NCAAB: #12 McNeese State vs #5 Gonzaga Odds, and Picks (Mar 21)

• McNeese enters the tournament with an air of confidence, following their Southland title.
• Gonzaga experienced a setback in the WCC Finals, falling 69-60 against rival Saint Mary’s.
• In the history of the two programs, McNeese and Gonzaga have never played each other.

The NCAA Tournament is officially underway, and the spotlight shines brightly on the first-round matchup between the 12-seed McNeese State Cowboys and 5-seed Gonzaga Bulldogs. This should be a high-scoring bout between two elite offenses.

How to Watch

• TBS

Preview

McNeese boasts an impressive resume as they enter the tournament, flaunting the nation’s third-longest winning streak at 11 games. Additionally, they enter this game as one of only four teams with at least 30 wins on the year. Their offensive prowess is evident, with McNeese ranking in the top 10 for both FG% and 3PT%. Spearheading their charge is Shahada Wells, a senior transfer from TCU, averaging an impressive 17.8 points per game, while seeing the court for about 32 minutes per game.

Gonzaga carries the weight of its storied history in the NCAA tournament. While McNeese thrives on guard dominance, Gonzaga derives its production from its formidable big men. Most notably, junior transfer Graham Ike, has showcased his skills with an average of 16.5 ppg and 7.2 rpg in 24 minutes of play. Gonzaga’s journey has been marked by battles against tough competition, especially in non-conference play. They hold a 2-3 record in games against teams ranked in the Top 25 entering the Tournament.

Prediction

McNeese enters the tournament on a scorching hot streak, poised to make a statement if they can topple the powerhouse of Gonzaga, who owns the second-highest FG% in the tournament. Conversely, McNeese excels from beyond the arc, ranking eighth in 3PT%. With their faster-paced offense, McNeese is primed to exploit open three-point opportunities. Given their sharpshooting prowess and current momentum, we predict the Cowboys will orchestrate an upset over Gonzaga in this game.

NCAAB Picks:

• McNeese State to win (MCNE +6.5)