We have a loaded college lacrosse slate on deck with the Ivy League joining the rest of the teams in NCAA Lacrosse Week 2. Let’s take a look at my best bets for four games in particular.
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.
VMI at MERCER
 VMI Moneyline/Spread | -150 / -1.5 |
 Mercer Moneyline/Spread | +125 / +1.5 |
| Total | 23.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 12 p.m. ET |
| TV | N/A |
Odds via BetMGM
We’re going back to the VMI well this week in another spot where I think VMI is undervalued. While the Keydets have rightly moved to -3.5 at most sportsbooks, BetMGM is still offering VMI -1.5 at +100.
VMI narrowly lost to High Point last week and the continuity of their roster has allowed them to have early success. According to Lacrosse Reference, their offense currently ranks ninth in adjusted offensive efficiency excluding garbage time. Meanwhile, Mercer is coming off a 2024 season where they ranked 71st in offensive efficiency and 57th in defensive efficiency.
Mercer faceoff specialist Christopher Cappelmann has had some early success, but against some fairly weak opponents. I think he and this Mercer faceoff unit, which faced off below 50% last year, will see some regression and Mercer should struggle to make the most of any extra possessions they are able to generate.
This is another great spot to bet two units on VMI -1.5 against an inferior opponent.
Pick: VMI -1.5
Johns Hopkins at Loyola (Md)
 Johns Hopkins Moneyline/Spread | -1000 / -4.5 |
 Loyola (Md) Moneyline/Spread | +610 / +4.5 |
| Total | 21.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 12 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via FanDuel
Loyola pushed Maryland to its limit, losing in overtime last week. Yet, I don’t think they’ll be able to replicate their success against Hopkins. While the Greyhounds defense played well, Maryland still generated some great chances in the middle of the field, but failed to get a shot on goal on several occasions. The Blue Jays rank 16th in offensive efficiency and should be able to spread out this Loyola defense and generate quality scoring chances. Loyola goalie Max Watkinson has played well enough, but I think this Hopkins offense will be much harder to keep in check.
Meanwhile, former Loyola goaltender Luke Staudt will be in net for the Blue Jays and has anchored a Hopkins defense that ranks 13th in adjusted defensive efficiency excluding garbage time, allowing goals on just 21.7% of their defensive possessions according to Lacrosse Reference. The Greyhounds have also struggled at the faceoff dot and should have a tough time against Hopkins’ Logan Callahan, who is facing off at above 60% so far this season.
Expect the Blue Jays to win by a decent margin and bet Johns Hopkins -4.5 at -110 on FanDuel.
Pick: Johns Hopkins -4.5
Syracuse at Maryland
 Syracuse Moneyline/Spread | -290 / -3.5 |
 Maryland Moneyline/Spread | +225 / +3.5 |
| Total | 23.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 2 p.m. ET |
| TV | Big Ten+ |
Odds via FanDuel
If you subscribe to my lacrosse picks on DubClub, you were hopefully able to grab Syracuse -2 when this line opened. If not, I still think the Orange have value at -3.5 against Maryland.
Last week, Loyola was able to have moderate success against the Terps defense by being opportunistic in transition and scoring settled goals through off-ball movement and crisp passing. The Orange offense do all those things at an even higher level and should keep this Maryland defense on its heels all day. While the Terps defense is strong again this year, the Orange had success against a slightly better unit last season and returns most of their key offensive pieces.
However, the biggest edge for Cuse comes on the other end, with their defense currently ranking first in adjusted defensive efficiency excluding garbage time, allowing goals on just 15.2% of defensive possessions according to Lacrosse Reference. The Orange defense has put the clamp on opposing offenses so far this season and Maryland’s been turnover prone so far this season. Syracuse can not only get stops, but could turn those into transition offense the other way and make it a long day for the Terps.
Bet Syracuse -3.5 at +108 on FanDuel.
Pick: Syracuse -3.5
Fairfield at Brown
 Fairfield Moneyline/Spread | +170 / +1.5 |
 Brown Moneyline/Spread | -220 / -1.5 |
| Total | 23.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via bet365
The Fairfield Stags upset Lehigh to start the season and I think another surprise win could be coming this weekend. Fairfield takes on a Brown team making its season debut in Head Coach Jon Torpey’s first season at the helm.
While Torpey will hopefully be able to give this Brown offense a makeover, the Bears are coming off a season where they ranked 62nd in adjusted offensive efficiency according to Lacrosse Reference and scored on just 24.1% of their possessions.
Fairfield appeared to be much improved and their defense delivered a strong performance in their season opener against lehigh, holding them to just seven goals and holding the Mountain Hawks scoreless on 81.6% of the possessions.
I like backing the Stags as underdogs in Brown’s first game of the season and recommend betting a half unit on Fairfield +1.5 at +120 and a half unit on Fairfield moneyline at +170 on bet365.
Picks: Fairfield +1.5 (0.5 unit), Fairfield ML (0.5 unit)
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!
