Gonzaga vs McNeese State Prediction Basketball Picks 3-21-24

The McNeese State Cowboys and the Gonzaga Bulldogs meet Thursday in NCAA Tournament First Round college basketball action from Delta Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game. Here’s a McNeese vs Gonzaga prediction. We will examine:

• The McNeese recent form and player performance
• The Gonzaga recent form and player performance
• Recent betting trends and streaks involving McNeese
• Recent betting trends and streaks involving Gonzaga
• Recent betting trends in games played between McNeese and Gonzaga
• A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the McNeese vs Gonzaga game

McNeese State Cowboys Betting Preview

The Cowboys lost a couple of games over their first seven outings this year, but have only fallen once (to SE Louisiana 77-74) since then. McNeese State is on a nice 11-game win streak right now, taking out Houston Christian, New Orleans, Lamar and Nicholls in their last four.

Matched up against Nicholls in their game last Wednesday, the Cowboys jumped out to a 48-32 edge by halftime. McNeese kept the pace from there on a 44-44 run and took the win 92-76. Leading team scorer Shahada Wells finished with 27 points, six assists and four rebounds.

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Gonzaga Bulldogs Betting Preview

Over on the Bulldogs’ side, they did have one rough 4-4 run in December/January but have otherwise stayed quite consistent themselves this year. Gonzaga had a nine-game win streak going when they beat San Francisco in the conference tournament, but then fell to Saint Mary’s.

In the Saint Mary’s game last Tuesday, the Bulldogs came out of the break with a 31-27 deficit. Gonzaga didn’t get any closer than that on a 38-33 second half and ended up falling 69-60. Anton Watson was the top team scorer with his 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Gonzaga Bulldogs Team Facts

• Gonzaga has won each of its last 21 games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
• Each of Gonzaga’s last seven games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 151+ points.
• Gonzaga has won the first half in each of its last nine games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

McNeese State Cowboys Team Facts

• McNeese State has won each of its last 17 night games.
• Nine of McNeese State’s last 11 night games against non-Conference opponents have produced a total of 148 or fewer points.
• McNeese State has won the first half in 10 of its last 11 games.

Matchup/League Facts

• Gonzaga ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for field goals made per game this season (32.3).
• Gonzaga ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for field goal percentage this season (51.9%).
• McNeese State ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for point differential per game this season (+19.0).
• McNeese State ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal percentage this season (38.2%).

McNeese vs Gonzaga Prediction

I’ll lean toward Gonzaga here. The Bulldogs need a return to form after a listless game versus a great Saint Mary’s team, though. Gonzaga put up 44.4 percent from the field in that one but also shot just 18.2 percent from 3-point range. The rough 39-22 rebounding deficit was a killer as well. The Bulldogs had scored 70 or more points in nine straight games (all wins) prior to that 60-point dud.

As for McNeese, I could see them hanging around for a while here. The Cowboys shot a blistering 61.4 percent from the floor in their last outing, but did come up with just 22 rebounds and hit a tepid 77.1 percent during a busy day at the line (27-of-35). That makes 76 or more points in five straight games for McNeese, and they’ll probably need to hit that threshold again in order to keep the pace on Thursday.