Louisiana vs James Madison Prediction 3/4/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks
Chris Ruffolo
Dec 29, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; James Madison Dukes forward Justin McBride (21) drives against Arkansas Razorbacks forward Trevon Brazile (7) during the second half at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 103-74. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
MATCHUP
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
James Madison Dukes
Team Records
11-21
17-14
Spread
+6.5 -115
-6.5 -105
Moneyline
+220
-270
Total
Over 132.5 (-112)
Under 132.5 (-108)
Where
Pensacola Bay Center, Pensacola, FL
When
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Time
06:00 PM EST
TV
ESPN+
The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and the James Madison Dukes meet Wednesday in college basketball action from the Pensacola Bay Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns vs. James Madison Dukes prediction.
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Recap
The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns come into this one off of their 84-75 win over Georgia State last time out.
Cajuns Begin Climb Up Tournament Ladder
Dorian Finister leads Louisiana in scoring and rebounding with 14.5 PPG and 4.7 RPG while Jaxon Olvera has 13.3 PPG with 4.4 RPG and 1.9 APG as the only other double-digit scorer for Louisiana so far this season. Joshua Lewis has 8.1 PPG with 3.8 RPG and De’Vion Lavergne has 9.9 PPG with 3.3 RPG and a team-high 2.9 APG to lead Louisiana in assists as well on the year. As a team, Louisiana is averaging 63.4 PPG on 40.2% shooting from the field, 33.7% from three and 70.4% from the foul line this season.
James Madison Dukes Recap
The James Madison Dukes come into this game as the 9-seed, finishing the year with a 17-14 overall record including a 9-9 mark in Sun Belt conference play.
Dukes Looking To Start Their Run
Justin McBride leads the Dukes in scoring with 15.5 PPG along with 5.5 RPG while Bradley Douglas has 11.7 PPG with 3.6 APG to lead James Madison in assists. Cliff Davis has 15.3 PPG with 3.1 RPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for JMU so far this season. Eddie Ricks III has 7.3 PPG with a team-high 5.8 RPG and Gabe Newhof’s added 8.2 PPG with 3.6 RPG as well this season. As a team, James Madison is averaging 74 PPG on 44.9% shooting from the field, 35.2% from three and 70.4% from the foul line this season.
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns @ James Madison Dukes Betting Trends: March 4, 2026
Why the James Madison Dukes will win
James Madison has won six of its last seven games.
Louisiana has lost seven of its last eight Wednesday games.
Louisiana has lost the first half in eight of its last nine games.
Why the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns will win
Louisiana has won seven of its last eight Conference Tournament day games.
James Madison has lost six of its last eight Conference Tournament day games.
Matchup/League Facts
James Madison ranks 362nd among Division 1 teams for opponent turnovers per game this season (8.8).
James Madison ranks 39th among Division 1 teams for opponent assists per game this season (11.5).
Louisiana ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (50.9).
Louisiana ranks 361st among Division 1 teams for points per game this season (63.4).
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns vs. James Madison Dukes Prediction
I’m on James Madison here. I get the case to be made for either team here and Louisiana’s had a game to shake off the rust if anything, but the Dukes are still the better team as far as I’m concerned, and I think the Dukes take down the Cajuns and add Louisiana’s run here.
