McNeese State vs Lamar Prediction 3/12/25 College Basketball Picks Today

The McNeese Cowboys and the Lamar Cardinals meet Wednesday in college basketball action from the Legacy Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a McNeese State vs Lamar Prediction.

Matchup History

McNeese swept the regular season meetings between these two teams, with a 75-64 win at home over the Cardinals on January 18^th, 2025, before nabbing a 68-66 win over the Cowboys on March 1^st, 2025.

McNeese Recap

The McNeese Cowboys booked their spot in the Southland title game after ending up with an 83-64 win over Northwestern State last time out.

Cowboys Looking For Back-To-Back Conference Tournament Titles

Javohn Garcia leads McNeese in scoring with 12.6 PPG along with 3.5 RPG while Sincere Parker has 12.4 PPG with 2.6 RPG. Christian Shumate has 10.5 PPG with 6.4 RPG while DJ Richards Jr. has 10 PPG with 2.1 RPG to cap off the scoring in double figures for McNeese so far this season. Joe Charles has 9 PPG and a team-high 7 RPG. Quadir Copeland has 8.7 PPG with 3.4 RPG and a team-high 4.5 APG as well to lead the Cowboys in the assist department. As a team, McNeese is averaging 77.5 PPG on 47.9% shooting from the field, 35.7% from three and 70.4% from the foul line this season.

Why the McNeese State Cowboys will win

• McNeese State has won each of its last 23 home games against the Southland Conference.
• Lamar has lost three of its last four day games at The Legacy Center.

Lamar Recap

The Lamar Cardinals punched their ticket to the conference championship after knocking off Nicholls by a final score of 58-55 in their last game.

Lamar Looking For First NCAA Tournament Appearance Since 2012

Alexis Marmolejos leads the Cardinals in scoring with 14.4 PPG along with 3.1 RPG and 2.1 APG while Ja’Sean Jackson has 12.1 PPG with 2.5 RPG and a team-high 3.7 APG to lead the Cardinals in the assist department so far this season. Andrew Holifield has 10.3 PPG with 5.5 RPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Lamar up to this point in the year. Adam Hamilton has 9.5 PPG with a team-high 7 RPG to lead Lamar on the glass while Cody Pennebaker has 7.2 PPG with 4.3 RPG and 1.8 APG up to this point in the year. As a team, Lamar is averaging 70.8 PPG on 43.3% shooting from the field, 36.2% from three-point range and 69% from the foul line this season.

Why the Lamar Cardinals will win

• Lamar has won eight of its last nine day games against the Southland Conference.

Total Points Facts

• Each of McNeese State’s last 12 Conference Tournament games have produced a total of 133+ points.
• Each of Lamar’s last three day games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 129 or fewer points.

McNeese State vs Lamar Prediction

I’m on Lamar and the points here. I just think this is far too many points for a title game. While McNeese has been the class of the Southland the last two seasons, the fact is Lamar was a great road team this season. While in most situations, this wouldn’t be a true road game, McNeese hosted the Southland Conference tournament, and Lamar kept it within the number in this building earlier this season. I think this is a spot where Lamar leaves it all on the line to keep their season alive so give Lamar and the points in this one.