- Matchup: McNeese Cowboys vs. Vanderbilt Commodores
- Date: Thursday, March 19, 2026
- Venue: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
- Broadcast: truTV
- Betting Odds: Vanderbilt favored by 12 points
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The Vanderbilt Commodores (26-8) will face off against the McNeese Cowboys (28-5) this Thursday at Paycom Center in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Vanderbilt comes into the game as 12-point favorites, with the total set at 150.5.
The McNeese Cowboys secured an impressive win against Stephen F. Austin, finishing the game with a score of 76-59. McNeese showcased an impressive 51.9% shooting accuracy (28 out of 54) and converted 9 out of 18 three-point attempts. From the free-throw line, they were efficient, making 11 of 12 for a stellar 91.7% success rate. On the boards, McNeese gathered 34 rebounds, including 8 offensive ones. The team notched 14 assists but also committed 10 turnovers and made 9 steals. Defensively, they held Stephen F. Austin to 37.3% shooting (19 of 51). The opponent managed 10 assists and 5 steals, while also accumulating 24 total rebounds (7 offensive, 17 defensive), without any blocks. Stephen F. Austin went 16 for 19 (84.2%) from the free-throw line, converting just 5 of their 21 three-point attempts. McNeese finished the game with 13 personal fouls, compared to 11 for Stephen F. Austin.
Javohn Garcia stood out with a phenomenal performance, scoring 31 points on 11 of 18 shooting in 33 minutes of play. He also grabbed 5 rebounds but did not record any assists in this matchup.
Entering this significant matchup, McNeese boasts a strong 28-5 record this season. They are averaging 80.0 points per game (83rd in NCAA) and shooting 46.8% from the field. The Cowboys have a three-point shooting percentage of 31.9% (220 of 689) and convert 74.7% of their free-throw attempts. As a team, they gather an impressive 35.2 rebounds per game and have recorded 467 assists this season, ranking 148th in Division 1. On the turnover front, they give the ball away just 9.6 times per game while averaging 18.7 personal fouls.
Defensively, the Cowboys force their opponents into an average of 16.9 turnovers per game and draw 17.7 personal fouls. They rank 90th in the nation by allowing 399 assists this season. The Cowboys’ defense restricts opponents to a shooting percentage of 40.7% (708 of 1,741) and concedes an average of 33.8 rebounds per game. Teams are shooting 32.4% from beyond the arc against them, and they rank 24th in college basketball by allowing just 66.5 points per game.
In their most recent outing, the Vanderbilt Commodores faced Arkansas and suffered a defeat, falling 86-75. Vanderbilt collected 23 defensive rebounds and 9 offensive rebounds, racking up a total of 32 boards for the game. They turned the ball over just 6 times while achieving 7 steals during this contest. Notably, Arkansas had 13 personal fouls, enabling the Commodores to take 15 free-throw attempts, making all of them for a perfect 100% conversion rate. Regarding three-point shooting, Vanderbilt made 10 of their 24 attempts (41.7%). Overall, they shot 25 of 66 from the field, resulting in a field goal percentage of 37.9%. Vanderbilt allowed Arkansas to shoot 51.7%, with 30 successful field goals out of 58 attempts. When it came to foul shots, the Commodores went 11 for 15 (73.3%). The Commodores allowed Arkansas to secure 32 rebounds during the match (5 offensive).
Duke Miles was pivotal for the Commodores, contributing 19 points in 36 minutes of play while also dishing out 9 assists. He hit 7 of 14 shots, resulting in a shooting percentage of 50.0%, and grabbed 4 rebounds.
Vanderbilt sports a season record of 26-8. The Commodores average 19.3 personal fouls per contest while achieving 79.3% at the free-throw line. They average an impressive 16.4 assists per game (46th in D1) and turn the ball over 9.5 times per game. Vanderbilt has accumulated 2,936 points this year (86.4 points per game) and collects 35.3 boards per game. Offensively, they have been connecting on 47.5% of their shots from the field, which puts them at 50th in the nation.
Defensively, the Commodores rank 221st in points allowed per game, giving up an average of 75.2. They force their opponents into 12.8 turnovers per game and allow teams to shoot 42.7% from the field (96th in college basketball). Vanderbilt’s defensive unit allows 32.2% shooting from beyond the arc (243 of 755) while their opponents hit 75.2% of their free-throw attempts. They concede an average of 11.6 assists and 35.0 rebounds each game, ranking them 48th and 222nd, respectively, in these categories.
Who will come out on top in tonight’s NCAA face-off against the spread?
Prediction: Choose Vanderbilt (-12)
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