Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns vs McNeese State Cowboys Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our McNeese State vs Louisiana-Lafayette NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Lafayette.

McNeese State vs Louisiana-Lafayette Prediction

The Cowboys and Ragin' Cajuns are set to face off at 3:00 ET on ESPN+. The Ragin' Cajuns will host the game at Cajundome in Lafayette, LA. McNeese State is favored by -10.5 in this non-conference contest against Louisiana-Lafayette. The game's over/under currently sits at 141.5 points.

McNeese State vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: McNeese State Cowboys at Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns
Where: Lafayette at Cajundome
Date: Sunday, December 22nd
Betting Odds MCNST -10.5, MCNST -620 | LOULAF +440 O/U 141.5

Cowboys Preview: Can McNeese State Secure a Road Victory?

McNeese State Cowboys Recent Game/Games

The Cowboys dropped to 3-5 on the season after a narrow 66-63 loss to Mississippi State on Saturday. McNeese State, who were +9 point underdogs, kept it closer than expected.

After a 29-29 tie at halftime, the Cowboys scored 34 points in the 2nd half but allowed 37. The game’s total points of 129 fell short of the 143.5 O/U line.

Cowboys Offense Breakdown

McNeese State put up 63 points in their last game, shooting 41.5% from the field and 40.9% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 49.1%, and they struggled at the free-throw line, hitting just 58.8% of their attempts.

Joe Charles led the way with 19 points and 6 rebounds, shooting 54.5% overall and 42.9% from three. RJ Melendez added 18 points, while Josh Hubbard and Sincere Parker each contributed 16 points, with Hubbard also dishing out 5 assists.

Cowboys Team Defense

McNeese State's defense held their opponent to 66 points, allowing them to shoot 41% from the field on 22 of 53 attempts. They limited two-point shooting to 41%, with the other team making 13 of 31 shots.

From beyond the arc, McNeese State's defense gave up 9 threes on 22 attempts, a 40% shooting rate. They also sent the opponent to the free-throw line 17 times, where they converted 10 for 58%. McNeese State allowed 11 offensive rebounds.

Ragin' Cajuns Preview: Is a Home Win Possible for the Ragin' Cajuns?

Louisiana-Lafayette improved to 2-9 on the season with a 68-62 win over Appalachian State on Wednesday. The Ragin' Cajuns were +2 point underdogs but managed to cover the spread with the victory.

Louisiana-Lafayette led 35-21 at halftime but allowed 41 points in the 2nd half while scoring 33. The total points for the game were 130, falling short of the 135.5 O/U line.

Ragin' Cajuns Offense Breakdown

Louisiana-Lafayette put up 68 points in their last game, shooting 41.8% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 50.9%, with a 37.5% mark from three-point range, hitting 9 of 24 attempts. At the free-throw line, they connected on 76.5%, making 13 of 17 shots.

Mostapha El Moutaouakkil and Dior Conners each scored 15 points, with Conners hitting 3 of 5 from deep and shooting 66.7% overall. Michael Thomas also went 3 for 5 from three-point range, finishing with 11 points, while CJ Huntley added 11 points as well.

Ragin' Cajuns Team Defense

Louisiana-Lafayette's defense held their opponent to 62 points on 41% shooting from the field. The Ragin' Cajuns allowed 14 two-point field goals on 31 attempts, a 45% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, their opponent shot 37%, hitting 9 of 24 three-pointers. Louisiana-Lafayette also sent them to the free-throw line 17 times, where they made 13, shooting 76%. The Ragin' Cajuns gave up 9 offensive rebounds.

Cowboys vs Ragin' Cajuns Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Across the Cowboys last three road games, the team averaged 65 points per game while allowing 71. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 1-2, while going 0-3 straight-up.
Across their five previous home games, Louisiana-Lafayette has an ATS mark of 0-5. Their straight up record in these matchups was 0-5 while averaging 61 points per game.
In their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Ragin' Cajuns have a straight up record of 2-8 and an ATS mark of 2-8.
The last three games that McNeese State was favored, they have an ATS mark of 1-2 while going 1-2 straight up.