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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
+ 2023 All-Big Ten First Team
^ 2023 All-Big Ten Second Team
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
| Name | School | Yr. | Position | Hometown |
| Brett Martin | Johns Hopkins | Sr. | Midfield | Dix Hills, N.Y. |
| Russell Melendez + | Johns Hopkins | Sr. | Attack | Severna Park, Md. |
| Scott V. Smith ^ | Johns Hopkins | Sr. | Defense | Berwyn, Pa. |
| Logan McNaney | Maryland | Gr. | Goalie | Corning, N.Y. |
| Luke Wierman + | Maryland | Gr. | Faceoff | West Chester, Pa. |
| Ajax Zappitello + | Maryland | Sr. | Defense | Portland, Ore. |
| Carson Billig | Michigan | So. | Midfield | Brighton, Mich. |
| Bo Lockwood | Michigan | So. | Attack | Hartland, Mich. |
| Hunter Taylor | Michigan | So. | Goalie | Rockville, Md. |
| Connor Cmiel | Ohio State | Sr. | Midfield | Rocky River, Ohio |
| Gannon Matthews | Ohio State | Jr. | Attack | Eagle, Idaho |
| Bobby Van Buren ^ | Ohio State | Jr. | Defense | Wingate, N.C. |
| Jack Fracyon + | Penn State | Jr. | Goalie | Annapolis, Md. |
| TJ Malone + | Penn State | Gr. | Attack | West Chester, Pa. |
| Matt Traynor | Penn State | Jr. | Attack/Midfield | Dowingtown, Pa. |
| Jack Aimone | Rutgers | Sr. | Midfield | Ringoes, N.J. |
| Shane Knobloch ^ | Rutgers | Sr. | Midfield | Moorestown, N.J. |
| Ross Scott ^ | Rutgers | Gr. | Attack | West Linn, Ore. |
+ 2023 All-Big Ten First Team
^ 2023 All-Big Ten Second Team