The Lamar Cardinals (18-12, 11-6 SthLnd) welcome the McNeese State Cowboys (9-21, 5-12 SthLnd) to Montagne Center as the regular season finishes up. Action gets underway at 5:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 9, 2019.
McNeese State Cowboys at Lamar Cardinals Betting Odds
In their last outing, the Cardinals edged the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks, 81-79, while the Cowboys fell to the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders, 59-50.
The Cardinals held the Lumberjacks to an offensive rebounding percentage of 17.6 (below their season average of 31.3) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.583 (above their season average of 0.510). McNeese State, meanwhile, had a turnover percentage of 11.6 (better than their season average of 19.0). Lamar’s Nick Garth had a good game, contributing 20 points and six assists. Meanwhile, McNeese State was lifted by Jarren Greenwood, who finished with 10 points and six rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Christian Barrett led the Cardinals to an 84-75 victory. He registered a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Lamar had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (46.9 vs. 28.6). McNeese State, meanwhile, had a better free throw rate (0.347 vs. 0.274).
The Cowboys’ Shamarkus Kennedy has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 21 points,8.8 rebounds,2.6 blocks per game. Meanwhile, Garth has averaged 21 points,1.8 steals during that same time frame for the Cardinals.
Expect Lamar to dominate the offensive glass in this contest. The Cardinals are among the nation’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking seventh in offensive rebounding percentage at 37.4 percent. Meanwhile, McNeese State ranks 267th in the NCAA at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 69.9 percent. Ball protection could be troublesome for the Cowboys. They rank 319th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 21.6 percent), while the Cardinals force the 19th-most turnovers in the NCAA (opponents’ turnover percentage of 23.0 percent).
McNeese State vs. Lamar Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Lamar, ATS Winner – Lamar, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Lamar ranks 11th in steals per game (8.9) while McNeese State ranks 216th (4.8).
- The Cardinals rank 230th in three pointers attempted per game (20.1) while the Cowboys rank 279th (17.5).
- McNeese State ranks 119th in blocks per game (3.1) while Lamar ranks 135th in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
- The Cardinals rank 28th in rebounds per game (38.6) while the Cowboys rank 204th (34.1).
- Lamar averages 14.6 assists per game, which ranks 78th in the NCAA. McNeese State ranks 223rd in assists allowed per game (15.1).
Bettings Trends:
- The Cowboys’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 4.4, up from 4.3 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Cardinals have scored an average of 81.0 points per game (2.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 68.4 points per game (1.9 below their season average).
