The 2025 NCAA men’s lacrosse season culminates on Monday and I have a pair of props in addition to the bet on the total I sent to DubClub subscribers on Saturday evening. Our best bets this tournament are 14-9 for +2.85 units and our overall record is 54-44-1 for +9.77 units. Let’s finish the season with some wins!
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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No. 2 Maryland vs. No. 1 Cornell
 Maryland Moneyline/Spread | +114 / +1.5 |
 Cornell Moneyline/Spread | -145 / -1.5 |
| Total | 22.5 |
| Time | Monday · 1 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Odds via DraftKings
In a year where it felt like there were several college lacrosse teams with a legitimate chance at winning the championship, it’s ironic we’re getting the first No.1 vs. No. 2 seed final in 20 years. The title game features a clash of conflicting styles as the nation’s most efficient offense (Cornell) faces the most efficient defense (Maryland).
DubClub subscribers and I bet Under 23.5 when it opened on DraftKings, but unfortunately, it moved quickly and there are currently only 22.5s on the market. I still lean under, but 23/23.5 was key given its protection from a potential 12-11 overtime finish. Instead of betting 22.5, I’d try to bet a live under following a potential quick start. I think both teams will play a more methodical style and will be less inclined to push the tempo in this game overall, but we’ve seen both teams get off to fast starts before bringing the game to a snail’s pace in the second half. Cornell plays at a moderate pace, but I expect them to be forced into playing a bit slower and using the length of the shot clock to break this Terps defense. Meanwhile, Maryland’s offense plays at the third-slowest pace and, while they’ve been more efficient than most realize, they’ll be looking to control the clock as much as possible.
Another angle, if you think this game will be low-scoring due to Maryland’s defense, is to just to bet the Terps on the spread or moneyline. I lean Terps in this game but am staying away from the side since I am sitting on futures for both teams that I gave out in the preseason, midseason and right before the tournament.
Here are the reasons I like Maryland to end the season on top: The Terps defense has held all but three opponents to single digits this year and are averaging 7.81 goals against per game. Their 19% adjusted defensive efficiency mark is the best in the country. They already held the second-most efficient offense in Notre Dame to 10 goals and have the defense to limit Cornell.
Cornell’s leading scorer CJ Kirst was already held off the score sheet entirely by another Big Ten defense on Saturday. The Big Red offense is deep enough to overcome this kind of day from Kirst, but Maryland will be their toughest test yet. They’ll need to really wear this defense down with long possessions and work for high-quality shots like they did in both of their wins against Richmond and Penn State.
I’m also still not completely sold on the Big Red defense. Knust has had a pedestrian tournament, and even though he made a handful of key saves on Saturday, his defense puts him in bad spots with plenty of opposing shots on top of the crease. The Terps are as good as any team at wearing defenses down and burying high-percentage looks late in the shot clock. Ultimately, I think the Terps edge out the Big Red in a game I still expect to be decided by only a few goals.
As for my other best bets, I’m targeting the player prop market.
CJ Kirst is currently the best player in the country and I don’t enjoy betting his unders, but even with his points prop dropping to 5.5 on DraftKings, I still think it’s too high a mark against this Maryland defense. He was held under this mark in the four games against Top 10 defenses (both games against Richmond and Penn State) and facing the best defense after a grueling season is not the best recipe for a six-point performance. At +105 on DraftKings, I recommend betting CJ Kirst Under 5.5 points.
I’m also betting Maryland goaltender Logan McNaney Over 10.5 saves at -114 on FanDuel. As good as Cornell’s offense is, I expect McNaney to make plenty of stops. Cornell currently ranks third with a 71% shots on goal percentage, so the shot volume McNaney will face should be high. Maryland also does a great job of forcing outside shots that McNaney is comfortable saving.
McNaney has faced teams with a Top 20 shots on goal percentage 13 times this season and has recorded 11 or more saves in seven of those games. For games against teams in the Top 10 (68.4% or higher shots on goal percentage), he’s gone over this mark in five of eight games. McNaney has also recorded 11 or more saves in 10 of 13 tournament games where he appeared in 57 minutes or more. Expect McNaney to make plenty of saves once again on Memorial Day.
Picks: CJ Kirst Under 5.5 Points, Logan McNaney Over 10.5 Saves
2025 College Lacrosse Season Best Bets: 54-44-1 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.
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!
Use code “Lax10” to get 10% off your Streaker Sports order!
