As the 2026 NCAA Division II men’s lacrosse season approaches, anticipation is building across the country, and for good reason. With championship contenders returning, elite conferences stacked with depth, and national powers spread across the country, Division II lacrosse continues to prove itself as one of the most competitive landscapes in the sport.

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That competitiveness is reflected in the USA Lacrosse Division II Men’s Preseason Top 20. According to USA Lacrosse, the reigning national champions, Adelphi, enter the season holding the No. 1 ranking, setting the standard for the rest of the division.

USA Lacrosse Division II Men’s Preseason Top 20

1. Adelphi
2. Tampa
3. Saint Anselm
4. Wingate
5. Lenoir-Rhyne
6. Maryville
7. Seton Hill
8. Lewis
9. Molloy
10. Anderson
11. Pace
12. Mercy
13. Bentley
14. Newberry
15. Colorado Mesa
16. Flagler
17. Rockhurst
18. North Greenville
19. Belmont Abbey
20. UIndy

Also considered: Assumption, Embry-Riddle, Georgian Court, Montevallo, Rollins, Saint Leo, Wilmington (Del.)
(Rankings courtesy of USA Lacrosse)

Adelphi Leads the Way — Again

At the top of the rankings sits Adelphi, a program that has firmly cemented itself as the gold standard in Division II lacrosse. Fresh off consecutive national championships, the Panthers enter 2026 as the preseason No. 1 team in the nation and the clear favorite in the Northeast-10 Conference (NE10). Adelphi was picked to repeat as conference champions for a third straight season, receiving all available first-place votes and topping the poll with 64 points.

But Adelphi isn’t alone in the NE10. Ranked No. 3 Saint Anselm, No. 11 Pace, and No. 13 Bentley all land inside the Top 15, reinforcing the NE10’s reputation as the deepest and most demanding conference in Division II. On any given weekend, conference play feels like postseason lacrosse — a grind that prepares teams for long NCAA tournament runs.

National Depth Across Conferences

Beyond the NE10, the Top 20 reflects strength across multiple regions and leagues. Wingate (No. 4), Lenoir-Rhyne (No. 5), Anderson (No. 10), and Newberry (No. 14) headline the South Atlantic Conference (SAC), while Seton Hill (No. 7) continues to elevate the G-MAC profile nationally. Molloy (No. 9) and Mercy (No. 12) showcase the firepower in the East Coast Conference (ECC), while programs like Lewis and Colorado Mesa represent the continued growth of Division II lacrosse in the Midwest and West.

This widespread representation highlights the parity that defines the division. While Adelphi enters as the favorite, the margin for error is slim, and several teams possess the experience and depth to challenge for a national title.

Watch Division II Lacrosse on FloCollege

Fans won’t have to search far to follow the action this spring. FloCollege is home to many of Division II’s premier programs and conferences, offering live and on-demand coverage throughout the season.

You can watch nationally ranked teams, including Adelphi, Saint Anselm, Wingate, Lenoir-Rhyne, Seton Hill, Molloy, Anderson, Pace, Mercy, Bentley, and Newberry on FloCollege, with coverage spanning the NE10, GLIAC, Gulf South, SAC, ECC, G-MAC, and more.

From early-season matchups to conference showdowns and postseason pushes, FloCollege provides front-row access to the speed, skill, and intensity that define Division II lacrosse.

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