College Lacrosse Betting Picks and Predictions: NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Tournament Futures and Opening Round Saturday Best Bets

Richmond at No. 8 North Carolina

Richmond Moneyline/Spread	+124 / +1.5
North Carolina Moneyline/Spread	-160 / -1.5
Total	23
Time	Saturday · 12 p.m. ET
TV	ESPNU

^{Odds via DraftKings}

We start down south with a battle between No. 8 North Carolina and Richmond. This is the game I’m looking forward to the most, but the oddsmakers did a great job setting this line in my opinion. 

You could have bet the Spiders at +2 when this line opened, but it quickly moved to 1.5. I’ll be pulling for Richmond, given that in the Fall I predicted they’d win the Atlantic 10 and their first NCAA Tournament game. I think they can hang with a UNC team that is banged up on the offensive end. Yet, the Tar Heels should have a significant advantage at the faceoff, and if there’s any value at all on the spread, I actually think it’s on UNC (but not enough to bet it).

I’m also passing on the total that ranges from 22.5 to 23.5. I lean towards the over given the pace these teams play at, how efficient they’ve been on offense and UNC’s recent defensive struggles. Yet, I can’t ignore how well both defenses have played at times this season and the goalie battle between Michael Gianforcaro and Zach Vigue should be excellent. Instead, I’m targeting a shots on goal prop.

Dominic Pietramala has recorded five or more shots on goal in just six of 14 games, but his shot volume and a potential possession advantage for the Tar Heels makes me like the over even at -140. I expect this game to be close, and he had six or more shots on goal in five of six games decided by five or fewer goals this year, averaging 6.67 shots on goal in those contests. I expect him to come out firing and recommend betting Dominic Pietramala Over 4.5 Shots on Goal at -140 on DraftKings.

Pick: Dominic Pietramala Over 4.5 SOG

Towson at No. 3 Princeton

Towson Moneyline/Spread	+480 / +5.5
Princeton Moneyline/Spread	-850 / -5.5
Total	24
Time	Saturday · 2:30 p.m. ET
TV	ESPNU

^{Odds via DraftKings}

A battle between Tigers commences on Saturday afternoon, and I expect Princeton to take care of business. Princeton’s offense ranks fourth in adjusted offensive efficiency and 10th in adjusted defensive efficiency, according to Lacrosse Reference. Poor faceoff play has plagued them most of the season, but the faceoff battle should be even on Saturday. 

They’re facing a Towson offense that ranks 21st and a defense that ranks 44th. Three of Towson’s five losses this season have come against teams that rank in the top 15 in either adjusted offensive or defensive efficiency and their average goal differential in those games was seven goals. The most comparable team to Princeton that they faced was Syracuse and the Orange beat them 18-7. 

Trust the orange Tigers in this matchup and bet Princeton -5.5 at -115 on DraftKings.

Pick: Princeton -5.5

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Colgate at No. 5 Penn State

Colgate Moneyline/Spread	+320 / +3.5
Penn State Moneyline/Spread	-485 / -3.5
Total	24.5
Time	Saturday · 5 p.m. ET
TV	ESPNU

^{Odds via DraftKings}

Colgate vs. Penn State is a rematch from earlier in the year and, much like UNC-Richmond, I think this line is fairly sharp. The total is a bit high considering Penn State’s defense, but their offense has the ability to put up points and Colgate ranks 13th in offensive efficiency and 3rd in offensive pace, according to Lacrosse Reference. Instead, I’ll be targeting another shots on goal prop.

Rutgers transfer Jack Aimone has been a big part of this Penn State offense. His shots on goal percentage is 63% and he’s had four or more shots on goal in nine of 14 games this season, including the season-opener against Colgate. Bet Jack Aimone to go Over 3.5 Shots on Goal at -120 on DraftKings.

Pick: Jack Aimone Over 3.5 SOG

Georgetown at No. 7 Duke

Georgetown Moneyline/Spread	+210 / +2.5
Duke Moneyline/Spread	-280 / -2.5
Total	21.5
Time	Saturday · 7:30 p.m. ET
TV	ESPNU

^{Odds via DraftKings}

The final Saturday game features the Hoyas travelling to face the Blue Devils. This spread has bounced back and forth between 1.5 and 2.5 with that range of numbers still available depending on the sportsbook. I think Duke comes away with the win and potentially the cover, but I’d rather back the Blue Devils to keep the Hoyas’ best player in check rather than take them on the spread or bet the total.

Aidan Carroll has had some big performances this season, but they’ve mostly been against lower-tier programs. He’s had five or more points in just six of 15 games. He didn’t have more than four points against a defense that ranks in the Top 20 in adjusted defensive efficiency on Lacrosse Reference, and his average point total in those four games was 2.75. Duke’s fifth-ranked defense will be the best he’s faced all season.

Even though it’s juiced at -150, this line is a point too high in my opinion. Bet Aidan Carroll to stay Under 4.5 points at -150 on DraftKings.

Pick: Aidan Carroll Under 4.5 Points

2025 College Lacrosse Season Best Bets: 42-36-1 for +8.73 units
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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