NCAA men's lacrosse tournament predictions 2026: Quarterfinal picks, including Princeton-Penn State rematch

Prediction: Notre Dame 12, Johns Hopkins 10

• No. 3 North Carolina vs. No. 6 Syracuse (2:30 p.m., ESPNU)

This is the third meeting between the teams. North Carolina beat Syracuse 14-9 on April 4 and 12-10 in the ACC tournament on May 1. Tar Heels junior attackman Dominic Pietramala had 10 goals in the first round against UAlbany. He had five goals in the first meeting with Syracuse but was limited to one goal in the second game. North Carolina midfielder Owen Duffy (hamstring) sat out the first round. The Orange needs senior attackman Joey Spallina – who did not score in either meeting – to have more of an impact. The face-off battle between North Carolina's Brady Wambach (.668) and Syracuse's John Mullen (.534) will be a huge key to victory. Ultimately, Pietramala will keep the hot streak going.

Prediction: North Carolina 13, Syracuse 9

Sunday, May 17

• No. 1 Princeton vs. No. 8 Penn State (12 p.m., ESPNU)

Princeton averages 14.88 goals per game, and the Tigers beat Marist 17-8 in the first round, but this is a tricky matchup. Penn State beat Princeton 13-7 in the season opener on Feb. 14. Hunter Aquino – a 6-foot-5 attackman – had three goals in that matchup and is coming off a three-goal performance in a 10-6 victory against Army in the first round. Freshman goalie Preston Hawkins had 11 saves in the first meeting, too. Princeton junior attackman Nate Kabiri will be the player to watch. He has five assists in each of Princeton's last two games – and he had just two shots in the first meeting. Will he take on a more active scoring role in what could be a tight game in the rematch? The Tigers are 3-2 when they are held to less than 12 goals. That's the number to watch.

Winner: Princeton 14, Penn State 11

• Duke vs. Georgetown (2:30 p.m., ESPNU)

The Blue Devils and Hoyas both pulled upsets in the first round – which means the final quarterfinal game should provide high entertainment. The Blue Devils average 15 goals per game in their last two victories – and 5-foot-8 attackman Liam Kershis has five goals in those games. The Hoyas have not made the Final Four since 1999. Georgetown has allowed more than 10 goals in just one game this season – and senior attackman Rory Connor is third in the nation with 3.53 points per game. Junior goalie Anderson Moore is coming off a 15-save performance in the 14-10 victory against Virginia. This is a true toss-up game and could be the best game of the weekend. Which style wins?

Winner: Georgetown 13, Duke 12

When is the Men's Lacrosse national championship?

The 2026 men's lacrosse championships are May 23-25 at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Va. The championship game will be Monday, May 25, at noon.