McNeese State vs Vanderbilt Prediction 3/19/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

In this article, we will formulate a McNeese vs Vanderbilt Prediction for this NCAA Tournament 1st Round matchup on Thursday, March 19th. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this college basketball matchup.

Vanderbilt Commodores Preview

The Vanderbilt Commodores have a 26-8 overall record and an 11-7 record in the SEC. They are coming off an 86-75 loss against Arkansas and their previous three games were a 91-74 win against Florida, a 75-68 win against Tennessee and an 86-82 road win against Tennessee.

Offensively, Vanderbilt averages 86.4 points per game, while allowing 75.2 points per game defensively. The Commodores shoot with 48% from the field and grab 35.3 rebounds per game, while dishing out 16.4 assists per game. They average 4.6 blocks per game and 8.1 steals per game defensively.

Tyler Tanner leads Vanderbilt in scoring, with an average of 19.1 points per game, while shooting with 49% from the field and 85.9% from the free throw line, adding a team-high 5.1 assists. Devin McGlockton is the team’s leading rebounder with 6.7 per game.

McNeese Cowboys Preview

The McNeese Cowboys have a 28-5 overall record and a 19-3 record in the Southland. They are coming off a 76-59 win against Stephen F. Austin and their previous three games were an 84-80 win against UT Rio Grande Valley, a 75-65 road win against Nicholls and a 66-63 road win against New Orleans.

Offensively, McNeese averages 80 points per game, while allowing 66.5 points per game defensively. The Cowboys shoot with 47% from the field and grab 35.2 rebounds per game, while dishing out 14.2 assists per game. They average 4.3 blocks per game and 10.5 steals per game defensively.

Larry Johnson leads McNeese in scoring, with an average of 17.5 points per game, while shooting with 50.2% from the field and 77% from the free throw line, adding a team-high 5.5 rebounds. Garwey Dual leads the team in assists with 4.3 per game.

McNeese State Cowboys @ Vanderbilt Commodores Betting Trends: March 19, 2026

Why the Vanderbilt Commodores will win

• Vanderbilt has won each of its last 13 games against non-Conference opponents.
• McNeese State has lost each of its last six games against the Southeastern Conference.
• Vanderbilt has won the first half in each of its last 20 games against non-Conference opponents.

Why the McNeese State Cowboys will win

• McNeese State has won each of its last 10 games.
• Vanderbilt has lost each of its last four NCAA Tournament games.
• McNeese State has won the first half in each of its last nine games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Vanderbilt’s last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue have produced a total of 151+ points.
• Seven of McNeese State’s last eight games at a neutral venue have produced a total of 138 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Vanderbilt ranks 13th among Division 1 teams for points per game this season (86.9).
• Vanderbilt ranks 14th among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (78.3%).
• McNeese State ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (4.4).
• McNeese State ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (10.4).

McNeese vs Vanderbilt Prediction

In this McNeese vs Vanderbilt Prediction, Vanderbilt coming as -11.5 favorites. McNeese won the Southland and have been excellent this season, having the 17th-best defense in the country, but they are just 1-4 against the spread in their last 5 games. On the flip side, Vanderbilt has been better against the spread throughout the season and lost the SEC title by Arkansas. They have the 18th-best offense in the nation and I expect them to be too much for McNeese and win this one by double digits.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Vanderbilt -11.5