So Selection Sunday was kind of ho hum, eh?
Perhaps a few explosive first-round matchups will awake your senses.
The weekend features nonstop, nationally televised action on ESPNU from noon to about 9:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Here’s one sentence on each of the NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse tournament first-round games. All times Eastern.
Richmond (11-4) at (2) Virginia (11-3) – Saturday 12 p.m.
The Cavaliers throttled the Spiders 25-8 on March 4, but Richmond is no patsy playing in its fifth NCAA tournament and knowing it beat UVA just last year when the Cavaliers were ranked No. 2 in the country.
Utah (12-4) at (3) Notre Dame (10-2) – Saturday 2:30 p.m.
Despite boasting the nation’s No. 2 offense (16.69 GPG), the Utes are eight-goal underdogs according to DraftKings Sportsbook and will try to exploit the Fighting Irish’s one weakness — faceoffs.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Yale (9-5) at (7) Georgetown (12-3) – Saturday 5 p.m.
Projected as the highest-scoring game on the slate (28.5 O/U) alongside Utah-Notre Dame with two top-10 offenses, the red-hot Hoyas (12 straight wins) have the edge against an uncharacteristically poor Bulldogs defense (61st, 13.64 GPG allowed).
UPSET WATCH
Army (12-3) at (4) Maryland (10-5) – Saturday 7:30 p.m.
This is trench warfare between two teams with Dick Edell pedigrees predicated on discipline and brinkmanship, with the injury-depleted Terps on high alert after Michigan dealt them their most lopsided loss since coach John Tillman took over the team in 2011.