Purdue vs McNeese Prediction 3/22/25 College Basketball Picks Today
McNeese State (28-6) vs. Purdue (23-11)
March 22, 2025 12:10 pm EDT
The Line: Purdue -5.5; Over/Under: 143.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The McNeese Cowboys and Purdue Boilermakers meet Saturday in the college basketball Second Round at the Amica Mutual Pavilion. Here’s a Purdue vs McNeese Prediction. This article will include a Purdue vs McNeese Pick.
McNeese Cowboys Betting Preview
The McNeese Cowboys recently beat Lamar, Stephen F. Austin, Northwestern State, and Clemson. McNeese has won 11 straight games and has lost just once since December 22.
The McNeese Cowboys are averaging 77.5 points on 47.9 percent shooting and allowing 64.4 points on 40.6 percent shooting. Alyn Breed is averaging 17.5 points and 3 rebounds, while Javohn Garcia is averaging 12.6 points and 1.9 assists. Sincere Parker is the third double-digit scorer and Christian Shumate is dishing 0.9 assists. The McNeese Cowboys are shooting 35.7 percent from beyond the arc and 70.4 percent from the free throw line. The McNeese Cowboys are allowing 32.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 33.4 rebounds per game.
Purdue Boilermakers Betting Preview
The Purdue Boilermakers recently played Illinois, USC, Michigan, and High Point. Purdue has seen six of its 11 losses come in its last 11 games.
The Purdue Boilermakers are averaging 77.9 points on 49 percent shooting and allowing 71.1 points on 45.5 percent shooting. Trey Kaufman-Renn is averaging 20.2 points and 6.3 rebounds, while Braden Smith is averaging 16.2 points and 4.6 rebounds. Fletcher Loyer is the third double-digit scorer and Daniel Jacobson is grabbing 3.5 rebounds. The Purdue Boilermakers are shooting 38.5 percent from beyond the arc and 73 percent from the free throw line. The Purdue Boilermakers are allowing 30.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 29.6 rebounds per game.
Why the Purdue Boilermakers will win
- Purdue has won each of its last seven NCAA Tournament day games.
- McNeese State has lost 20 of its last 21 Saturday games against non-Conference opponents.
- Purdue has won the first half in each of its last six NCAA Tournament games against a lower seed.
Why the McNeese State Cowboys will win
- McNeese State has won each of its last 12 games.
- McNeese State has won the first half in 12 of its last 13 day games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of McNeese State’s last six day games have produced a total of 142 or fewer points.
- Each of Purdue’s last four NCAA Tournament games have produced a total of 138 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Purdue ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for field goal percentage this season (49.6%).
- Purdue ranks T357th among Division 1 teams for blocks per game this season (1.7).
- McNeese State ranks 13th among Division 1 teams for point differential per game this season (+13.2).
- McNeese State ranks 13th among Division 1 teams for net rating this season (+20.0).
Purdue vs McNeese Injury Report
Purdue will continue to be without Daniel Jacobsen due to a knee injury. McNeese will continue to be without Alyn Breed due to a knee injury.
Purdue vs McNeese Prediction
Purdue is going to be favored because of the name and there is a talent gap. Purdue is the more battle tested team and if it shoots top-20 from the field and from three like it has on the season, the Boilermakers advance to the Sweet 16. However, Purdue has been beatable over the last month, and McNeese is a physical, nasty group defensively that’s top-20 in scoring defense and top-30 in field goal percentage defense.
McNeese had Clemson in hell in the first round and looked like the tougher, hungrier group against a Tigers team that hangs its hat on those traits. If McNeese can do that to Clemson, I’m confident it can do similar things to Purdue. I kind of like McNeese to win this game outright, but I’ll grab the points for insurance as well.
