Vanderbilt vs McNeese State Prediction 3/19/26 College Basketball Picks Today

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

McNeese Cowboys Recap

The McNeese Cowboys come into the NCAA tournament as the 12-seed out of the Southland, posting a record of 28-5 this season.

Cowboys Looking To Spring Upset

Larry Johnson leads the Cowboys in scoring and rebounding with 16.9 PPG and 5.2 RPG while Tyshawn Archie has 14.1 PPG with 2.8 APG and Javohn Garcia has 11.3 PPG with 2.9 RPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for McNeese so far this season. DJ Richards Jr. has 8.4 PPG with 2 RPG and Garwey Dual has 8.2 PPG with 2.7 RPG and a team-high 4.1 APG to lead McNeese in assists up to this point in the year. As a team, McNeese is averaging 80.2 PPG on 47.1% shooting from the field, 31.8% from three and 75% from the foul line this season.

Why the McNeese State Cowboys will win

• McNeese State has won each of its last 10 games.
• Vanderbilt has lost each of its last four NCAA Tournament games.

Vanderbilt Commodores Recap

The Vanderbilt Commodores come into this game looking to make noise as the 5-seed out of the SEC, posting a record of 26-8 this season.

Commodores Looking To Make Run In Year Two Under Byington

Tyler Tanner leads the ‘Dores with 17.8 PPG and in assists with 5.1 APG along with 3.5 RPG while Duke Miles has 16.6 PPG with 3 RPG and 4.3 APG. Tyler Nickel has 14.5 PPG with 3.2 RPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Vanderbilt so far this season. Devin McGlockton has 9.8 PPG with 6.8 RPG to lead Vanderbilt in rebounding and Jalen Washington has 8.9 PPG with 5.4 RPG. As a team, Vanderbilt is averaging 88.8 PPG on 48.7% shooting from the field, 35.8% from three and 77% from the foul line this season.

Why the Vanderbilt Commodores will win

• Vanderbilt has won each of its last 13 games against non-Conference opponents.
• McNeese State has lost each of its last six games against the Southeastern Conference.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Vanderbilt’s last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue has produced a total of 151+ points.
• Seven of McNeese State’s last eight games at a neutral venue have produced a total of 138 or fewer points.

Vanderbilt vs McNeese State Prediction

I’m on Vanderbilt in this one. I get the case to be made for McNeese, as the Cowboys are a dangerous team that’s been in this position before and won’t be intimidated. The problem is I think that the Commodores have too much power, pace and talent for McNeese to deal with here and the only time we saw a step up in class this season, McNeese got drilled by Michigan, but in reality, who didn’t for much of the year? I just think Vandy pulls away in the second half to nab the win and cover here.