Death, taxes and Maryland in the final four.
That has been the refrain ever since John Tillman took over the Terps in 2011. With one of the top defensemen in the nation and elite reinforcements arriving via the transfer portal, they’re primed for another run at Memorial Day.
Maryland is ranked No. 1 in the USA Lacrosse Division I Men’s Preseason Top 20, presented by CWENCH Hydration. Compiled by USA Lacrosse Magazine staff and contributors, the rankings factor input from college coaches.
It was another Tillman masterclass in 2025, as the Terps overcame offensive shortcomings and fits of inconsistent play to reach the NCAA championship game. Several multi-year contributors have graduated — namely attackman Daniel Kelly and goalie Logan McNaney — but the Terps added an impressive transfer haul consisting of former Yale attackmen Leo Johnson and Chris Lyons, ex-Yale defenseman Michael Alexander and former Vermont faceoff ace Henry Dodge. They also boast the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in Will Schaller.
Riding the momentum of its first championship weekend appearance in more than a decade, Syracuse checks in at No. 2. Princeton, Georgetown and North Carolina round out the top five.
Notably, 2025 NCAA champion Cornell begins 2026 at No. 6 following the graduation of Tewaaraton Award winner CJ Kirst and several more high-profile players.
