by Jac Coyne | MCLA.us

ATLANTA – Honest question: which team would you bet your life savings on winning the 2019 Division I MCLA National Championships powered by Under Armour?

Waiting.

FRIDAY'S RESULTS | SATURDAY'S RESULTS | SUNDAY'S RESULTS

I enjoy a good wager like everyone else, but on March 4, I’m staying away from this bet.

Especially after Chapman toppled current No. 1 and reigning national champion Michigan State on Sunday, 11-9.

Honestly, I might throw $5 at Cal hoping to get some weak odds, but there is no team I’m breaking the bank for at this point. There are just too many good teams and too much we don’t know.

Watching Sunday’s game, I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if we see a third meeting in May. Chapman and Michigan State put on a show, and the drama lasted all the way to the end.

Even the shot clock, which I hate, created a little bit of excitement as the teams crunched the numbers on the fly. The Panthers’ timeout with a turnover imminent might have been the play of the game.

With Chapman beating Michigan State on Sunday, who will be the No. 1 team this week? #mcla19
— MCLA Tournament '19 (@MCLA_Tournament) March 3, 2019

At the same time, Cal, Georgia Tech, South Carolina and Concordia-Irvine took care of business. Colorado – a team I would have put a dime on last week – got humbled by a rising Arizona State outfit, but I still feel the Buffs are a contender.

Boston College and Liberty are interesting teams and I’m starting to think Cal Poly could be the most underrated team in the country. Northeastern has my attention.

In Division II, it’s the same deal. Sure, we know it’s probably going to be a UMLC team, but which one is it?

So many moving parts, and it is awesome.

Enjoy what should be a spectacular March.

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Couple of satiated Lions after a full day of eating vs @csusmlax LIONS WIN 11-8 #lionball #allcougeverything
A post shared by LMU Men’s Lacrosse (@lmumenslacrosse) on Mar 2, 2019 at 4:08pm PST

Lions’ Share
It’s tough to catch people’s attention when you come out of nowhere.

That’s what Loyola Marymount is finding out this spring. The Lions are off to a spectacular start, posting a huge win over UC Santa Cruz, but have still been slotted behind the Banana Slugs in the last two polls.

This last poll had LMU (5-1) at No. 19 and Cruz (5-1) at No. 16, and the Lions only loss is to Division I UCLA.

I’m not trying to kill the pollsters here. There are a lot of moving parts at this time of year and it’s difficult to track all of the results. And I’ve always found that polls, regardless of the division, tend to track a week or two behind what is actually occurring.

It’s a fascinating phenomenon, to be honest.

With its win over No. 17 Cal State San Marcos this weekend, I’m sure things will start resonating more and LMU will find itself with an appropriate ranking.

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The team takes on Washington DC after a great overtime win against George Washington Univ. #broncolacrosse #wmulax #CapitolBuilding
A post shared by Western Michigan Men Lacrosse (@wmulacrosse) on Mar 2, 2019 at 11:57am PST

My Top Fives

Division I
1. South Carolina (5-0) – The last of the ’18 semifinalists still sporting a perfect mark.
2. California (6-0) – ASU and Cal Poly wins get better and better.
3. Arizona State (5-1) – Devils dominated the Buffs. Impressive victory.
4. Georgia Tech (6-0) – It’s all about staying healthy for the Bugs.
5. Concordia-Irvine (5-0) – Michigan State Tuesday. Statement game for the Eagles.

Division II
1. Minn.-Duluth (2-0) – As St. Thomas found out at nationals, FGCU will grind with you.
2. St. Thomas (1-0) – GVSU is next up on the docket in a semifinal rematch.
3. Kennesaw State (7-0) – No. 1 and No. 2 awaiting the Owls in Nashville.
4. Loyola Marymount (5-1) – Best D-II team in the Pacific Time Zone.
5. Dayton (3-0) – Two ranked wins can’t be ignored, despite being ignored last week.

Rusty gate anyone?
There’s a time and place.
Jake Pistotnik on the ride. (And he didn’t wave or anything. Just kept playing.)
: @cmlyneis @MCLA @Inside_Lacrosse #GoBears pic.twitter.com/1DzBXuaz9j
— Cal Men's Lacrosse (@CalBearsLax) March 4, 2019

Slides & Rides
Division I
Cam Wengreniuk scoring four goals and the Lopes defense looking serviceable is a good sign for Grand Canyon. BYU and Concordia over the next two weeks will determine what this season holds…solid opening weekend for Buffalo. The Bulls bounced Pitt, Indiana and Purdue on the road. Georgia Tech and South Carolina. That’s a big upgrade…rough weekend for Simon Fraser. Same for Davenport…Boston College’s wins over Georgia and Florida State are going to come in handy…Arkansas’ run was finally stopped by Southern Methodist…keep an eye on Western Michigan.

Division II
College of Charleston taking down No. 25 UNC-Charlotte is an eye-opener…an incredible number of D-II nationals spots up for grabs. It’s going to be an exciting race…Nashville Judgement II starts on Thursday with a strong slate of D-II action and it starts with Grand Valley State and Florida Gulf Coast going head-to-head.

Get those nominations for Commanding Performance of the Week powered by Under Armour and those for Pearl’s Goalie of the Week to [email protected] pronto.