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Gonzaga vs. McNeese State: 2024 NCAA Tournament Odds & Picks

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Now that the 2024 NCAA Tournament brackets have been announced, it’s time to make your sports betting picks to increase the excitement of March Madness. Let's take a look at the early odds and picks for the 2024 NCAA Tournament game: Gonzaga vs. McNeese State. And make sure to check out our 2024 NCAA Tournament Bracket Optimizer to take down your pools!

2024 NCAA Tournament Odds & Picks: Gonzaga vs. McNeese State

Gonzaga 2024 NCAA Tournament Preview

Gonzaga has made eight straight Sweet 16s, but that streak is in jeopardy of being snapped. After ranking 11th in the preseason AP poll, this would have to be described as a down year for Gonzaga, which really has only two impressive wins on its resume. But it is hard to doubt Gonzaga head coach Mark Few in March. Compared to their season-long metrics, the Bulldogs are playing some of their best ball right now, ranking 12th overall since February 1. Their transition offense is electric, with the fourth-highest field goal percentage on the move in DI basketball. The Zags lead the league in near-proximity shooting percentage and rank in the top 10 at converting second-chance opportunities.

The question is whether they can maintain their elite scoring against equally elite defenses. Who wins in a battle of an unstoppable force vs. an immovable object? Well, against teams ranked in the top 25 in defensive efficiency on KenPom, Gonzaga went 1-5. Obviously, “when playing elite teams, they do worse” isn’t exactly a new concept, but it calls into question whether the Bulldogs will be able to step up against the better squads the deeper they go in the tournament. With the 105th overall strength of schedule, Gonzaga could have trouble vs. a team with solid interior defense.

Defensively, things don’t look all that promising for Gonzaga either. The Bulldogs slow down teams but allow a high percentage of perimeter looks, with their defense ranking middle of the pack. They don’t allow any freebies with a low foul rate and solid rebound percentage, but it just seems like this team lacks the firepower to step up and take down any potential Goliath they face. Ryan Nembhard hasn’t been the best after transferring from Creighton. Graham Ike has been solid, but the Bulldogs lack depth in the frontcourt, and Gonzaga depends a lot on Anton Watson for success, with the 6-8 senior ranking fifth in EvanMiya’s “indispensable players” ranking. It’s hard to doubt Mark Few in the tournament, but this might just be the year to fade Gonzaga.

McNeese State 2024 NCAA Tournament Preview

After being hired this offseason, Will Wade took McNeese State and absolutely swept the floor in the Southland Conference. Going 30-3 (17-1 in conference), McNeese looks all the part for a tempting Cinderella selection. Of those three losses, two of them came by one possession, and all happened on the road. Their strength of schedule is a concerning 336th, but they won the games they needed to, including on the road at VCU and Michigan.

This is not your everyday mid-major. When watching the Cowboys, it appears the team is playing as a hive-mind. Their offense is electric, limiting turnovers while capitalizing on defensive breakdowns. Shahada Wells is an elite point guard on both sides of the both with shifty hands and sharshooting potential. Christian Shumate is a delite to watch who plays much bigger than his 6-6 frame. To beat McNeese, you have to make your perimeter shots. I know that sounds obvious but almost 40 percent of opponents’ points come from beyond the arc against McNeese, top-five in the nation. Their inside-out defense allows the look from deep, it’s just a matter of if teams capitalize.

McNeese will slow down the pace and rarely make mistakes, so their opponents have to be on their A-game when taking on Will Wade’s squad. Their strength of schedule is concerning, and you will hear how they played the Mississippi University for Women as a knock against them, but go watch the highlights because McNeese gives nothing easy and takes all their given. Watch out for them Cowboys.

2024 NCAA Tournament Predictions: Gonzaga vs. McNeese State

Former LSU head coach Will Wade took over this McNeese State program and quickly turned it into a strong team. The resumé isn’t terribly impressive, as they didn’t have many formidable non-conference foes, but they ran through the Southland Conference. They’re a methodical and efficient offensive team that shoots 39.4% from beyond the arc. They take care of the ball exceptionally well with just a 14.2% turnover rate, and they get to the free throw line often, although against teams that they easily overpower.

Gonzaga will be a different beast than any team they’ve faced. This is still a Bulldog team that can torch the nets with a 35.5% efficiency from deep and 58.3% shooting from two-point land. They aren’t as reliant on the deep ball as they’ve been in years past, but they can make them if the defense allows them, and McNeese gives up a 48.1 3PA/FGA ratio, dead last in the nation. McNeese will be a sexy upset pick, but this Gonzaga team isn’t as far removed from the ones we’ve seen in the past as they’re perceived. McNeese hasn’t played a team with the talent Gonzaga possesses and it will show on the court.

2024 NCAA Tournament Picks: Gonzaga vs. McNeese State

Bet: Gonzaga -5.5 (-110 via Caesars Sportsbook)

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2024 NCAA Tournament Sports Betting Picks

Now that the 2024 NCAA Tournament brackets have been announced, it’s time to make your sports betting picks to increase the excitement of March Madness. Let's take a look at the early odds and picks for the 2024 NCAA Tournament

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2024 NCAA Tournament Bracket Pool Strategy & Picks

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