McNeese vs. Vanderbilt First Round Game Preview, Picks, Betting Odds & Data

By Thom Cunningham | Mar 18, 2026, 5:46pm

One of the more intriguing No. 5 vs. No. 12 matchups sees the McNeese Cowboys take on the Vanderbilt Commodores in the Thursday afternoon window. Let’s break down the betting numbers for this South Region game and go through the odds, statistics and best plays to consider.

McNeese vs. Vanderbilt Game Information

Date: Thursday, Mar. 19, 2026
Time: 3:15 p.m. ET
Network: truTV
Region: South
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Venue: Paycom Center

McNeese vs. Vanderbilt Betting Resources

McNeese vs. Vanderbilt Betting Odds

McNeese vs. Vanderbilt Betting Data

McNeese Cowboys

Region Odds:
Sweet 16 Odds:
Elite Eight Odds:
Final Four Odds:
National Title Odds:

Seed: No. 12
Record: 28-5
Conference: Southland
PS/G: 80
PA/G: 66.5
ORtg: 117.6
DRtg: 97.7

Vanderbilt Commodores

Region Odds:
Sweet 16 Odds:
Elite Eight Odds:
Final Four Odds:
National Title Odds:

Seed: No. 5
Record: 26-8
Conference: SEC
PS/G: 86.4
PA/G: 75.2
ORtg: 121.1
DRtg: 105.4

McNeese vs. Vanderbilt Key Players

McNeese Cowboys

Larry Johnson (SO) – 17.5 ppg; 5.5 rpg
Tyshawn Archie (JR) – 14.3 ppg
Javohn Garcia (SR) – 12 ppg

Vanderbilt Commodores

Tyler Tanner (SO) – 19.1 ppg; 5.1 apg
Tyler Nickel (SR) – 13.5 ppg

McNeese vs. Vanderbilt Betting Analysis

McNeese is a tough school to figure out in regards to the ATS market, covering three straight games on a neutral court but is just 4-10-1 on the ATS when playing on the road this season. Those are the only numbers from a betting perspective that stand out for the Cowboys. Also, despite averaging 80 points per game the Cowboys have scored 69 total points or less in nine of 10 games when facing an AP ranked school.

For Vanderbilt, they seem much more clear on the ATS market with a 4-2 record on a neutral court. Vanderbilt has also won its last 13 games outright when facing a non-conference school. Not only that, but the Commodores have won the first half in 20 straight non-conference games – meaning they typically get out to a good start early and are difficult for teams to catch up with.

McNeese vs. Vanderbilt Best Bet, Pick & Prediction

The score projection indicates a possible upset, so despite the conviction in Vanderbilt winning the game it just isn’t there to cover a large +11.5-point spread against McNeese – who is 3-0 on the ATS on a neutral court. The total has some confidence in it, in that the score projection supports an Over play along with Vanderbilt going Over 151 total points in six straight games when facing a non-AP ranked school on a neutral court.

Score Prediction: McNeese 78, Vanderbilt 76
Best Bet: Over 150 (-110)

Photo Credit: AP/George Walker IV

Thom Cunningham

Thom Cunningham is the Lineups.com News Editor and has been involved with sports media for almost two decades at Spectrum, VegasInsider.com, Oddschecker, VSiN and much more as a content producer - focused on the betting and gaming space over the last decade tracking insights, data analytics and covering various markets from the NFL to the Oscars.