Nimbus’ Lax Locks: Week 2 Plays & ACC Conference Preview
Nimbus is back at it for some week 2 picks and a 2025 ACC Conference Preview.
Mr. Nimbus’ Lax Locks: Week 2
2025 Record: 2-1
1. Bellarmine -3.5 vs. Mercyhurst
Entering Week 2 with a similar mindset here. I gave you Mount St. Mary’s against a pubescent program in Queens last week, I’ll go back to the well with an absurdly mid team this week. Bellarmine (yes, this is a real school somehow) finished the 2024 season with a record of 9-8 with a loss in the conference championship. Although the ASUN might be the most mid conference in all of NCAA athletics, this team put together some impressive showings, and ultimately proved they belong in Division 1 lacrosse. Mercyhurst enters its first ever year of Division 1 lacrosse, and if history has taught us anything, it’s to fade this team every single week. The spread is -5 Knights now, which I still think is good value and ML is a lock for all parlays. I really wish this line stayed at -2.5, as I would’ve played it as an absolute mortal, but Nimbus got it at -3.5, so that’s the official pick here.
2. Penn State -4 @ Villanova
The Nitts gave Nimbus and his loyal subjects a comfortable 5 star lock of the week in week 1. As I did with the Bellarmine pick, I’ll deploy a similar mindset with Penn State in Week 2. Villanova lost a lot of their big dogs offensively, and their FO specialist will be Princeton transfer and cringe TikToker Tyler Sandoval. He’s ight, but you lose instant credibility when you start documenting your injury rehab and private workouts. The Nitts looked solid in week 1 against a similar opponent in Colgate, and Nimbus thinks the offense knows they can play better in week 2. ML is great for parlays considering its only -540 (most good teams have MLs of -1000 or more). This pick is going to be a lowkey sweat, but I have faith it hits fairly comfortably.
3. High Point -4.5 @ VMI
- After dropping a tough loss to Navy at home last week, High Point looks to bounce back in a should-be big win over VMI. Research shows VMI has never covered 5 or less in this matchup, and I don’t believe that trend will end anytime soon. Gimme the Panthers to secure their first win of the 2025 campaign with a comfortable 6-7 goal win.
*Honorable Mention Plays (In No Order)*
UNDER 20.5 Total Goals Monmouth vs Manhattan
My thought process here: Monmouth defensive supposedly good + Monmouth offense sucks early in the year + early season February matchup in 33 degree weather + Manhattan loves close games = low total under. This play is so ugly I love it. Can’t wait to enjoy this sloppy, semi-talented matchup.
Army -5 @ UMass
For as long as Nimbus can remember, this line has been -1.5 for either team any given year. But, the Black Knights enter the 2025 campaign with very high expectations, and rightfully so. Army returns reigning Patriot League, and preseason, OPOY Midfielder Evan Plunkett (Dog), two-time reigning Patriot League, and preseason, DPOY A,J. Pilatte is back to captain the defense, and FO specialist Will Colletti was named the #15 overall player in the country. UMass is always sneaky good, and this matchup has provided college lacrosse faithful with some absolute dogfights, but Nimbus is extremely bullish on the Black Knights this spring.
Delaware +2.5 @ Utah AND O25.5
Utah showed they can fill up the box score after hanging 15 on Ohio State in Columbus last week. Delaware loses a few studs offensively but constantly rolls out a nasty offense littered with Canadians. In what could very well be the best game of the week, Nimbus & Co. really like the high total over here. Both teams are known to let it fly offensively, and defensively can be stout but love to move the ball in transition. I also like the Hens +2.5 here. The line moved rather quickly on Tuesday after opening at -1.5 Utes, which I believe is a mistake. I understand the altitude argument, but I think this game is a true toss up. It will be a real damn shame when this game ultimately ends 13-10 Utah, but it would be really chill if Delaware wins outright or loses a 15-13 thriller.
Manhattan ML vs Monmouth -175
Nimbus is really laying it out on the line early in the season. Dropping a road favorite ML in a February mid-tier matchup. Allegedly Monmouth has a good defense, but their offense is known to struggle, especially earlier in the season. On the other hand, The Jaspers enter year 2 under Doug Sage, and have shown the ability to win against fellow mid-tier opponents. Nimbus’ source thinks the Hawks win this Metropolitan Area matchup, but I think it’s a little bit of favoritism. Gimme me the Jaspers to win this one.
