Maryland men’s lacrosse put on a dominant performance at home in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last Saturday. The Terps put all questions about whether they deserved to host a game to rest, dominating Princeton to the tune of a 16-8 win.
Head coach John Tillman has emphasized to his team that every game could be their last. They’re now facing another win-or-go-home situation against an even more daunting opponent.
Maryland will take on No. 2-seed and historic rival Duke on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Hofstra University. The game will air on ESPNU, and the Terps are 3.5-goal underdogs, per DraftKings Sportsbook.
Duke Blue Devils (13-5, 2-4 ACC)
Duke entered the season with lofty expectations, ranked No. 2 in the preseason poll. Eighteen games later, it finds itself in the exact same position — the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The Blue Devils opened the season hot, garnering four straight nonconference wins before losing a game, in which they were heavily favored, to Penn. After that, they didn’t lose another nonconference game, adding impressive wins over tournament teams in Princeton and Denver.
Conference play was a different story, though. The Blue Devils’ only conference win in the regular season was an 18-12 offensive explosion against Virginia.
They added another win in the ACC Tournament, avenging their loss to Syracuse, before losing a second time to Notre Dame in the championship game. In the NCAA Tournament, they rolled past Utah in the first round, setting them up for a quarterfinal date with the Terps.
Players to watch
Brennan O’Neill, senior attack, No. 34 — O’Neill is the premier talent in college lacrosse today. The No. 1 pick in this year’s 2024 PLL Draft, O’Neill is the reigning Tewaaraton Award winner and a finalist for the award once again after putting up 49 goals and 25 assists in the regular season.
Kenny Brower, graduate defender, No. 29 — Brower is the leader of Duke’s defensive unit and one of the best long poles in the country. A pure lockdown defender, he has caused 19 turnovers and scooped up 27 ground balls this year. It remains to be seen what matchup he will draw against Maryland, but Eric Spanos is a potential option if Tillman keeps him at attack.
Andrew McAdorey, junior midfielder, No. 2 — McAdorey is a versatile threat in Duke’s midfield. He utilizes great footwork to get free for shots on the run, where he has proven to be lethal. The former No. 1 recruit has 28 goals and nine assists this year.
Strength
Offense. Duke’s offense has proven to be one of the most lethal groups in the country this year. It averages over 15 goals per game, which is good for fourth best in the nation. It also possesses a variety of both goal scoring and facilitating threats. The good news for Maryland, its defense has already been tested by two of the three offenses averaging more goals than Duke — Notre Dame and Syracuse — and has held each under its season averages.
Weakness
Consistency. As dominant and threatening as Duke has looked for large portions of the season, it has also produced some lackluster and inexplicable performances. That same high-octane offense scored just four goals in a conference game against Syracuse and six in the ACC Tournament championship. Its defense, which has been physical and imposing, allowed 15 goals against North Carolina, whose offense was the worst in the ACC by a wide margin.
Three things to watch
1. History. Maryland and Duke is a matchup with deep roots across many different sports, especially lacrosse. Tillman has fared well in these matchups, going 7-3 against Duke head coach John Danowski while at Maryland. The two programs have only met in the NCAA Tournament since Maryland left the ACC, during which the Terps are 1-1.
2. Specialists. One thing that gave Maryland a huge boost in its first-round win was the play of faceoff specialist Luke Wierman and goalie Logan McNaney. Duke’s goalie, freshman Patrick Jameison, has been strong all year with a save percentage more than 54%. At the faceoff dot, Jake Naso has been dominant, winning more than 57% of his draws. If the Terps’ specialists can outperform the Blue Devils’, it will provide the offense with a much-needed cushion.
3. O’Neill vs. Ajax Zappitello. Fans of college lacrosse couldn’t ask for a better matchup. The No. 1 offensive player versus the No. 1 defensive player taken in the 2024 PLL draft will go at it in what will be the loser’s last college game.
