Saturday’s contest at The Legacy Center has the McNeese Cowboys (10-5, 4-0 Southland) squaring off against the Nicholls State Colonels (9-6, 3-1 Southland) at 5:00 PM ET. Our computer prediction is a lopsided 78-63 win, as our model heavily favors McNeese.

Based on our computer prediction, Nicholls State should cover the point spread, which is currently listed at 16.5. The two sides are projected to exceed the 139.5 total.

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McNeese vs. Nicholls State Game Info & Odds

• Date: Saturday, January 11, 2025
• Time: 5:00 PM ET
• TV: ESPN+
• Live stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
• Where: Lake Charles, Louisiana
• Venue: The Legacy Center
• Line: McNeese -16.5
• Point total: 139.5
• Moneyline (to win): McNeese -1786, Nicholls State +880

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McNeese vs. Nicholls State Score Prediction

• Prediction:
  McNeese 78, Nicholls State 63

Spread & Total Prediction for McNeese vs. Nicholls State

• Pick ATS: Nicholls State (+16.5)
• Pick OU: Over (139.5)

McNeese has compiled an 8-5-0 record against the spread this season, while Nicholls State is 7-5-0. A total of six out of the Cowboys’ games this season have hit the over, and four of the Colonels’ games have gone over. The two teams score 151.6 points per game, 12.1 more points than this matchup’s total. McNeese is 6-4 against the spread and 7-3 overall in its last 10 contests, while Nicholls State has gone 6-4 against the spread and 6-4 overall.

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McNeese Performance Insights

• The Cowboys average 77.5 points per game (122nd in college basketball) while giving up 64.7 per contest (36th in college basketball). They have a +192 scoring differential overall and outscore opponents by 12.8 points per game.
• McNeese ranks 236th in the country at 31.9 rebounds per game. That’s 2.9 more than the 29 its opponents average.
• McNeese connects on 7.3 three-pointers per game (230th in college basketball) at a 33.4% rate (202nd in college basketball), compared to the 8.3 per contest its opponents make while shooting 32% from beyond the arc.
• The Cowboys record 103.3 points per 100 possessions (48th in college basketball), while allowing 86.2 points per 100 possessions (76th in college basketball).
• McNeese has had fewer turnovers than its opponents this season, committing 10.4 per game (71st in college basketball action) while forcing 13.7 (62nd in college basketball).

Nicholls State Performance Insights

• The Colonels’ +82 scoring differential (outscoring opponents by 5.4 points per game) is a result of putting up 74.1 points per game (218th in college basketball) while giving up 68.7 per outing (107th in college basketball).
• Nicholls State is 122nd in the country at 33.9 rebounds per game. That’s similar to the 32.9 its opponents average.
• Nicholls State makes 7.3 three-pointers per game (230th in college basketball) compared to its opponents’ 6.5. It shoots 31.9% from deep, and its opponents shoot 28.4%.
• Nicholls State has committed 2.1 fewer turnovers than its opponents, averaging 10.4 (71st in college basketball) while forcing 12.5 (142nd in college basketball).

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