McNeese State Cowboys vs Purdue Boilermakers Prediction – 3/22/2025

The NCAA Tournament's second round features an intriguing matchup between the 12th-seeded McNeese State Cowboys and the 4th-seeded Purdue Boilermakers. Both teams are coming off impressive first-round victories and are set to clash on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 12:10 p.m. in Providence, Rhode Island.

McNeese State Cowboys vs. Purdue Boilermakers Game Preview

McNeese State (28-6) enters this game riding a 12-game winning streak, including a historic 69-67 win over Clemson in the first round. This victory marked the Cowboys' first-ever NCAA Tournament win. Guard Brandon Murray led the charge with 21 points, while Christian Shumate contributed a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Under the guidance of head coach Will Wade, McNeese has demonstrated a strong defensive presence, holding Clemson to 37% shooting from the field and dominating the paint with a 44-24 scoring advantage.

Purdue (23-11) secured a 75-63 victory over High Point in their opening round. Forward Trey Kaufman-Renn led the Boilermakers with 21 points and eight rebounds, and Big Ten Player of the Year Braden Smith added 20 points and six assists. Purdue showcased their dominance in the paint, outscoring High Point 38-22 and outrebounding them 45-24. However, the Boilermakers struggled from the free-throw line, converting only 11 of 22 attempts.

Betting Insights

As of Friday, the betting odds for this matchup are as follows:

• Point Spread: Purdue -5.5
• Over/Under: 143.5 points

McNeese State has covered the spread in three of their last four games, including their first-round win over Clemson. Purdue, on the other hand, covered the spread in the first round for the first time in their last four games. The Boilermakers have gone over the total in five of their last nine games.

McNeese State Cowboys vs. Purdue Boilermakers Prediction

This matchup presents a compelling contrast between McNeese State's tenacious defense and Purdue's efficient offense. The Cowboys have been effective in limiting opponents' mid-range opportunities, ranking among the top three nationally in mid-range rate allowed and top ten in opposing mid-range shooting percentage. Their backcourt size, particularly 6'6" point guard Quadir Copeland, could pose challenges for Purdue's Braden Smith.

Purdue's interior defense has shown vulnerabilities, ranking outside the top 353 in opposing two-point shooting percentage. McNeese's ability to exploit this weakness, combined with their defensive prowess, suggests they can keep the game competitive. Given these factors, taking McNeese State to cover the +5.5 spread appears to be a prudent choice. Additionally, considering both teams' recent shooting struggles and McNeese's defensive capabilities, the under on the 143.5 total points is also a favorable option.

In conclusion, while Purdue's experience and offensive efficiency make them the favorites, McNeese State's defensive strengths and recent momentum position them well to cover the spread in what promises to be a closely contested game.