The McNeese State Cowboys and the Southeastern Louisiana Lions meet Monday in college basketball action from the University Center. Here’s a SE Louisiana vs McNeese State Prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Southeastern Louisiana vs McNeese State pick.
McNeese State Cowboys Betting Preview
The Cowboys were sitting at .500 on the year back in mid-December, but since then they’ve been much better in the record column. During that 5-5 opening run, McNeese beat the College of Biblical Studies, North Texas, Illinois State, Longwood, and LeTourneau. A long win streak came next as the Cowboys dispatched Louisiana, New Orleans, SE Louisiana, East Texas A&M, Northwestern State, Nicholls, Houston Christian, Lamar, Stephen F. Austin, UT Rio Grande Valley, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Following a loss to Nicholls State, the Cowboys beat Incarnate Word, Northwestern State, and East Texas A&M in the next trio. That gave McNeese State a 19-6 overall run through their first 25 games of the season.
In their Saturday matchup with New Orleans, the Cowboys were in firm control after the first half on a 42-25 advantage. McNeese hit a 39-36 deficit the rest of the way but still pulled off the 78-64 win in the end. DJ Richards led the team on 21 points in 24 minutes, while Brandon Murray came off the bench for 17 points, four rebounds, three assists, four blocks, and two steals as he filled up the stat sheet in the victory.
Southeastern Louisiana Lions Betting Preview
Over on the Southeastern Louisiana side, they had a pretty rough run initially this season, but they’ve been much better in the 2025 calendar year. The Lions went just 6-8 over their first 14 outings. The losses in that time were versus UAB, Mississippi State, Wyoming, Gardner-Webb, Nicholls, Louisiana, McNeese State, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Southeastern Louisiana would go 6-0 in their next half-dozen outings with wins over UTRGV, New Orleans, Stephen F. Austin, Northwestern State, East Texas A&M, and Incarnate Word. Following a loss to Houston Christian, the Lions took out New Orleans, Lamar, Incarnate Word, and Houston Christian in the next four games. The result through 25 games was a 16-9 record for the Lions.
Matched up against Nicholls State over the weekend, the Lions were in trouble with a 38-33 halftime deficit. SE Louisiana came back to force overtime, however, and eventually won it 84-81 in thrilling fashion. The Lions’ lead scorer Sam Hines finished with 25 points, four rebounds and three assists with a pair of blocks. Jakevion Buckley added 23 points with eight rebounds and five assists in 37 minutes of work as well.
Why the Southeastern Louisiana Lions will win
- Southeastern Louisiana has won each of its last 10 games after coming off overtime.
- McNeese State has lost each of its last three games at Pride Roofing University Center.
- The home team has won the first half in four of the last five games between McNeese State and Southeastern Louisiana.
Why the McNeese State Cowboys will win
- McNeese State has won each of its last 16 night games against the Southland Conference.
- McNeese State has won the first half in each of its last four night games at Pride Roofing University Center.
SE Louisiana vs McNeese State Prediction
I’ll just stay with McNeese here. Both teams are doing well lately though, so it should be a fun matchup. On Saturday the Cowboys missed six of their nine free throws (33.3 percent) but otherwise did pretty well overall in a win over New Orleans. McNeese hit 44.4 percent from the field with 36 rebounds, 17 team assists, and just six turnovers. The Cowboys benefitted from 20 Privateers turnovers on 26 points, though. That makes four straight wins for McNeese State, but it was the first time they’d eclipsed 67 points since way back on January 27 against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Back on December 30 when these teams last met up, McNeese State powered out a dominant 79-51 win at home. The Cowboys shot well in that one (49.1 percent); the Lions did not (39.6 percent). McNeese also posted a solid 18-of-22 (81.8 percent) from the line alongside a 37-29 rebounding advantage. The 32 points off a whopping 22 Southeastern Louisiana turnovers were helpful as well. I don’t think the Lions will be quite so sloppy in this home rematch, but McNeese should still be in firm control of the outcome.