January in the lacrosse world is basically a fever dream of hope and cold turf. If you’ve spent any time looking at the ncaa men lacrosse rankings recently, you know the vibe. It’s that weird window where everyone is undefeated and every freshman is a future Tewaaraton winner. But honestly, the preseason polls that just dropped for 2026 are telling a story that most casual fans are completely missing.
Maryland is sitting at No. 1. Again.
It feels like a glitch in the matrix, doesn't it? John Tillman’s squad lost the national title game last year to Cornell. They lost their rock in goal, Logan McNaney. They lost Daniel Kelly. Yet, here we are, with the Terps staring down from the top spot in the USA Lacrosse Preseason Top 20. If you’re wondering why a team that just got "silver-medaled" is ranked above the defending champs, you’re not alone. But the logic is actually pretty sound once you look at the transfer portal haul.
The Yale-to-College-Park Pipeline
Maryland didn't just recruit; they pillaged. They went out and grabbed Leo Johnson and Chris Lyons from Yale. We’re talking about two guys who combined for nearly 90 points last year. Then they added Michael Alexander on defense—also from Yale—and Henry Dodge from Vermont to fix their faceoff issues.
It’s a "super-team" build.
Ranking them No. 1 isn't about what they did last May. It’s about the fact that Tillman has essentially assembled a veteran All-Star team. While Cornell—the actual 2025 champions—is sitting back at No. 6. Why the disrespect for the Big Red? Simple: CJ Kirst is gone. You don't just replace a guy who scored 247 career goals. You don’t replace the all-time Division I goals leader without a massive identity crisis. Cornell still has Ryan Goldstein, who was a literal magician as a freshman, but the voters are clearly terrified of life after Kirst.
Why the ACC is a Total Meat Grinder in 2026
If you look at the top ten of any ncaa men lacrosse rankings right now, it’s basically an ACC invitation list. Syracuse is at No. 2. North Carolina is at No. 5. Notre Dame and Duke are hovering right there at No. 7 and No. 8.
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The Orange are the most interesting team in the country right now. Gary Gait has them back. Last year was the first time Syracuse made a Final Four in a decade, and they didn't just get there—they looked like they belonged. Joey Spallina is entering 2026 as the heavy favorite for the Tewaaraton. He’s got Finn Thomson next to him. It’s an offense that plays with a kind of arrogance that Syracuse fans haven't seen since the early 2000s.
But then there's Virginia.
The Cavaliers are ranked No. 13. For a program with Virginia’s hardware, that’s basically an insult. Lars Tiffany’s group went 6-8 last year. They didn't win a single conference game. It was, in his own words, a "thunderbolt." But if you’re looking for a value bet or a team that’s going to ruin someone’s ranking by March, it’s the Hoos.
Why? Because the Millon brothers are finally together.
McCabe Millon was left on an island last year after Connor Shellenberger graduated. He had no help. This year, his brother Brendan Millon—the No. 1 recruit in the country—arrives. Brendan isn't just a "good freshman." He’s a plug-and-play 40-goal scorer. Plus, the 2026 Championship Weekend is being held at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville. Imagine a Virginia team that barely made the tournament suddenly playing for a title on their home grass. It’s happened before.
The Ivy League Power Shift
We need to talk about the Ivies. Usually, this is where the "smart" lacrosse lives. Princeton is at No. 3. They are the highest-ranked Ivy, leapfrogging Cornell.
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The Tigers are deep. They have a defensive unit that makes people want to quit the sport. But look further down at Yale. They aren't even in the Top 20. They’re "also receiving votes." This is a program that was a perennial title contender three years ago. The graduation of that massive 16-player senior class—and the exodus of their stars to Maryland—has left Andy Shay in a total rebuild.
It's sorta wild to see Harvard (No. 12) ranked higher than Yale. That hasn't felt "normal" in a long time.
Breaking Down the 2026 Preseason Top 10
If you're trying to keep track of the movement, here is how the elite tier of the ncaa men lacrosse rankings actually looks as of mid-January:
- Maryland: The portal kings.
- Syracuse: All about the Spallina/Thomson firepower.
- Princeton: The most balanced team in the country.
- Georgetown: Still relying on that elite defense and steady coaching.
- North Carolina: Returns four All-Americans including Owen Duffy.
- Cornell: Defending champs, but "Kirst-less."
- Notre Dame: The Kavanagh era is over, but the depth remains.
- Duke: Always talented, always slightly underperforming in February.
- Penn State: Will Schaller is the best defender you aren't watching.
- Richmond: The kings of the "mid-majors" who aren't really mid-majors anymore.
The Goalie Problem
There’s a huge "X-factor" that the rankings can't capture: the goalie carousel.
Maryland has a massive question mark in the cage. Brian Ruppel had a sub-.500 save percentage when he filled in previously. They brought in five-star recruit Aidan Seibel, but starting a true freshman in the Big Ten is a gamble that can blow up a No. 1 ranking in three weeks.
Virginia has the same problem. They’re looking at Jake Marek, a grad transfer from Air Force. If Marek isn't the real deal, Virginia’s high-octane offense won't matter because they’ll be digging the ball out of the net twenty times a game.
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Real Insights for the 2026 Season
Rankings are just a snapshot of "what we think we know." Here is what actually matters for the next four months:
Schedule Strength is Everything
Maryland is playing 10 teams from the preseason poll. North Carolina is playing 10. You are going to see teams with 4-4 records in March that are actually top-five teams. Don't panic when a ranked ACC team loses to another ranked ACC team. It’s a survival of the fittest.
The Shot Clock Evolution
We’re seeing teams lean more into transition than ever. Watch for Long-Stick Midfielders (LSMs) like Robby Hopper at Virginia. These guys aren't just defenders anymore; they’re primary fast-break options. Teams that can score from their "poles" are the ones that will jump up the rankings in February.
The "Home Field" Ghost
Keep an eye on Virginia. The fact that the National Championship is in Charlottesville is a massive psychological factor. The NCAA hasn't had a team play for the title on their own campus since 1995. The pressure is either going to forge them into a juggernaut or crush them by April.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans and Bettors
- Watch the February 22nd window. This is usually when the "portal teams" like Maryland either gel or start pointing fingers. If the Terps drop an early game to a team like Syracuse, that No. 1 ranking will vanish instantly.
- Track the "First-Year" Impact. In the modern game, you can't wait for seniors to lead. Watch Brendan Millon (UVA) and the Notre Dame freshmen. If they aren't producing by Week 3, those teams are in trouble.
- Don't ignore the America East. UAlbany is ranked No. 19 and they are dangerous. They returned almost their entire offense, including Silas Richmond. They are the classic "bracket buster" that will ruin a Top 10 team's season in May.
- Check the USILA Coaches Poll vs. the Media Poll. The coaches usually value experience and defense. The media values stars and scoring. When there’s a big gap between where the coaches rank a team and where the media does, the truth is usually somewhere in the middle.
The ncaa men lacrosse rankings will change a dozen times before May. But right now, the narrative is clear: it’s a race to see if Maryland’s "mercenary" roster can actually play as a team, or if the Syracuse hype train finally reaches its destination.