Illinois State Redbirds vs McNeese State Cowboys NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 11/22/24

The Redbirds and Cowboys are set to face off at 3:00 ET on ESPN. The Cowboys will host the game at Sports and Fitness Center in Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands. The over/under for this game is set at 137 points, and McNeese State is favored by -10.5 against Illinois State in a non-conference matchup.

ILLINOIS STATE REDBIRDS VS MCNEESE STATE COWBOYS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Illinois State Redbirds +10.5

This game will be played at Sports and Fitness Center at 3:00 ET on Friday, November 22nd.

WHY BET THE ILLINOIS STATE REDBIRDS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 75-72 in favor of the Cowboys.
• Even though we have McNeese State winning straight-up, we like Illinois State at +10.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 137 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.

Can the Redbirds Grab a Win in Saint Thomas?

Illinois State picked up an 85-75 road win over Ohio on Tuesday, November 12th. Entering the game as +2.5 point underdogs, the Redbirds not only secured the win but also covered the spread.

Illinois State led 40-37 at halftime and outscored Ohio 45-38 in the 2nd half. The game’s total points reached 160, surpassing the O/U line of 146.

Illinois State’s offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, putting up 85 points with a field goal percentage of 61.2%. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 71.4%, thanks in part to their 52.6% shooting from beyond the arc (10/19) and 66.7% shooting inside the arc (20/30). They also knocked down 93.8% of their free throws, going 15/16 from the line.

Dalton Banks led the way with 23 points, shooting 57.1% from the field, while AJ Brown added 20 points, hitting 4 of 8 from three-point range. Caden Boser was perfect from the field, going 6/6 overall and 4/4 from three in just 17 minutes of action. The Redbirds finished with 14 assists and 5 offensive rebounds as a team.

Illinois State’s defense gave up 75 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 47% from the field. They allowed 16 two-point baskets on 30 attempts, a 53% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, Illinois State’s defense conceded 10 threes on 25 attempts, a 40% success rate. They also sent their opponents to the line 16 times, where they converted 13 free throws, shooting 81%.

Can the Cowboys Pull Out the Win as Home Favorites?

McNeese State Cowboys Recent Game/Games

McNeese State picked up a 68-61 win over North Texas on Monday, November 18th. The Cowboys were at home and entered the game as -3.5 point favorites, covering the spread with the win.

McNeese State led 32-19 at halftime but allowed 42 points in the 2nd half while scoring 36. The total points for the game were 129, just over the O/U line of 128.5.

McNeese State managed 68 points in their last game, shooting 44.2% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 48.8%, with a strong 57.7% from two-point range, but they struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 23.5% on 4-of-17 shooting.

The Cowboys made 26 of 39 free throws, shooting 66.7% from the line, and grabbed 10 offensive rebounds. Sincere Parker led the team with 18 points, despite shooting 1-of-6 from three-point range. Quadir Copeland was perfect from the field, going 3-for-3 and finishing with 11 points and 5 rebounds.

Even with McNeese State sending them to the line 39 times, the Cowboys couldn’t capitalize, hitting just 26 free throws for a 66% rate. From the field, they shot 44%, making 19 of 43 attempts.

McNeese State struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on only 4 of 17 three-point attempts for 23%. They were more effective inside, shooting 57% on two-point attempts, going 15 for 26.