McNeese State vs. Gonzaga Picks, Odds, Starting Lineups For the 2024 March Madness Round of 64
The Gonzaga Bulldogs face the McNeese State Cowboys in the Round of 64 on Thursday night. Will there be an upset? Jason Radowitz provides his McNeese State vs. Gonzaga odds and starting lineups ahead of the game
Jason Radowitz - March 21, 2024, 12:00 PM EDT
5 minMcNeese State vs. Gonzaga Picks, Odds, Starting Lineups For the 2024 March Madness Round of 64
It seems that many bracketologists and analysts are predicting a first-round exit for the Gonzaga Bulldogs this season.
To be blunt, this wasn't Gonzaga's best season ever. But it's also not like Gonzaga was so bad, either.
The Bulldogs won 25 games this season and lost only seven. Two of those losses were against St. Mary's, and two other losses were against Purdue and UConn, who are No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament.
In the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Gonzaga will face McNeese State, who watched their program go from 11 wins last season to 30 this year. They can thank Will Wade for that.
Wade will be a legend if he coaches McNeese to an upset win over Gonzaga in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. But should we expect it?
Let's take a look at the latest odds and starting lineups for the Round of 64 matchup between the McNeese State Cowboys vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs.
McNeese State vs. Gonzaga Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds
- Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024
- Start Time: 7:25 pm ET
- Where to Watch: TBS
McNeese State vs. Gonzaga Odds and Betting Data
TEAM | SPREAD | MONEYLINE | IMPLIED CHANCE |
|---|---|---|---|
McNeese State Cowboys | +6.5 (-115) | 220 | 31.25% |
Gonzaga Bulldogs | -6.5 (-105) | -270 | 72.97% |
The McNeese State Cowboys have won 30 games this year. But that wasn't enough to persuade the bookmakers to make the Cowboys favorites against Gonzaga.
The Cowboys only have a 31.25% implied probability of defeating Gonzaga on Thursday.
On the other hand, the Bulldogs are sitting at -6.5 (-105) after opening at -5.5 (-120). Gonzaga has a 73% chance of winning this game.
McNeese State Cowboys vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Prediction
The Gonzaga Bulldogs are still one of the best offenses in the nation. Gonzaga has a 56.7% effective field goal percentage and has only turned the ball over 14% of the time.
That's critical data, knowing McNeese State is big on forcing turnovers. The Cowboys have added 23.1% of turnovers per game this season. But if Gonzaga is smart with the ball and limits the turnovers, McNeese won't earn their average defensive numbers against the Bulldogs.
The Cowboys have also struggled on the defensive glass, and with lots of pressure, they also foul at a high rate.
On the other hand, McNeese has a shot to stick around in this game offensively. The Cowboys have nailed 39.4% from downtown, and Gonzaga has allowed 34% from three this season. However, the Cowboys aren't a high-volume three-point shooting team and won't have nearly as much success from the floor inside the arc.
I'm rolling with Gonzaga. There won't be an upset here.
McNeese State vs. Gonzaga Prediction: Gonzaga -6.5 (-105) (Bet $105 to collect $205)
McNeese State vs. Gonzaga Projected Lineups
McNeese State projected lineup:
- G: Javohn Garcia
- G: Shahada Wells
- G: Omar Cooper
- F: Christian Shumate
- C: Antavion Collum
Gonzaga projected lineup:
- G: Ryan Nembhard
- G: Nolan Hickman
- F: Anton Watson
- F: Ben Gregg
- F: Graham Ike
McNeese State March Madness Odds
McNeese State has odds of +30000 to win the NCAA Tournament this year. They're a 12-seed that would need to get by Gonzaga and then the winner of the Kansas-Samford game to get into the Sweet 16.
Imagine Will Wade having to get through Mark Few and Bill Self in the first two rounds to get into the second weekend of March Madness. That's a gauntlet.
Gonzaga March Madness Odds
Mark Few has been the head coach for the Gonzaga Bulldogs for about 25 years. He's helped Gonzaga make two NCAA Tournament Championship games but hasn't won any.
This year, Gonzaga is +6000 to win the NCAA Tournament. They've surely had years with more talent and better results. But with that said, Gonzaga is still a threat in the NCAA Tournament. Maybe this is the Bulldogs' year.
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