- Big Ten Parlay (+444) (Suggested 1u to win 4.4u)
- Michigan +2.5 @ North Carolina -115
- Hopkins ML vs. Georgetown -180
- Penn State -4 @ Villanova -115
- Hail Mary Parlay (Odds/Picks Depend on Home State) (Suggested 1.5u to win 13u)
- Army ML @ UMass
- Hopkins ML vs Gtown
- Bellarmine ML vs Mercyhurst
- High Point ML @ VMI
- Penn State ML @ Villanova
- Maryland ML @ Loyola
- Rutgers ML vs. Stony Brook
- Denver ML @ Air Force
- Boston University ML @. Siena
- Delaware @ Utah O25.5
- Manhattan ML @ Monmouth
ACC Men’s Lax Preview
#1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
College Lacrosse goes through South Bend, IN. It’s simply a fact of life in today’s college lacrosse landscape. The Back-to-Back Natty Champs look poised to make a run at the 3-peat. Although Notre Dame will miss renowned boozehound and Tewaaraton winner Pat Kavanaugh, First Team All-American midfielder Eric Dobson, and college lacrosse’s best goalie in Liam Entenmann, the Irish reload with an absolutely stacked roster.
For reference, Kevin Corrigan’s group had FOUR 1st Team nods on the 2025 Nike Lacrosse Preseason Men’s D1 All-American list, and 5 more players across the 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention teams. The Irish offense will be led by the #2 ranked player in the country Chris Kavanaugh, and feature the likes of returners Jake Taylor (MDW hero in ‘23 and ‘24), Devon McLane (left IB job in NYC to cradle for another year), and 2 sport star Jordan Faison. Oh wait, there’s more. How about adding 3 five-stars in the 2024 recruiting class, is that good? Rumor has it freshman Brady Pokorny from Darien dropped 13 goals in 2 scrimmages, and the #1 ranked player in the class of 2024, Matt Jeffrey, missed all of fall ball as a member of ND’s football team.
Defensively, Will Donovan and Shawn Lyght are 2 of the nation’s best, and will be joined by Harvard transfer Greg Campisi. Ben Ramsey headlines a SSDM unit that also includes Christian Alacqua and ex-quarterback Tyler Buchner.
On top of all this, how about one of the nation’s best face-off guys in Will Lynch? It doesn’t even matter who plays goalie for the Irish this spring, because with a roster this loaded in front of him, a 50% save percentage will be more than enough.
The ACC is still an absolute gauntlet don’t get me wrong, but until proven otherwise, the Irish are the team to beat in Division 1 Lacrosse.
#2 Syracuse Orange
Is this the year Syracuse is finally “back”? Every year, Nimbus and college lacrosse fans ask the same damn question, only to watch the Orange crumble when it matters most—whether it’s the ACC tournament or the NCAA tournament. Syracuse has been riding the hype train for so long, you’d think they were headed for a 3-peat of their own, but year after year, they hit a wall in May. It’s been a decade since they last sniffed an ACC title and even longer since they made a real run in the NCAA tournament.
But Nimbus knows ball, and even though this goes against every fiber in my being, I have them at the #2 spot this year. Syracuse’s Golden Boy Joey Spallina enters his junior year as the face of an absolutely stacked offense including fellow juniors Finn Thomson, Michael Leo, and Luke Rhoa. Leading scorer Owen Hiltz returns for his last go around, and sophomore Trey Deere looks to take a huge step in year 2. On paper, this offense alone should be able to carry ‘Cuse to an ACC title game and maybe even a Final Four, but the game ain’t played on paper.
The loss of star goalie Will Mark definitely raises eyebrows, but Billy Dwan and 2-way midfielder Sam English anchor an underrated ACC defense. I don’t expect this defense to be elite, but with an offense that talented, they’ll definitely be sufficient.
So while my gut tells me something might change, I’m still waiting for the Orange to prove it. Until then, I’ll just keep watching the same story unfold—lots of regular season hype to ultimately watching the Final Four from the couch.
#3 Virginia Cavaliers
Lars Tiffany’s group is starving after getting bounced by unseeded Maryland on Memorial Day Weekend a year ago. Despite losing Tewaaraton finalist Connor Shellenberger, NCAA’s all time leading scorer Payton Cormier (took him 6 years though…), and Tufts transfer Jack Boyden, the Hoos offense appears talented enough to take them back to championship weekend. Former #1 ranked recruit McCabe Million is back for his sophomore campaign after dropping 66 points as a freshman, and will lead the offense in 2025. Senior Griffin Schutz, Duke transfer Charles Balsamo, and Bryant transfer Johnny Hackett project as a top 5 midfield in all of college lacrosse. Former five-stars in sophomore Ryan Colsey and senior Truitt Sunderland figure to get the starting nod at attack as well. Factor in a number of new five-stars joining the ranks in Charlottesville, what’s not to love?
