Welcome to the Gameday Guide.

Every weekend during the college lacrosse season, USA Lacrosse Magazine staff will riff on the juiciest matchups, trendiest topics and biggest storylines.

Check out the rankings and TV listings for more.

MERCER AND BELLARMINE MERELY SERVED UP AN APPETIZER. The main course is about to make its way to the table.

Fresh off this week’s news that ESPN will carry more than 700 college lacrosse games (men and women) on its platforms this spring, there’s a nearly full plate of competition to digest.

Below are just some of the games we’ve got our eyes on. Check out our TV listings for the whole slate.

GAMES TO WATCH
ALL TIMES EASTERN

GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 19 Vermont at No. 3 Duke

The Catamounts wasted no time capitalizing on their first-ever America East title and NCAA tournament appearance, front loading their nonconference schedule with Duke, Utah, Penn State and Brown.

Last February was the first time Duke made it out of the month without a loss since 2014 (the Blue Devils lost to Maryland on March 1 that year). Duke has seven, yes seven, games on the slate this year before the calendar turns to March.

Among the juicy All-American matchups: Tommy Burke vs. Jake Naso on faceoffs and Thomas McConvey likely drawing Blue Devils long pole Tyler Carpenter.

Watch Duke’s offense. With Michael Sowers out of the picture, is this Brennan O’Neill’s party to start now? Or will the Blue Devils initiate more out of the midfield with Nakeie Montgomery or Dyson Williams? What about Joe Robertson or Sean Lulley? Still so many weapons capable of drawing slides.

BEST GAME NO ONE’S TALKING ABOUT

No. 12 Denver at Utah

The Utes took the Pioneers to the wire in Denver last year. The Pioneers eked out a 9-8 win. There’s a new regime in Utah, with former Robert Morris coach Andrew McMinn taking the reins from Brian Holman. But there’s also a blast from the past in homegrown product Josh Stout, a former two-time MCLA All-American and centerpiece of the Utes’ club-to-varsity transition who led the team with 43 goals in 2019. He’s back on the roster.

UPSET WATCH

High Point at No. 2 Maryland

Everyone’s favorite giant killer comes to College Park. Would anyone be shocked to see All-American attackman Asher Nolting and the defending Southern Conference champion Panthers take down Maryland? Ask Duke, Virginia and nearly North Carolina how they feel about playing High Point in February. Then again, the Terps under John Tillman rarely suffer such early-season letdowns. They’re 33-3 in the month of February dating back to 2011.

UNDER-THE-RADAR STARS

Brayden Mayea, High Point

The sophomore attackman from Ontario started all 14 games for the Panthers last spring and registered 37 goals while shooting at a 48.1-percent clip.

Joe Robertson, Duke

Robertson should have long ago ascended from this category, but after being left off most if not all the preseason All-American lists, the designation still fits. The graduate-year attackman has developed a reputation for late-game heroics. He had three game-winners last season alone and has 127 goals and 47 assists in just 53 career games. After missing last year’s season opener against Denver due to COVID-19 protocols, Robertson is in line to make a more immediate impact out of the gate.

Will Mark, LIU

Mark led Division I in saves per game last season (17.45). Perhaps even more impressive, he ranked seventh nationally in save percentage (57.7) while facing 520 shots. For context, first-team All-American goalie Owen McElroy (58.4 save percentage) faced 528 shots but played five more games (235 minutes) than Mark.

FOLLOW US

Follow @USALacrosseMag on Twitter and Instagram for highlights, results and stories from across the college lacrosse landscape, and check back to USALaxMagazine.com for a gameday roundup.