The Gonzaga Bulldogs will look to avoid an upset against the 12-seeded McNeese State Cowboys in their 2024 NCAA Tournament first-round matchup in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Zags (25-7, 14-2 WCC) are appearing in their 25th consecutive NCAA Tournament, the third-longest active streak behind Kansas (34) and Michigan State (26). Mark Few has won 14 consecutive first-round games and advanced to the Sweet 16 in eight consecutive postseason appearances. No team has won more NCAA Tournament games since 2017 (20).
Gonzaga has won nine of its last 10 games and its only loss came to Saint Mary’s in the West Coast Conference Tournament championship game. Since February 4, it is No. 1 in the country in effective field goal percentage, No. 3 in offensive efficiency and No. 4 in 2-point field goal percentage. The Bulldogs also have the sixth-fewest turnovers in the country over their last 10 games.
The Cowboys (30-3 17-1 Southland) took an 11-game winning streak into the first round, the third-longest in the country, and will be in the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2002. In Will Wade’s first season as head coach, McNeese State set a program record for total wins and tied its best mark for conference wins in a season. Only UConn, Houston and James Madison have 30 or more wins in the postseason.
McNeese State boasts the best scoring margin in the country (18.9) and ranks eighth in 3-point field goal percentage (38.8%). According to hoop-math.com, this is the 10th most shot attempts at the rim in college basketball. The Cowboys also rank third in field goal percentage defense (38.5), steals (10.4) and turnover margin (6.7).
Wade’s team played only two top-100 NET teams and only one Quad 1 game (VCU in the season opener) the entire season. The Southland Conference is ranked 28th out of 33 Division I conferences according to KenPom. The Cowboys defeated only one team to make the NCAA Tournament (UAB).
According to Fox Sports, Gonzaga is 17-10 ATS when playing as a 5-seed or worse in the NCAA Tournament. Since 1985, double-digit seeds have covered the round of 64 49.7% of the time, while underdogs have covered the first round 50.9% of the time. The 12-seed has won 53 first-round games since the field expanded in 1985.
This season, Gonzaga is 14-15 against the spread and 3-4 ATS on neutral site floors. McNeese State is 15-11-1 ATS and has covered four of its five games as an underdog.
Gonzaga vs. McNeese State Betting Odds
Check out the latest betting odds for this matchup SI Sportsbook,
money line: Gonzaga (-333)
Spread: Gonzaga -7.5 (-105)
over under: 149.5 (-118)
