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Automatic Qualifiers and At-Large Teams

The Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship is a 16-team, single-elimination tournament.  Seven conferences will receive automatic qualification.  The remaining teams are selected at large.  Conferences with Automatic Qualifiers (AQs) are:
American East Conference
Colonial Athletic Conference
Eastern College Athletic Association
Great Western Lacrosse League
Ivy Group
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
Patriot League
See conferences for members and current standings.

A team must play a minimum of 10 games against Division I opponents during the regular season to be considered for selection.  To be considered as an at-large selection, a team must have a .500 or better record against all opponents.


Primary Factors for Selecting At-Large Teams

The Division I Men's Lacrosse Committee employs criteria specified in NCAA Bylaws.  When selecting teams for possible at-large berths, primary factors considered when reviewing teams' won-loss records and strength of schedule are (in priority order) as follows:
  1. Results against teams in descending order, as determined by the "normal RPI [Ratings Percentage Index] rank" used during the selection process, that is, the record against teams ranked 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20, and team ranked greater than 20. See current results against teams ranked by RPI.


  2. Strength-of-schedule index, which is based on the ten highest-ranking opponents in the RPI mentioned above. See current SOS based on opponents' RPI ratings.


  3. "Normal RPI rank" based on teams' entire Division I schedule.  This factor includes Division I winning percentage, opponents' records, and opponents' strength of schedule. Current RPI ratings.

  4. All three rankings are listed here.



Secondary Factors for Selecting At-Large Teams

If an analysis of the primary selection factors listed above does not result in a decision by the committee regarding at-large selections, the following secondary criteria are evaluated (although not in priority order):
  • Head-to-head competition.
  • Results against common opponents.
  • Regional advisory committee (FAC) rankings.
  • Results against teams not under consideration.


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