Welcome back to another edition of Top Shelf Spreads! Last weekend was packed with action, featuring high-scoring thrillers and nail-biting matchups from Friday through Sunday. Teams hit the road for spring break showdowns, but now it’s back to campus as conference play looms on the horizon. We had another strong weekend, going 3-1, with our only loss coming by a brutal half-point on the Maryland-Notre Dame over—a tough beat. That brings our season record to an impressive 15-5.
Now, let’s dive into the key matchups to watch this weekend!
#8 Penn State (+2) vs. #3 Cornell | O/U 25.5 | Saturday, 12 PM
This weekend’s slate might not be as stacked as last week’s, but we’ve got a must-watch matchup here. Cornell narrowly escaped Richmond last weekend, but they showed resilience in pulling off a tough road win. The Big Red have been dominant for the most part, and CJ Kirst is playing like the best player in the country—already racking up 21 goals in just four games. He’s been unstoppable, and with a strong supporting cast, Cornell remains a serious contender.
For Penn State, it’s been a strong start to the season. Their OT loss to Princeton proved they can hang with top teams, but this game is an opportunity to take the next step and establish themselves as a true national threat. Matt Traynor has been the driving force of the Nittany Lion offense, leading with 23 points, but what makes them unique is their reliance on midfield scoring rather than a traditional attack-heavy offense.
The all-time series record goes to Penn State by a narrow margin at 24-24 dating all the way back to 1923! The Big Red are currently on a two-game losing streak against Penn State, but Cornell looks like they might be ready to even up the series and get the win. The key question: Can Penn State slow down Kirst? Right now, that seems like a tall order. Expect a competitive battle, but with Cornell’s firepower and recent battle-tested experience, they should cover. While both offenses can put up numbers, the total feels just a bit too high for how this game might unfold.
Pick: Cornell -2, Under 25.5
#7 Johns Hopkins (+1.5) vs. #11 Syracuse | O/U 24.5 | Sunday, 2 PM
What better way to close out the weekend than with a showdown between two of the most storied programs in college lacrosse? Johns Hopkins and Syracuse—a classic rivalry with a long history. The all-time series leans in Hopkins’ favor at 32-29, but Cuse took last year’s matchup and has split the last four meetings. Surprisingly, the Orange hold just a narrow 11-10 home record against the Blue Jays, proving that Homewood’s finest don’t shy away from the Carrier Dome atmosphere.
For Hopkins, success hinges on their offensive playmakers. When Melendez and Chauvette get rolling, the Blue Jays gain confidence, and once that momentum starts, they become tough to stop. They’ve quietly been handling business this season—grinding out wins and bouncing back from a tough loss to UNC with a solid victory over UVA. They might not be blowing teams out, but they’re finding ways to win.
On the other side, Syracuse has more to prove. The Orange are once again showing they can dominate lesser opponents, but they’ve struggled to break through against top-tier teams. Their offense has been productive, but elite defenses have slowed them down—a problem they’ll need to fix if they want to be true contenders. Joey Spallina has been steady, averaging five points per game, but those points have come naturally within the flow of the game. If Cuse wants to take the next step, Spallina needs to take charge and push himself beyond just being efficient—a couple of extra playmaking moments from him could be the difference.
While the Orange will have the home crowd behind them, Hopkins has been battle-tested all season. When the lights are bright, I trust the Blue Jays to step up and take this one on the road.
Pick: Hopkins +1.5, Over 24.5