The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (9-1) begin a four-game road trip in Lake Charles (La.) against in-state rivals, McNeese Cowboys on Thursday night.
Tipoff for the December 15 clash, one of just nine games featuring two Division I teams on the day’s NCAAB schedule, at the Legacy Cente is at 8:00 p.m.
Fans can catch the action on ESPN+ and the Varsity Network. The following is an early look at Louisiana vs McNeese odds.
Louisiana vs. McNeese Odds
Louisiana is a 13-point favorite in the game, per NCAAB odds. The line has remained relatively constant at 13 points, although it has gone as high as 13.5 points and as low as 12.5.
Likewise, the Over/Under has stayed steady and is set at 138.5 points.
The MoneyLine is where there has been the most difference. Regardless of the odds, Louisiana is an enormous favorite between 850-1100.
There has not been nearly as much difference involving McNeese’s money line, with the Cowboys listed between +600 and +700 underdogs.
Matchup Information
- Time and Date: December 15, 2022, 8:00 p.m.
- Venue: Legacy Center
- Location: Lake Charles, La.
- How To Watch: ESPN+; Varsity Network
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns vs. McNeese Cowboys Betting Preview
Louisiana and McNeese are meeting for the 98th time. The Ragin’ Cajuns lead the series 62-35, although the Cowboys hold a 22-21 edge in Lake Charles.
The NCAA basketball teams have met every year since 1998.
Louisiana has dominated McNeese lately. The Ragin’ Cajuns have won seven straight meetings and 17 of the last 24.
Lousiana’s Last Year’s Matchup
Louisiana won last year’s matchup (83-68) in Lafayette as a 14-point favorite behind 20-points from Kobe Julien. The Cajuns are 2-1-1 ATS in their last four matchups against the Cowboys.
The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns basketball team enters the contest with a 9-1 record equaling their best 10-game start since 1990-91.
The Ragin Cajuns are coming off a 98-63 victory over Louisiana Christian on Monday for their fourth straight victory and third win over a non-DI squad this season.
Louisiana, No. 6 in the Mid-Major college basketball standings, is 6-1 against DI foes this season.
Cajun’s Best Win
The Ragin’ Cajuns are 4-1 away from Lafayette and 2-1 in true road contests. The Cajuns’ best win is against Harvard, and their lone setback to Drake is a quality loss.
Louisiana is a high-flying offensive squad averaging 85.1 points a game, 13th in the NCAA.
Ragin Cajuns’ Strong Offense
The Ragin Cajuns’ strength offensively is shooting the ball and shot the selection. They make 50.2% (15th) of their field goal attempts and 40.2% (16th) of their 3-point attempts.
Six-foot-11 junior forward Jordan Brown, coming off a career-high 37 points against Louisiana Christian, is one of the top college basketball players in the Sun Belt.
Brown leads the team with 19.1 points on 58.4% shooting while contributing 7.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks.
Terrence Lewis has posted four double-doubles, averages 13.6 points, and a team-high 9.4 caroms.
Greg Williams (13.5 points), Themus Fulks (5.9 assists), and Kentrell Garnett (2.2 3-pointers) are other top contributors.
Louisiana’s Defense
Defensively, Louisiana ranks in the top third of the nation. The Ragin Cajuns allow 69.7 points a game on 42.4% shooting from the field. They defend the 3-point line exceptionally well and do an outstanding job on the defensive backboards.
McNeese Cowboys standings at 3-7 on the season though they have played a pretty tough schedule, going 0-3 against ranked teams.
Mcneese’s Averaging Numbers
McNeese has not played since falling to then- No. 20 Iowa State 77-40 on Sunday. The Cowboys have also lost by more than 20 points to Baylor and Tennessee.
McNeese is 2-6 against DI teams. The Cowboys are 2-2 at home with victories over Champion College and Lamar. They also have a road win over Northern Iowa.
McNeese struggles to score, averaging 63.8 points on 41.9% shooting from the field and 32.9% from the 3-point line.
Mcneese’s Defense
Defensively, the Cowboys allow 72.9 points on 45.6% shooting from the field and 36.1% from beyond the arc.
Sophomore guards Trae English (10.9 points, 3.0 assists) and Christian Shumate (10.8 points, 9.7 rebounds) lead the way offensively.
English has scored in double-figures four times this year, while Shumate tops the team with three double-doubles.
The college basketball injury report shows no players from either team.
Ragin’ Cajuns vs. McNeese Cowboys Betting Pick and Prediction
Louisiana vs McNeese prediction and odds against the spread of -13 seems about right. The Ragin’ Cajuns are 4-3 ATS, including 2-3 on the road. This is the second time this year that the Cajuns have been favored by double-digits.
They eked out a 78-77 victory over New Orleans the last time they were favored by 10 points (December 3).
The Cowboys have played better defensively lately and covered four of the last six contests. They are 5-4 ATS this season, including 5-2 as an underdog.
McNeese is 2-1 in their last three games against a mid-major program, with their lone loss during this stretch being by three points (86-83) to UT Martin.
Mcneese’s Effort on the Defense
Their effort on the defensive end will likely be the determining factor tonight, particularly when guarding the 3-point line.
The Cowboys have limited three of their last six opponents to under 43% shooting from the field. In their three victories this year, they completely shut down their opponents from beyond the arc.
Louisiana vs McNeese odds of 138 points is the lowest in the Ragin’ Cajuns’ seven games against Division I teams.
Cajuns’ Contests
The Over is 4-3 in those seven Cajuns’ contests though the Under has hit in two of the last three.
Similarly, the total of six of McNeese’s nine DI games has been set at least 140 points. The Under has hit in the Cowboys’ last three games and seven times this year.
With so few NCAA basketball games today, Louisiana and McNeese give handicappers a good betting opportunity.
The Ragin’ Cajuns are the more talented team, and the Cajuns have dominated the series lately. The Cowboys also don’t have an answer for the Cajuns’ inside duo of Brown and Lewis.
However, McNeese has shown the ability to defend decently well lately, and Louisiana has not shot the ball on the road as they have at home this season.
Keep this in mind when looking at Louisiana vs McNeese odds.
NCAAB Pick: McNeese +13 (-107)
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