🍀 NOTRE DAME TAKES BACK NO. 1

Three weeks later, we're back where we started.

Notre Dame (8-1) is No. 1 again in The People's Top 20. If you've been sleeping on the merry-go-round, this is how we got here:

▪️ March 21: Notre Dame is No. 1 after starting 6-0▪️ March 28: Virginia takes No. 1 after beating Notre Dame, 15-10▪️ April 4: Duke takes No. 1 after beating Virginia, 16-14▪️ Today: Notre Dame takes back No. 1 after beating Duke, 17-12

This ACC trio appears to be the elite tier in 2023, which is ironic because two of these three teams didn't even make the NCAA tournament last year...

But let's not get caught up in the past!

The ACC's collective RPI — a metric upon which the NCAA Selection Committee leans heavily — is much stronger now than it was a season ago. Notre Dame (.7063), Duke (.6980) and Virginia (.6840) have the three best individual RPI ratings in the country, according to LaxReference.com.

Even North Carolina (7-4) ranks among the top 10 teams in RPI. Syracuse (7-5) comes in at 27th, but the Orange can narrow that gap with a win over the Tar Heels at a neutral site matchup in Olney, Maryland this weekend.

This conference will send at least three teams to the NCAA tournament next month — but how many of them will make it all the way to Championship Weekend?

🤬 The Glovegate Controversy

Is it ever OK to call for an equipment check because an opposing player is wearing the wrong color gloves? What if it's late in the fourth quarter of a tie game with a conference rival?

That's what Maryland head coach John Tillman allegedly did against Ohio State last Friday night. Here's a video that shows the glove check, Maryland's game-winning goal in overtime and a portion of Tillman's postgame interview.

"I just asked the ref, 'Hey, just a quick question: Don't they all have to use the same gloves?" Tillman said, via the Big Ten Network broadcast. "I'm not asking for a glove check, I'm just asking a question."

Sure...

Had Tillman owned the glove check in the postgame interview, a lot more fans would respect the move. After all, he knew the rule and has a responsibility as head coach to give his team any (legal) advantage he can over the opponent.

Earlier this season, Tillman called a stick check on Princeton face-off specialist Tyler Sandoval after he scored a goal. Sandoval's stick ended up being illegal, the goal was wiped off the board and Princeton had to serve a three-minute penalty. Maryland went on to win that game, 11-5.

As the Terps find themselves in more tight games this year, Tillman seems like he's willing to do whatever he can from the sideline to help his team come out on top. Whether you love or hate his tactics, you have to recognize his drive to win.

🍊 Joey Spallina Wins POTW (Again!)

Remember when Joey Spallina went 1-for-15 shooting in his first college game, and critics were pouncing on the opportunity to call him a bust?

Hopefully the haters got it all out of their system in early February, because Spallina hasn't given them an opportunity to speak since then. After a career-high NINE-point performance against Princeton last Saturday, the freshman phenom has secured his second Player of the Week award.

Spallina is up to 57 points (32 goals, 25 assists) on the season, which currently ranks third among all Division I Men's Lacrosse players in 2023. The Princeton game marked Syracuse's first win over a ranked opponent this year — and only the second win away from the JMA Wireless Dome.

Syracuse may still be a year away, but Spallina and several other rising stars on the roster are starting to come of age.

🍿 PLL College Draft Date Set

The PLL Draft is officially less than one month away. Here's what you need to know...

Broadcast Info:🗓 Tuesday, May 9⏰ 7 p.m. ET📺 ESPNU

Round 1 Draft Order:1. Atlas (via Cannons)2. Redwoods3. Atlas4. Chrome5. Archers6. Whipsnakes7. Chaos8. WaterdogsDraft Prospects to Watch:▪️ Sam Handley, Midfielder, Penn▪️ Will Bowen, Defense, Georgetown▪️ Tucker Dordevic, Attack/Midfield, Georgetown▪️ Gavin Adler, Defense, Cornell▪️ Matt Campbell, Midfield, Villanova▪️ Thomas McConvey, Midfield, Virginia▪️ Zach Cole, FO, St. Joe's▪️ Owen Grant, Defense, Delaware

📺 Midweek TV/Streaming Info

All times Eastern (streaming links via Inside Lacrosse/USA Lacrosse Magazine):

Tuesday, April 11:12 p.m. — Marquette at Cornell (ESPN+)

Wednesday, April 12:12 p.m. — Detroit Mercy at Jacksonville (ESPN+)12 p.m. — Marist at Siena (ESPNU)12 p.m. — Quinnipiac at Sacred Heart (ESPN3)2:30 p.m. — VMI at Wagner (Wagner All-Access)3 p.m. — Canisius at Mount St. Mary's (ESPN+)3 p.m. — LIU at Manhattan (ESPN+)4 p.m. — Bellarmine at Robert Morris (ESPN+)4 p.m. — Lindenwood at Utah (PAC-12.com)6 p.m. — Cleveland State at Queens (ESPN+)

Thursday, April 13:7 p.m. — Denver at Towson (LacrosseTV)

🤝 Refer friends and win prizes... FOR FREE!

We are happy to introduce The Lacrosse Newsletter's latest upgrade: REFERRALS!

Every time you successfully refer a friend you get one step closer to winning prizes. 5 gets you a free t-shirt, 15 gets you a free hoodie, and 25 gets you a free college retro jersey of the school of your choosing.

Instructions on how to begin are outlined below 👇