ACC Lacrosse Tournament 2015: Preview, Predictions and Players to Watch
PHILADELPHIA — While much of the nation is locked into the NBA playoffs, one of the most entertaining, under-the-radar tournaments will take over Philly.
The 2015 ACC Men's Lacrosse Championship takes place this weekend, with the semifinals Friday and the title game Sunday. The nation's top four teams—the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the Syracuse Orange, the UNC Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils—will go head-to-head in hopes of claiming the conference title.
Read on for a complete preview of the tournament.
Catch the live semifinal action between Notre Dame and Duke here.
| Friday, April 24 | ||
| 5:30 p.m. | No. 4 Duke vs. No. 1 Notre Dame | ESPNU/WatchESPN |
| 8 p.m. | No. 3 Syracuse vs. No. 2 North Carolina | ESPNU/WatchESPN |
| Saturday, April 25 | ||
| 7:30 p.m. | No. 5 Virginia vs. Penn | ESPN3 |
| Sunday, April 26 | ||
| 1 p.m. | Championship Game | ESPNU/WatchESPN |
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Biggest Storylines
Irish Look to Extend Streak
Notre Dame hasn't lost a game after dropping an overtime heartbreaker to the Denver Pioneers on March 7. Since then, the Irish have rattled off six straight wins, including victories over Syracuse, UNC, Duke and the Virginia Cavaliers.
The Irish also will look to claim back-to-back ACC titles, as they won the championship last season for the first time in school history.
Virginia's Postseason Fate Will be Decided
The Cavaliers were done no favors when it comes to their ACC schedule, which led to a 0-4 record and no berth in the conference tournament. They will play a consolation game against the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday, though, which could decide Virginia's fate for the NCAA tournament.
Should the Cavs win, they will almost certainly be locked into one of the top eight seeds for the national tournament. On the other hand, a loss will surely lead to a whole lot of uncertainty in Charlottesville.
UNC, Syracuse to Provide Thrilling Semifinal Matchup
Not to discredit the Duke-Notre Dame game, but UNC and Syracuse are poised to provide one of the best ACC tournament semifinal games in years. Both teams gave Notre Dame a run for its money, as UNC lost by a goal and Syracuse fell in double overtime.
The Tar Heels and the Orange played earlier this season, in a much-closer-than-it-looks 17-15 victory for UNC. Friday's game will feature two of the nation's top three offensive teams and two of its elite scorers in Syracuse's Dylan Donahue and UNC's Luke Goldstock.
There's no doubt that this game should be a thriller, and fans are lucky to get it in the first round.
Players to Watch
Matt Kavanagh, Notre Dame
There's no surprise here, as Matt Kavanagh has been the hero for the Irish all season. He let it show last weekend against UNC, scoring two goals in the final 90 seconds to secure the victory.
He is one of the most entertaining players in the country to watch, so keep an eye on him throughout the tournament.
Dylan Donahue, Syracuse
Donahue is arguably the nation's top attackman and will try to lead the Orange to their first-ever ACC championship. Should Syracuse and Notre Dame make it to the championship game, the Kavanagh-Donahue matchup may be too good to pass up, as the two players combined for 11 points in their first meeting this season.
Jack Bruckner, Duke
Sophomore midfielder Jack Bruckner started to gain national attention after his seven-goal performance in Duke's conference tournament-clinching victory over Virginia.
LaxPower considers him to be the top middie in the nation, and he'll surely prove why throughout the tournament.
Jake Bailey, North Carolina
Defensemen rarely make "Players to Watch" lists, but Jake Bailey has earned it. The 6'6", 230-pound senior has been among the nation's elite defenders all season, so expect him to be assigned to Donahue in the first round.
Predictions
Notre Dame beats Duke, 14-9.
Syracuse edges North Carolina, 16-15 (OT).
Virginia tops Penn State, 15-10.
Notre Dame claims title over Syracuse, 17-15.
Samuel Benson is a Featured Columnist covering college lacrosse and football. Contact him at bensonsamb@gmail.com.
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