The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and the Toledo Rockets meet Saturday in college basketball action from Savage Arena. Louisiana is currently 1-0 on the young season following an opener win over Youngstown State. As for Toledo, they posted a blowout win over Detroit Mercy in their first game of the year. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns

The Cajuns are coming off a pretty nice season in 2022-23, going 26-8 overall with a 13-5 record in the Sun Belt for a second-place finish among the standings. Louisiana was able to power out a championship run in the conference tournament, but ended up falling to Tennessee in the First Round of the big dance. 

In their first action of the 2023-24 season versus Youngstown State, Louisiana performed pretty well. The Cajuns scored 35 points in the first half and 37 more in the second on the way to a 72-62 win. Tops in scoring was Themus Fulks with 20 points and seven assists. Joe Charles doubled up with 13 points and 10 rebounds as well. 

Toledo Rockets

Over on the Toledo side, they had a great run last year but hit the wall in a rough finish. The Rockets went 27-8 overall with a 16-2 result in the MAC for a regular-season championship. Toledo took a loss to Kent State in the conference tournament championship game however, and then lost to Michigan in the first round of the NIT. 

Back on Monday versus Detroit Mercy, Toledo took control from the start with 51 first-half points. The Rockets gave up just 25 points in the second and bagged the blowout win 94-60. Ra’Heim Moss was the team’s top scorer with 15 points and eight rebounds. Javan Simmons added 14 points, and Dante Maddox had 12 points with six boards. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to stay with Toledo. We should have a pretty fun matchup here regardless, though. The Rockets came out of the gate strong versus Detroit Mercy, hitting 50.8 percent of their shots from the floor and 60 percent (12-of-20) from 3-point range. Toledo was solid from the line (80 percent), snagged 32 rebounds and had 18 team assists in a nice all-around effort. 

As for Louisiana, they didn’t shoot very well against Youngstown State (35.4 percent) and got out-rebounded 43-38. The Penguins were miserable from 3-point range with just 8.7 percent made (2-of-23) however, which helped immensely. Toledo likely won’t open the door that wide in game two, so I like the Rockets to manage the cover here.