and losing by just a goal. I expect another close game this time around despite how dominant the Big Red offense has been lately.
Cornell boasts the most efficient offense in the nation and is 10th in adjusted faceoff percentage. Yet, their defense has struggled at times, and their offense has masked some of their defensive issues. Cornell’s defense has an adjusted defensive efficiency percentage of 31% during competitive situations, which ranks 51st. They face a Richmond offense that ranks 8th in adjusted efficiency during competitive situations and was able to beat Cornell both off the dodge and with strong ball movement, finding the soft spots on the crease and from the wings.
I don’t think Richmond’s success against Cornell earlier this season was a fluke and expect them to give the Big Red another good fight. However, I do worry that Cornell could eventually pull away thanks to their offense’s ability to stack goals off consecutive faceoff wins, so rather than play the full game spread, I’m targeting the first half spread.
Cornell has led by three goals or more just twice in their seven games against tournament teams. They’ve even trailed at halftime in two of those games, including their earlier meeting with Richmond this year. Given Cornell’s tendency to start slow, I recommend betting a unit on Richmond +2.5 1st half at -105 and 0.25 unit on Richmond moneyline 1st half at +280 on DraftKings.
Additionally, I’m trusting Richmond to limit CJ Kirst enough to keep him under his points prop Last week, we cashed in on Kirst’s goals and shots on goals props by betting the over, but this week I’m betting the under on his points prop. Kirst has had plenty of big performances, but has only had seven or more points in six of 16 games this season. He finished with just four points in his last meeting with the Spiders and, with the exception of a few defensive breakdowns, was largely held in check as a playmaker. Expect Richmond to do all they can to lock him off and bet CJ Kirst Under 6.5 points at -130 on DraftKings.
Picks: Richmond +2.5 1st Half, Richmond ML 1st Half (0.25 unit), CJ Kirst Under 6.5 Points
No. 6 Syracuse vs. No. 3 Princeton
 Syracuse Moneyline/Spread | -115 / +1.5 |
 Princeton Moneyline/Spread | -115 / -1.5 |
| Total | 25 |
| Time | Saturday · 2:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPNU |
Odds via DraftKings
Syracuse faces Princeton in the second Saturday game and—on paper—this matchup couldn’t be tighter. Both teams rank Top 10 in adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency. Both teams also rank in the Top 6 in power play success, with Princeton’s extra man opportunity percentage of 57% ranking first.
Still, there are a few significant edges for each team. Syracuse has a noticeable edge at faceoffs, but they still almost lost to Harvard despite winning 86.2% of faceoffs and Princeton’s. Another overlooked aspect of this game could be penalties. As we mentioned, both units are efficient on the power play, but Syracuse has given up the sixth most extra-man opportunities. If they can’t stay disciplined on defense, Princeton could take advantage often.
I also haven’t been completely impressed with Syracuse’s ability to defend, getting beat 1-on-1 often off the dodge and getting exposed in the middle of the field. Jimmy McCool has masked a lot of their issues this season and Princeton could expose them if they’re not careful. I lean Princeton in this game for those reasons, but rather than betting a side or the total, I’m targeting a player prop.
Coulter Mackesy went fourth overall in the 2025 PLL Draft for a reason and has displayed the ability to score in a variety of ways for Princeton. He’s Marcus Holman-esque in his ability to find the gaps in opposing defenses and shoots the ball as good as anyone. This Syracuse defense will have its hands full defending Mackesy both as a dodger and shooter. Mackesy has had four or more points in 11 of 16 games and, even at -160, I like the odds for him to do so again against this Syracuse defense. Bet Coulter Mackesy Over 3.5 points at -160 on DraftKings.
Pick: Coulter Mackesy Over 3.5 Points
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Notre Dame vs. No. 5 Penn State
 Notre Dame Moneyline/Spread | -325 / -2.5 |
 Penn State Moneyline/Spread | +260 / +2.5 |
| Total | 21.5 |
| Time | Sunday · 12 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPNU |
Odds via BetMGM
Notre Dame takes on Penn State on Sunday and this is my favorite spot of the weekend. The Nittany Lions are a solid team, ranking in the Top 15 in adjusted offensive, defensive and faceoff efficiency. Yet, they are still outmatched against the defending champions.
Notre Dame ranks second in adjusted offensive efficiency according to Lacrosse Reference and, along with Cornell, is one of just two teams with a mark higher than 40%. The Irish also still have one of the best defense in the nation, ranking sixth in adjusted defensive efficiency, and their seasoned senior Wll Lynch leads a faceoff unit that ranks 5th in competitive situations—which is even better than Penn State’s 8th-ranked adjusted faceoff percentage.
Notre Dame has too much firepower on offense, and they’ve shown the ability to pull away from top opponents late in games (Ohio State last week, North Carolina, Duke, Michigan, etc). They do such a great job of wearing down defenses and working for the best shot. Multiple possessions against the Ohio State were well-defended by the Buckeyes, but Notre Dame’s patience, motion and ball movement still managed to find the holes late in the shot clock. The Irish should have similar success against the Nittany Lions.
Expect Notre Dame to punch their ticket to the Final Four for the third-straight season and cover the 2.5-point spread while doing so. I gave this pick out earlier in the week, but if you didn’t bet it yet, bet Notre Dame -2.5 at -130 on BetMGM.
I also like a player prop in this game. We’re going back to the well that was good to us last week and betting Jack Aimone Over 3.5 shots on goal at -105 on DraftKings. Aimone has had four or more shots on goal in 10 of 15 games, including last week against Colgate. I expect Penn State to scheme up ways to get him sweeping to the middle of the field, which is where he’s at his best. He puts 63% of his shots on goal and I expect him to get some quality looks, even if Thomas Ricciardelli ends up saving the majority of them.
Picks: Notre Dame -2.5, Jack Aimone Over 3.5 SOG
Georgetown vs. No. 2 Maryland
 Georgetown Moneyline/Spread | +260 / +2.5 |
 Maryland Moneyline/Spread | -325 / -2.5 |
| Total | 21.5 |
| Time | Sunday · 2:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPNU |
Odds via BetMGM
The Hoyas and Terps square off on Sunday with Maryland ranging between a 2.5 and 3-point favorite. I expect the Terps to prevail, but Georgetown has the roster to contend with Maryland and I think this spread is sharp. Instead, I’m targeting the total of 21.5.
Maryland hasn’t scored more than 14 goals all season and would rather grind out low-scoring wins. Only two Maryland games this season have had 22 or more total goals, and I think this matchup sets up for another low-scoring game. While Georgetown has played in plenty of high-scoring games, its offensive pace is much more in line with Maryland’s. The Terps play at the second-slowest pace on offense, while the Hoyas are 16th-slowest according to Lacrosse Reference.
The Maryland defense is the most efficient tournament team and is the only defense besides Army with an adjusted defensive efficiency rate of less than 20%. They’ve held all but Notre Dame, Ohio State and Michigan to single digits and are allowing an average of just 7.93 goals per game.
Georgetown’s defense has been strong this season as well, ranking 14th in adjusted defensive efficiency and holding their opponents to single digits in 10 of 16 games this season. This game has slugfest written all over it and I recommend betting accordingly. Bet this game to stay Under 21.5 at -115 on BetMGM.
Pick: Under 21.5
2025 College Lacrosse Season Best Bets: 48-39-1 for +9.78 units this season
All bets are to win 1 unit or more (i.e. 1.2 units at -120, 1 unit at +120) unless otherwise specified.
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