On the other side of the ball, SSDM, LSM, and Defense should be clicking on all cylinders. Redshirt Sophomore Joe Terenzi and freshman Hudson Hausmann are elite 2-way midfielders, Ben Wayer might be the best pole in the country, and returners Griffin Kology (older brother is the boy), Noah Chizmar, Ben Wayer, John Schroter, George Fulton, Tommy McNeal, and Will Erdmann solidify the back line and the PK.
The Hoos were able to capture “back to back” National Championships in 2019 and 2021 (no season in 2020), largely due to their success at the dot. Petey LaSalla had a decorated career for the Hoos, and since his departure in ‘22, the Hoos have been looking to fill that void. This year, there’s potential for a 2 headed monster at the dot in the form of Anthony Ghobriel and ND transfer Andrew Greenspan. If Ghobriel (55.6% in ‘24) can build upon the success he found last year, and Greenspan can spell him when needed, the Hoos can get the ball to their star-studded offense all the more.
The only question mark on this year’s UVA squad is at goalie. ‘24 Starter Matthew Nunes may need ear replacement surgery after his performance in April and May of last season. This kid spent so much time listening to the PING of a Gilman goal that he’s on a first-name basis with his ENT specialist. After Nunes melted like the Wicked Witch of the West in ACCs and NCAAs last year, Tiffany opted to give Kyle Morris the start against Hop in the NCAA quarters, and the now-junior made 8 saves in a Double OT thriller that propelled the Hoos to the Final Four. Nimbus will have his eyes on the Hoos goalie in 2025.
#4 Duke Blue Devils
Duke at #4 in the ACC should tell you all you need to know about the prowess of the conference. The ACC is beyond stacked yet again, and unfortunately for the Blue Devils, graduation could not be delayed for their 2024 class. #1 overall pick in the PLL draft Brennan O’Neill, fellow attackman Dyson Williams, Michigan transfer Josh Zwada, face off specialist Jake Naso, and star defensemen Kenny Brower headline an elite group leaving Durham. However, Coach Danowski’s midfield may be leading the charge for Duke for the first time in a LONG time. All-American Andrew McAdorey leads a group that includes Benn Johnston, who dropped 29 points on the first line as a freshman, and a returning starter in junior Max Sloat. This does not mean the attack line will be seldom used, though. Maryland transfer Eric Malaver should feature as the #2 option behind McAdorey, and five-star Liam Kershis and Richmond transfer Luke Grayum will have big roles in the top 6. Keep an eye out for Harvard transfer Graham Blake too, he brings starting experience and a lot of juice. The Blue Devils also return starting goalie Patrick Jamison, who showed flashes of greatness as a true freshman. The only concern in Durham will be at the face off dot, as Danowski said he will approach the position “by committee,” and that he has “no idea” what to expect just yet. The pieces are there for the Blue Devils no doubt, but will they be able to build enough chemistry in a few short weeks before the start of ACC play? We shall see.
#5 North Carolina Tar Heels
Since their heartbreaking Final Four loss to UVA in 2021, UNC has gone just 3-13 in ACC play, struggling to find consistency in a conference that demands excellence. Last year marked the start of a new era in Chapel Hill, with freshmen Owen Duffy and Dominic Pietramala—two former five-star recruits—stepping into major offensive roles. The flashes of potential were there, with impressive wins over Duke and Penn, but close losses to High Point, Army, and ‘Cuse held them back from taking the next step. Now, the big question for the Heels is whether offseason growth will lead to the breakthrough they need. With Year 1 under their belt, Duffy and Pietramala are expected to lead the charge and get Carolina back to the promised land. With no NCAA titles since their 2016 championship, the pressure is mounting for this new era to finally deliver.
The foundation is set, with a more established offense under Jon Thompson and a defense led by Dave Pietramala. The team has had another year to build chemistry, and the hope is they’ll be more fluid and cohesive in Year 2. Talented freshmen Caden Harshbarger and Mason Szewczyk project to start immediately, and former SSDM Ty English transitions to offense to round out the midfield. Princeton transfer Michael Gianforcaro will provide elite netminding, and maybe another magical goalie goal.
UNC won’t have time to ease into the season, though. They open against the reigning back-to-back Big Ten champs, Michigan, and face a brutal out-of-conference schedule that includes Hopkins, Penn, Princeton, and Army. If the Tar Heels are going to prove that their offseason growth has paid off, they’ll have plenty of chances to do so. The pieces are in place, and now it’s time for this new era to deliver.