On Sunday night, Northwestern lacrosse (15-2, 5-1 B1G) received the No. 1 seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, marking the second straight season the Wildcats have achieved that status. This is also the first time they have earned back-to-back No. 1 NCAA Tournament bids since receiving that honor three straight seasons from 2007 to 2009. Additionally, this is the 20th consecutive appearance for the program to an NCAA tournament and 25th overall.
As one of the top three seeds, Northwestern will receive a first-round bye. The first round game between Denver and Stanford will take place in Evanston on May 9. The Wildcats will face the winners of that game in the second round at home on May 12, which could include a potential Final Four rematch with the Pioneers.
If NU wins the second round, it will host the NCAA quarterfinals. Other teams in the Wildcats’ NCAA Tournament quadrant include Duke, Loyola, Richmond and No. 8 Penn. If Loyola can get past Duke and Richmond’s winner against Penn, it could find itself in a 2023 quarterfinal rematch with the Wildcats.
On the other side of the NCAA Tournament bracket is No. 2 Boston College, meaning if both teams make it far enough, a 2023 national championship rematch between Northwestern and the Eagles is still possible.
Here is the full NCAA Tournament bracket:
Northwestern is coming off back-to-back regular season and conference titles in the Big Ten and will head to the NCAA Tournament with the goal of winning a second straight national championship.
