✍️ NCAA ROUND 1 PREDICTIONS

Our favorite time of year? March MAY Madness.

The 2023 NCAA Tournament is already underway, with Delaware defeating Marist, 25-10, in the play-in game on Wednesday night.

With the win, the Blue Hens now advance to play top-seeded Duke in Round 1. That matchup will be held on Sunday at Koskinen Stadium (Durham, N.C.).

For more information on Duke-Delaware and the seven other matchups in the Men’s Division I tournament, keep scrolling through this newsletter.

💥 Richmond at (2) Virginia

When: Saturday, 12 p.m. ET
Watch: (ESPNU)

These intrastate opponents are only separated by 72 miles of I-64. They met once already this season, with Virginia (11-3) winning handily, 25-8. But don’t let that outcome fool you. Richmond (11-4) upset the Cavaliers in the regular season last year and went on to make the NCAA Tournament, where they lost in overtime to Penn. Do the Spiders have the firepower to give the Hoos a scare?

Prediction: Virginia 19, Richmond 12

💥 Utah at (3) Notre Dame

When: Saturday, 2:30 p.m. ET
Watch: (ESPNU)

This game should be high-scoring. Utah (16.69 goals/game) has the second highest scoring offense in D1, while Notre Dame (15.83 goals/game) ranks third in that category. The Fighting Irish (10-2) only have two losses this season, and they both came against Virginia. The Utes (12-4) are a fun team to watch and will be a formidable first-round opponent, but it’s hard to imagine them upsetting a squad as strong as Notre Dame.

Prediction: Notre Dame 17, Utah 13

💥 Yale at (7) Georgetown

When: Saturday, 5 p.m. ET
Watch: (ESPNU)

A month or two ago, both of these teams had serious question marks. Most of those questions have since been answered. Georgetown (12-3) is riding a 12-game winning streak after starting the season 0-3, and Yale (9-5) took down top-seeded Cornell after edging out Harvard for the final spot in the Ivy League Tournament. Both teams deserve to be here, but the Hoyas are a bit more loaded with four PLL Draft picks on their roster.

Prediction: Georgetown 16, Yale 11

💥 Army at (4) Maryland

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Watch: (ESPNU)

Could Army (12-3) pull off the upset here? Their matchup with Maryland (10-5) is interesting. Both teams lean on tough defense. The Black Knights only allow an average of 8.67 goals per game (2nd best in D1), and the Terps aren’t far behind (10.6 goals allowed/game). Buckle up, because this game is going to feel like a heavyweight slugfest.

Prediction: Maryland 9, Army 8 (OT)

💥 Bryant at (6) Johns Hopkins

When: Sunday, 12 p.m. ET
Watch: (ESPNU)

Johns Hopkins (11-5) is BACK on the national stage, and now Bryant (12-4) is trying to spoil their triumphant return. The Bulldogs may have been able to win the America East conference championship, but Big Ten lacrosse is a different beast. Barring a stunning upset, the Blue Jays should be able to take care of business in Round 1.

Prediction: Hopkins 16, Bryant 9

💥 Michigan at (8) Cornell

When: Sunday, 2:30 p.m. ET
Watch: (ESPNU)

This matchup has “Game of the Week” potential. Michigan (9-6) is red hot, after taking down Penn State and Maryland en route to claiming their first ever Big Ten championship. Cornell (11-3), on the other hand, slipped up as the top seed in the Ivy League tournament. The Wolverines are on a nice run right now, but ultimately, hungry dogs run faster.

Prediction: Cornell 14, Michigan 13

💥 Delaware at (1) Duke

When: Sunday, 5 p.m. ET
Watch: (ESPNU)

Can Delaware (13-4) do it again? Last year, the Blue Hens won a play-in game and then took down a 2-seed in Georgetown…beating a 1-seed would be even crazier. Duke (13-2) has the best record in D1 and looks like a team that is destined to play on Championship Weekend. It might not be a blowout, but there is zero room for error against an ACC powerhouse of Duke’s caliber.

Prediction: Duke 20, Delaware 16

💥 Princeton at (5) Penn State

When: Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Watch: (ESPNU)

This one could legitimately go either way, and that’s probably why it’s in the primetime slot on Sunday night. Princeton (8-6) overcame a rocky regular season to win the Ivy League championship. Penn State (9-4) enjoyed a resurgent year, but failed to finish the job as the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. This matchup could come down to home-field advantage, as the Nittany Lions are undefeated in Happy Valley this season.

Prediction: Penn State 12, Princeton 11 (OT)

📺 Future NCAA Tournament Info

For the eight teams that make it out of this weekend, here’s the rest of the road to Championship Weekend:

Saturday, May 20 (Quarterfinals)
Albany, N.Y. (Teams TBD)
ESPNU (Times TBD)

Sunday, May 21 (Quarterfinals)
Annapolis, Md. (Teams TBD)
ESPNU (Times TBD)

Saturday, May 27 (Semifinals)
Philadelphia, Pa. (Teams TBD)
ESPN2 (Times TBD)

Monday, May 29 (Final)
Philadelphia, Pa. (Teams TBD)
1 p.m., ESPN