2023 NCAA Lacrosse Championship Odds and Predictions

Big things are in store for the upcoming season of college Lacrosse. Conference realignments will soon take effect, and things could look a lot different in 2023. We also know that plenty of collegiate players have entered the transfer portal and taken their talents to different schools.

With everything that’s happening, I want to share my 2023 NCAA Lacrosse predictions. I talk about my preseason favorites and determine their chances of competing on Memorial Day. Of course, I’ve included the latest NCAA Lacrosse 2023 odds and a recommended betting pick to the article.

2023 NCAA Lacrosse Championship Betting Odds

Maryland; +450
Notre Dame; +675
Virginia; +675
Georgetown; +900
Duke; +1000
Cornell; +1000
Yale; +1800
Syracuse; +1800
Princeton; +1800
Pennsylvania; +2000

The early 2023 NCAA Lacrosse odds highlight Maryland as the top contender this season. The Terrapins are also the defending National Champions, having defeated Cornell in last year’s Division I title game after finishing the 2022 season with a perfect 18-0 record.

Notre Dame shares the same odds as Virginia right after Maryland. Both teams will compete in the ACC, which is arguably the most dominant conference in men’s college lacrosse. The Cavaliers have also won two of the previous three men’s Division I titles.

NCAA Lacrosse 2023 Top Favorites

Let’s begin with my analysis of the top contenders in the 2023 NCAA Lacrosse Championship betting odds. These teams have the most talented rosters from top to bottom.

Here are the pre-season favorites who are most likely to go all the way in the upcoming campaign.

Maryland Terrapins

2022 Record: 18-0
Head Coach: John Tillman
Key Player: Luke Wierman

The reigning champions will try to run it back and defend their title. Maryland should be a solid team again in 2023 and remain competitive. However, the Terrapins lost several key players, including Logan Wisnauskas, Keegan Khan, Anthony DeMaio, and Jonathan Donville.

The good news is that Maryland retains Luke Wierman, who’s one of the best faceoff players in men’s college lacrosse. The defense is also anchored by two of the best players in the country – Ajax Zappitello and Brett Makar.

The roster is slightly weaker compared to last year, but it’s still among the best in the country.

Virginia Cavaliers

2022 Record: 12-4
Head Coach: Lars Tiffany
Key Player: Connor Shellenberger

2023 could be the year in which Virginia returns to championship form. The team returns most of its roster from 2022, including top-tier attackman Connor Shellenberger. When betting on the NCAA Lacrosse Championship, the Cavaliers are a team you can never overlook.

The defense for Virginia will feature Cole Kastner and Petey LaSalla, who’re also talented players. Midfield transfer Thomas McConvey should be a major contributor as well, adding even more depth to the roster.

The Cavaliers are arguably the most experienced and talented in men’s Division I lacrosse. You could even say that they’re a step ahead of Maryland at the moment. Furthermore, falling short of a third consecutive championship should provide Virginia with extra motivation in 2023.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

2022 Record: 8-4
Head Coach: Kevin Corrigan
Key Player: Pat Kavanagh

I also have to talk about Notre Dame before I share my 2023 NCAA Lacrosse predictions. The Fighting Irish are seemingly in the mix every year but have yet to win a men’s Division I title. Perhaps 2023 is the year in which they can finally make it happen.

It’s safe to say that the Fighting Irish have unfinished business from 2022. The team got off to a slow start, losing four of their first six games. Notre Dame would then rifle off six consecutive victories to end the season, including wins over Duke and Syracuse.

Failing to qualify for the 2022 NCAA Tournament could propel Notre Dame to greater success in 2023. The Fighting Irish will be eager to get back to Championship Weekend for the first time since 2015. The attacking duo of Pat and Chris Kavanagh also makes them a true contender.

Georgetown Hoyas

2022 Record: 15-2
Head Coach: Kevin Warne
Key Player: Will Bowen

Georgetown is also no slouch when it comes to men’s Division I lacrosse. The roster returns several key contributors from 2022, which includes the reigning Schmeisser winner Will Bowen. Also, the addition of Tucker Dordevic via the transfer portal gives Georgetown an extra offensive weapon.

I really like Georgetown because the roster features a lot of talent overall. Last year ended prematurely when the Hoyas were eliminated during the first round of the NCAA Tournament. However, this squad still has a ton of promise entering 2023.

Duke Blue Devils

2022 Record: 11-6
Head Coach: John Danowski
Key Player: Dyson Williams

I’m a little wary about the Duke Blue Devils. The roster is pretty darn good, but living up to the expectations in 2023 will be a tough challenge. Duke lost six games in 2022 and failed to make the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2006.

The team certainly isn’t lacking any talent. However, the biggest weakness right now is the defense, after goalkeeper Mike Adler graduated. The Blue Devils must rearrange a few pieces, but overall, I still expect big things from Duke in 2023.

Yale Bulldogs

2022 Record: 12-5
Head Coach: Andy Shay
Key Player: Matt Brandau

Yale had a pretty young team in 2022 but still managed to deliver a strong season. Now, those players have more experience, and the team should be better in 2023. The Bulldogs have one of the best sophomore trios in Leo Johnson, Brad Sharp, and Chris Lyons.

Matt Brandau is also a player you need to follow as we enter the new season. He was responsible for 99 points last season, which is pretty darn amazing. Brandau was also a finalist for the Tewaaraton award in 2022.

This might be the best sleeper available and the NCAA Lacrosse Championship odds for the Bulldogs in 2023 are very tempting.

2023 NCAA Lacrosse Championship Predictions and Betting Pick

History is often very reliable in terms of forecasting future champions. That’s why I’m choosing Virginia with my 2023 NCAA Lacrosse Championship prediction. The Cavaliers have seven Division I titles and could easily capture another one in 2023.

I also want to mention that Virginia has eight players that were named preseason All-Americans. No other team had more than six selections. Virginia was also recently voted the No. 1-ranked team in the nation by Inside Lacrosse in January.

This is the best roster out there and the odds of +675 are simply too good to miss. If you’re looking for sleepers, a small wager on the Bulldogs makes a lot of sense too, but backing Virginia is my main betting pick.