Welcome to the Gameday Guide.

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

Allow us to use this space to talk bracketology.

As US Lacrosse Magazine contributor Jeremy Fallis explained this week in incredible detail, the NCAA selection committee faces a taller task than ever before in just about five weeks’ time. Because RPI means less than usual given a comparative lack of cross-pollination between conferences, the eye test might mean more when seeding teams and determining who’s in and who’s out.

It’s getting to be crunch time for teams on the bubble — like Louisville, Johns Hopkins, Ohio State and Rutgers, just to name a few — and capitalizing on chances for key wins at this point in the season is paramount.

A few of those teams are in action this weekend. Now’s their time to make waves.

As always, check out our TV Listings page for the entire list of games coming up.

GAMES TO WATCH
All times Eastern

GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 9 Maryland at No. 19 Penn State

It’s a rematch of the game that put Penn State on the map, only for the Nittany Lions to struggle mightily since. Penn State is just 1-6 since beating Maryland 15-13 in College Park, a result that vaulted the Nittany Lions into the national discussion. But the Big Ten (outside of Northwestern, and to a lesser extent, Maryland) continues to be a toss-up.

This is the game of the week because it will tell us one of two things. It can either support the notion that Maryland has righted the ship since that Feb. 21 result, or it will prove that perhaps Maryland belongs in the “toss-up” tier of the Big Ten, too.

This is a game driven by young stars like Maryland’s Hannah Leubecker and Penn State’s Kristin O’Neill and Kayla Abernathy.

Game No One’s Talking About
Denver at UConn

The second of two matchups between the Pios and Huskies this weekend, Sunday’s game will help explain the Big East’s hierarchy. Denver fell off the map after an early loss to Colorado but has since recovered quite nicely, whereas UConn wasn’t on too many national radars before lighting up scoreboards this spring.

UPSET WATCH
No. 7 Virginia at No. 3 Syracuse

Did North Carolina’s drubbing of Syracuse last week possibly expose Syracuse’s flaws? There’s no doubting the Orange’s standing as a national contender, but the Orange had otherwise looked to be nearly untouchable before the 17-6 loss.

The Orange struggled with possession and shooting percentage, and when it came time to put the ball in the net to stop a run, the absence of Emily Hawryschuk really hurt. If Julie Myers’ Virginia team can execute a similar strategy to UNC, then this is an upset possibility.

Under-the-Radar Stars

Lia LaPrise, UConn

Sydney Watson (perhaps rightfully) garners a ton of attention for the Huskies, but lest we forget about LaPrise. Entering Friday’s game against Denver, she’s leading UConn in points with 45 (23 goals, 22 assists).

Hannah Demis and Kyra LaMotte, Furman

Furman is 7-3 and fighting to earn the SoCon’s automatic qualifier. Demis and LaMotte are at the heart of the Paladins’ strong season, as Demis has 30 assists and LaMotte has 34 goals.

Aurora Cordingley, Johns Hopkins

In Johns Hopkins’ massive 13-10 win over No. 19 Penn State during the week, Aurora Cordingley scored six times on eight shots. For Johns Hopkins to continue building its resume this week, Cordingley will be key.

FOLLOW US

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