The McNeese State Cowboys will play against the Vanderbilt Commodores in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament. The game is set for Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 3:15 PM ET. It will take place at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK, and will be broadcast on truT.
McNeese State enters the tournament with a strong regular season record of 28-5. They went 21-3 in the Southland Conference. In their recent games, they secured wins against Stephen F. Austin, Texas-Rio Grande Valley, and Nicholls. Last postseason, they defeated Clemson but fell to Purdue in the second round.
Vanderbilt holds an overall record of 26-8 and a conference record of 13-8 in the Southeastern Conference. They recently lost to Arkansas but won against Florida and Tennessee. In the 2025 postseason, they lost to Saint Mary’s in the first round. Vanderbilt is ranked #16 in the AP poll.
Vanderbilt Preview
The Vanderbilt Commodores are ranked #16 in the AP poll. They play in the Southeastern Conference. Last season, they had a strong regular season with a 26-8 overall record. In conference play, they went 13-8.
In the 2025 postseason, Vanderbilt played in the East Region. They lost in the first round to Saint Mary’s with a score of 59-56. This was a close game, but they could not advance further.
During the 2026 regular season, the Commodores scored an average of 86.4 points per game. Their field goal percentage was 47.5%. They made 9.5 three-pointers per game and had a free throw percentage of 79.3%.
Key players include Duke Miles and Tyler Tanner. Duke Miles averaged 16.5 points per game, while Tyler Tanner led the team with 19.1 points per game. Both players contributed significantly to the team’s performance throughout the season.
McNeese State Preview
The McNeese State Cowboys play in the Southland Conference. In the 2025 postseason, they had a notable win against Clemson. They won 69-67 in the first round. However, they lost to Purdue 62-76 in the second round.
In the 2026 regular season, the Cowboys had a strong record. They finished with 28 wins and 5 losses overall. In conference play, they went 21-3. This shows their strength in the Southland Conference.
The Cowboys had some impressive recent games. They defeated Stephen F. Austin 76-59. Javohn Garcia scored 31 points in that game. They also won against Texas-Rio Grande Valley 84-80, with Larry Johnson scoring 27 points.
For the season, the Cowboys averaged 80 points per game. Their field goal percentage was 46.8%. Larry Johnson was a key player, averaging 17.5 points per game. Tyshawn Archie also contributed with 14.3 points per game.
Statistical Breakdown for Vanderbilt vs McNeese State
Key stats will play a big role in this game. Vanderbilt scores more points per game and has a better field goal percentage than McNeese State. However, McNeese State has a strong defense with more steals per game. Both teams have solid free throw percentages, which could be important in a close game.
- Vanderbilt Points Per Game: 86.4 (16th)
- McNeese State Points Per Game: 80.0 (96th)
- Vanderbilt Field Goal Percentage: 47.5% (53rd)
- McNeese State Field Goal Percentage: 46.8% (83rd)
- Vanderbilt Free Throw Percentage: 79.3% (28th)
- McNeese State Free Throw Percentage: 74.7% (138th)
- McNeese State Steals Per Game: 10.5
- Vanderbilt Steals Per Game: 8.1
Betting Insights
The McNeese State Cowboys and Vanderbilt Commodores are set to play, and the betting trends offer some insights. McNeese State has been strong straight up, especially as favorites, but their ATS performance is less consistent. Vanderbilt has a solid record as favorites, but they have struggled recently both straight up and ATS. Here are the top betting trends to consider for this game:
- McNeese State is 100% SU in their last 10 games.
- Vanderbilt is 83.3% SU as favorites.
- McNeese State is 100% ATS as underdogs.
- Vanderbilt is 66.7% ATS as favorites.
- Vanderbilt is 80% on the Over in their last 5 games.
Free Betting Prediction for Vanderbilt vs McNeese State
Vanderbilt has a strong offense, scoring more points per game than McNeese State. Their field goal and free throw percentages are also higher. This offensive strength gives them an edge in the game. Key players like Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles will likely contribute significantly.
McNeese State has shown they can compete with top teams. They have a strong defense, with more steals per game than Vanderbilt. Larry Johnson and Tyshawn Archie are key players who can make an impact. However, they might struggle against Vanderbilt’s high-scoring offense.
Considering the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, Vanderbilt is likely to win. Their offensive power and home advantage make them the favorites. McNeese State’s defense will keep it competitive, but Vanderbilt should cover the spread.
- Our Free Prediction: Vanderbilt -11.5
