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Big Ten CommunicationsPublished: 2/1/2024, Last updated: 2/2/2024
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Johns Hopkins Tabbed Preseason Favorite in Big Ten Men's Lacrosse Poll

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Johns Hopkins is considered the favorite to win the 2024 Big Ten Men's Lacrosse regular season title, nudging out defending champion Penn State in balloting for the preseason coaches poll released Thursday.

Maryland, with six conference titles to its credit, was picked third ahead of Michigan, which captured last year's Big Ten Tournament championship. Ohio State and Rutgers round out the poll.

The Big Ten also released a Players to Watch List, comprised of three players from each of its six programs. Among those listed are Penn State's TJ Malone, the reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, and Penn State goalie Jack Fracyon, the 2023 Big Ten Specialist of the Year.

The Watch List includes five All-Big Ten First Team selections from last year — Russell Melendez of Johns Hopkins, Maryland's Luke Wierman and Ajax Zappitello along with Facyon and Malone. Four members of the 2023 All-Big Ten Second Team are also on the list.

The NCAA lacrosse season begins Saturday with Big Ten play commencing March 23. The Big Ten Tournament opens April 27 with quarterfinal matches on campus before the action shifts to Columbus, Ohio for the semifinals on May 2 and the championship game on May 4.

Five Big Ten teams are ranked in the Inside Lacrosse poll: Penn State (No. 4), Johns Hopkins (No. 5), Maryland (No. 6), Michigan (No. 11) and Rutgers (No. 15).

BIG TEN MEN'S LACROSSE PRESEASON POLL

1. Johns Hopkins
2. Penn State
3. Maryland
4. Michigan
5. Ohio State
6. Rutgers

BIG TEN MEN'S LACROSSE PLAYERS TO WATCH LIST
NameSchoolYr.PositionHometown
Brett MartinJohns HopkinsSr.MidfieldDix Hills, N.Y.
Russell Melendez +Johns HopkinsSr.AttackSeverna Park, Md.
Scott V. Smith ^Johns HopkinsSr.DefenseBerwyn, Pa.
Logan McNaneyMarylandGr.GoalieCorning, N.Y.
Luke Wierman +MarylandGr.FaceoffWest Chester, Pa.
Ajax Zappitello +MarylandSr.DefensePortland, Ore.
Carson BilligMichiganSo.MidfieldBrighton, Mich.
Bo LockwoodMichiganSo.AttackHartland, Mich.
Hunter TaylorMichiganSo.GoalieRockville, Md.
Connor CmielOhio StateSr.MidfieldRocky River, Ohio
Gannon MatthewsOhio StateJr.AttackEagle, Idaho
Bobby Van Buren ^Ohio StateJr.DefenseWingate, N.C.
Jack Fracyon +Penn StateJr.GoalieAnnapolis, Md.
TJ Malone +Penn StateGr.AttackWest Chester, Pa.
Matt TraynorPenn StateJr.Attack/MidfieldDowingtown, Pa.
Jack AimoneRutgersSr.MidfieldRingoes, N.J.
Shane Knobloch ^RutgersSr.MidfieldMoorestown, N.J.
Ross Scott ^RutgersGr.AttackWest Linn, Ore.

+ 2023 All-Big Ten First Team
^ 2023 All-Big Ten Second Team
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