McNeese State vs Purdue Prediction 3/22/25 College Basketball Picks

In this article, we will formulate a McNeese vs Purdue prediction for this College Basketball game on Saturday, March 22 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, RI. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this game in the 2nd Round of the NCAA Tournament. The winner of this game will meet Houston or Gonzaga in the Sweet 16.

McNeese Cowboys Betting Preview

The McNeese Cowboys (28-6, 16-16 ATS) were on a fantastic 11-game winning streak before Nicholls snapped it but the Cowboys responded with a new 9-game winning run to clinch the No. 1 seed in the Southland tournament. McNeese comfortably beat Northwestern State in the semifinals and defeated Lamar in the finals to take the title and qualify for the Big Dance.

McNeese is averaging 77.0 PPG (99th) and is allowing 64.1 PPG (15th). The Flames are getting 36.4 RPG (141st) and dish out 14.0 APG (166th). Javohn Garcia is the team’s top performer with 12.6 PPG, 3.4 RPG, and a team-high 1.5 SPG. Sincere Parker has 12.1 PPG and 2.5 RPG, while Christian Shumate contributes 10.6 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and a team-high 1.3 BPG.

Purdue Boilermakers Betting Preview

The Purdue Boilermakers (23-11, 18-16 ATS) experienced their toughest patch of the season in February when they suffered four consecutive losses, falling to Michigan, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Indiana. Purdue responded with a pair of wins over UCLA and Rutgers and fell short to Illinois in the final game of the regular season. The Boilermakers entered the Big Ten tournament as the No. 6 seed and defeated USC but Michigan stopped them in the quarterfinals.

Purdue averages 77.8 PPG (83rd) and allows 70.9 PPG (148th). The Boilermakers are 358th in rebounds (32.7) and 61st in assists (15.8). Trey Kaufman-Renn leads the team with 20.2 PPG, a team-high 6.3 RPG, and 2.1 APG. Braden Smith follows him with 16.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, a team-high 8.6 APG, and a team-high 2.2 SPG, while Fletcher Loyer chips in 13.6 PPG and 2.1 RPG.

Why Purdue will beat McNeese

• Purdue has won each of its last seven NCAA Tournament day games against a lower seed.
• McNeese State has lost 17 of its last 18 Saturday day games against non-conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Eight of McNeese State’s last nine day games have produced a total of 142 or fewer points.
• Four of Purdue’s last five NCAA Tournament day games have produced a total of 138 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Purdue ranks 10th among Division 1 teams for effective field goal percentage this season (57.0%).
• Purdue ranks 12th among Division 1 teams for true shooting percentage this season (60.4%).
• McNeese State ranks 16th among Division 1 teams for opponent points per game this season (64.4).
• McNeese State ranks 17th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goals made per game this season (22.1).

McNeese vs Purdue Prediction

These teams have only met once before and it was in 2016 when Purdue dismantled McNeese 109-65. McNeese caused one of the biggest if not the biggest shock so far in the NCAA tournament by defeating Clemson in the first round, but I think their journey will end on Saturday. Purdue is surely vulnerable and the Cowboys are encouraged after a massive win over Clemson, but the experience and quality is on the Boilermakers’ side. Purdue has covered the Spread in 23 of its last 39 games, while McNeese State has only covered the Spread in 16 of the previous last 33 games. Purdue used to flop in the Big Dance before and nothing will surprise me, but I am still going with the Boilermakers to win and cover.

Oliver Zivic's Pick: Purdue -6