McNeese State Cowboys vs Santa Clara Broncos Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Santa Clara vs McNeese State NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Lake Charles.

Santa Clara vs McNeese State Prediction

Planning on watching today's Broncos and Cowboys game? Catch the action at The Legacy Center in Lake Charles, LA, as the Cowboys hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. This non-conference matchup has an over/under of 142.5 points, and McNeese State is favored by -5.5 vs. Santa Clara.

Santa Clara vs. McNeese State Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Santa Clara Broncos at McNeese State Cowboys
Where: Lake Charles at The Legacy Center
Date: Tuesday, December 3rd
Betting Odds MCNST -5.5, SANCLR +170 | MCNST -213 O/U 142.5

Broncos Preview: Do the Broncos Have What it Takes in Lake Charles?

Santa Clara Broncos Recent Game/Games

The Broncos dropped to 3-5 after a 76-69 road loss to Washington on Friday. Santa Clara, favored by 2.5 points, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread.

After trailing 42-33 at halftime, the Broncos outscored Washington 36-34 in the second half. The game’s total points of 145 fell just short of the 148 O/U line.

Broncos Offense Breakdown

Santa Clara's offense put up 69 points in their last game, shooting 43.9% from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc, hitting 10 of 24 threes. Their effective field goal percentage was 52.6%, and they connected on 81.8% of their free throws, going 9 for 11.

Carlos Stewart Jr. led the way with 20 points, hitting 4 of 9 from deep, while Great Osobor and Elijah Mahi each added 19 points. Osobor also contributed 8 rebounds and 5 assists. The Broncos finished with 8 offensive rebounds and 9 assists as a team.

Broncos Team Defense

Santa Clara's defense gave up 76 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 43% from the field on 27 of 62 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 22 two-point baskets on 47 tries, a 46% conversion rate.

From three-point range, Santa Clara held the opposition to 5 made threes on 15 attempts, a 33% success rate. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 26 times, where they made 17, shooting 65%. Santa Clara gave up 15 offensive rebounds.

Cowboys Preview: Will the Cowboys Win at The Legacy Center?

McNeese State Cowboys Recent Game/Games

The Cowboys dropped to 3-5 on the season after a 62-58 road loss to Liberty on Monday, November 25th. McNeese State entered the game as slight -1.5 favorites but failed to cover the spread.

After a 29-29 tie at halftime, the Cowboys were outscored 33-29 in the second half. The total points for the game were 120, falling short of the 134.5 O/U line.

Cowboys Offense Breakdown

McNeese State struggled offensively in their last game, scoring just 58 points. They shot 44.7% from the field, with an effective field goal percentage of 46.8%. Their two-point shooting was solid at 57.1% (20/35), but they hit only 1 of 12 three-point attempts, shooting just 8.3% from beyond the arc. At the free-throw line, they converted 15 of 18 attempts, good for 83.3%.

The Cowboys managed only 5 assists in the game and grabbed 8 offensive rebounds. Colin Porter led the team with 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, shooting 50% from the field. Christian Shumate added 13 points and 5 rebounds, hitting 6 of 8 shots. Sincere Parker and Jayvon Maughmer each contributed 12 points, with Parker shooting 33.3% and Maughmer 36.4%.

Cowboys Team Defense

McNeese State's defense held their opponent to 62 points on 41% shooting from the field, as they went 20/48 overall. They managed to limit damage inside, with the opponent hitting 9/17 from two-point range, a 52% success rate.

From beyond the arc, McNeese State allowed 11 three-pointers on 31 attempts, a 35% shooting performance. They also sent the opponent to the free-throw line 14 times, where they converted 11 shots, good for 78%. McNeese State gave up 6 offensive rebounds.

Broncos vs Cowboys Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Across their five previous road games, Santa Clara has an ATS mark of 1-4. Their straight up record in these matchups was 1-4 while averaging 67 points per game.
When looking at their past three home matchups, McNeese State has an ATS record of 1-2 while averaging 65 per game. The team went 0-3 overall in these games.
Going back to their last three games as the underdog, the Broncos have a straight up record of 1-2. But, their mark vs the spread was just 1-2.
In their last three games as the betting favorite, the Cowboys have a straight up record of 2-1, while going 1-2 against the spread.