McNeese State Cowboys vs Northwestern State Demons NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/6/25
This article was published on Jan 6, 2025. Today’s picks College Basketball picks

Betting on today’s Cowboys and Demons game? Catch the action at Prather Coliseum in Natchitoches, LA, as the Demons hosts this showdown at 7:30 ET on ESPN+. McNeese State is favored by -10.5 in this Southland conference contest against Northwestern State. The game’s over/under currently sits at 130.5 points.
MCNEESE STATE COWBOYS VS NORTHWESTERN STATE DEMONS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Northwestern State Demons +10.5
This game will be played at Prather Coliseum at 7:30 ET on Monday, January 6th.
WHY BET THE NORTHWESTERN STATE DEMONS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-70 in favor of the Demons.
- Not only will Northwestern State pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +10.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 130.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.
Will McNeese State Secure A Victory as Road Favorites?
McNeese State Cowboys Recent Game/Games
McNeese State improved to 7-5 on the season with a 75-56 road win over East Texas A&M on Saturday. The Cowboys entered the game as -16.5 point favorites and covered the spread.
McNeese State took control early, leading 41-23 at halftime. They scored 34 points in the 2nd half while allowing 33. The game’s total points of 131 fell short of the O/U line of 136.5.
McNeese State put up 75 points in their latest game, shooting 50.9% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 56.4%. They hit 59.5% of their two-point attempts (22/37) and connected on 33.3% from beyond the arc (6/18). The Cowboys also went 13/20 from the free-throw line, shooting 65%.
Javohn Garcia led the way, scoring 24 points on 9/12 shooting, including 2/4 from three, and adding 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Yusef Salih contributed 18 points, hitting 4/8 from deep and 6/12 overall. Quadir Copeland chipped in 13 points, going 5/8 from the field and dishing out 6 assists.
McNeese State’s defense was on point, holding their opponent to just 56 points and a 31% shooting performance. They limited two-point shots to 10/28, or 35%.
From beyond the arc, McNeese State gave up 10 threes on 36 attempts, a 27% success rate. They also sent their opponent to the line 8 times, where they made 6 free throws.
Taking a Look at the Demons Chances at Home
Northwestern State Demons Recent Game/Games
Northwestern State improved to 4-7 on the season with a 68-66 win over Nicholls on Saturday, January 4th. The Demons, playing at home, were favored by 1.5 points and covered the spread with the victory.
Northwestern State led 36-33 at halftime and scored 32 points in the 2nd half while allowing 33. The total points for the game were 134, falling short of the 138.5-point over/under line.
Northwestern State’s offense struggled in their last game, shooting just 38.6% from the field and 27.8% from beyond the arc, finishing with an effective field goal percentage of 42.1%. They did manage to hit 79.2% of their free throws, going 19-for-24 from the line.
Micah Thomas and Michael Gray Jr. each contributed 18 points, with Gray hitting 4 threes at a 44.4% clip. Addison Patterson added 12 rebounds and 4 assists, while Byron Ireland dished out 6 assists. The Demons also grabbed 17 offensive rebounds in the game.
Northwestern State’s defense held their opponent to 66 points on 38% shooting from the field, including 43% on two-point attempts (17/39). They also limited three-point damage, with the opposing team hitting just 5 of 18 threes (27%).
The Demons sent their opponent to the line 24 times, where they converted 19 free throws (79%). Northwestern State also allowed 17 offensive rebounds in the game.
