NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Betting Odds & Picks: Best Bets for North Carolina vs. Princeton
EAST HARTFORD, CT – MAY 29: Collin Krieg #39 of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on during the game against the Virginia Cavaliers during the Division I Men’s Lacrosse Semifinals held at Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field on May 29, 2021 in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Larry French/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
College lacrosse is back for Week 4 with another trio of Friday matchups, including two Ivy League vs. ACC clashes. We swept our best bets last week, going 7-0 for +6.875 units and improving to 24-5 for 18.78 units on the season so far. Let’s take a look at my favorite bet for the late game featuring North Carolina and Princeton.
If you’re an avid bettor who’s new to lacrosse or a lacrosse fan who’s new to betting, check out my guide on how to bet on lacrosse for some tips to use when placing a lacrosse bet.
No. 18 North Carolina vs. No. 15 Princeton
| North Carolina (-2.5) Odds | -200 |
| Princeton (+2.5) Odds | +150 |
| Total | 24.5 |
| Time | Friday · 8 p.m. ET |
| TV | ACC Network |
Odds via BetMGM Sportsbook
North Carolina and Princeton both enter this game off a loss to a Big Ten opponent. The Tar Heels opened as 1.5-point favorites and have since moved to as high as -2.5 at some sportsbooks. I expect the Tar Heels to get the win, but the spread has gotten too high for me to make it a best bet. Instead, I’m targeting the total of 24.5 on BetMGM.
Both defenses rank in the top 20 in adjusted defensive efficiency, with Princeton posting a 25.9% (20th) and North Carolina at 24.6% (12th). A lot of both teams’ success can be traced back to their goaltenders. Princeton’s Michael Gianforcaro has a 63% save percentage this season and the Tigers’ 65.7% adjusted save percentage is the best in the nation.
On the other side, UNC’s Collin Krieg has stopped 59% of the shots he’s faced and the Tar Heels’ adjusted save percentage is still top 20 at 56.9% according to Lacrosse Reference.
As far as pacing, Princeton ranks middle of the pack at 41st during competitive situations and North Carolina actually takes their first shot in a possession the fastest on average. Yet, the Tar Heels rank just 48th in adjusted offensive efficiency and turn the ball over on 29.8% of their possessions, rendering their fast pace less of a factor in affecting this total.
Ultimately, this total is a couple points too high. Bet this Friday night matchup to stay under 24.5 points at -120 on BetMGM.
Pick: Under 24.5 (-110)
Want to learn about the best North Carolina sports betting apps before betting launches in the state on March 11? Find out more.
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