Vanderbilt Commodores Defeat McNeese Cowboys 78-68
Thursday, March 19, 2026, 3:15 PM ET · Paycom Center
Vanderbilt Commodores 78, McNeese Cowboys 68, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won McNeese Cowboys vs Vanderbilt Commodores?
Vanderbilt Commodores beat McNeese Cowboys 78-68 at Paycom Center on March 19, 2026.
Who was favored in McNeese Cowboys vs Vanderbilt Commodores?
Vanderbilt Commodores were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -700 (about 88% implied). The favorite won.
In a closely contested matchup, the Vanderbilt Commodores secured a 78-68 victory over the McNeese Cowboys at the Paycom Center. This game was notable not only for the win but also for the contrasting recent forms of both teams. Vanderbilt entered the game with a record of 27-8 and had been struggling slightly, going 6-4 in their last ten games, including a recent loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks. In contrast, McNeese had been on a remarkable run, winning their last ten games and boasting an overall record of 28-6.
Vanderbilt's recent form showed a scoring average of 80.8 points per game while allowing 78.6 points, indicating a high-scoring offense but also vulnerabilities on defense. Their last five games reflected a slight improvement, with an average of 83.2 points scored and 79.2 points allowed. They had a home record of 3-1 in their last four games leading up to this matchup. Conversely, McNeese's last ten games had them averaging 77.2 points scored and only 64.0 allowed, showcasing a strong defensive effort that had contributed significantly to their winning streak.
The game featured a spread of -12.5 in favor of Vanderbilt, according to DraftKings, with a total set at 148.5 points. This indicated a belief in a relatively high-scoring affair, which ultimately played out as Vanderbilt managed to score 78 points while holding McNeese to 68. The Commodores' home win probability was recorded at 1.0, reflecting confidence in their ability to secure the victory.
Vanderbilt's scoring was highlighted by key plays in the second half, including a crucial three-pointer from DJ Richards Jr. and a dunk from Devin McGlockton, helping to maintain their lead. The Commodores capitalized on their scoring opportunities, with Tyler Nickel contributing with free throws that extended their lead late in the game. In the final moments, Duke Miles also added to the scoreline with successful free throws, sealing the win for Vanderbilt.
The injury picture for both teams was not detailed in the provided facts, but it is often a critical factor in such matchups. The conditions at the Paycom Center were not specified, but typically, such venues provide a neutral ground for both teams, which can impact performance.
Overall, this matchup highlighted the resilience of Vanderbilt as they overcame a formidable opponent in McNeese, who had been riding a wave of momentum. The victory not only boosts Vanderbilt's confidence but also sets the stage for their upcoming challenges as they look to build on this performance.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | VAN -12.5 | 148.5 o -115 / u -105 | McNeese Cowboys +500 · Vanderbilt Commodores -700 |
Leaders
- PointsTyler Tanner26Vanderbilt Commodores
- AssistsTyler Tanner5Vanderbilt Commodores
- ReboundsAK Okereke9Vanderbilt Commodores
- PointsGarwey Dual16McNeese Cowboys
- AssistsGarwey Dual6McNeese Cowboys
- ReboundsJerrell Colbert6McNeese Cowboys
Recent form
Vanderbilt Commodores
Last 10: 6-4Streak L180.8 scored · 78.6 allowed per game3-1 at home
- L75-86at Arkansas RazorbacksMar 15
- W91-74at Florida GatorsMar 14
- W75-68vs Tennessee VolunteersMar 13
- W86-82at Tennessee VolunteersMar 7
- W89-86at Ole Miss RebelsMar 4
- L77-91at Kentucky WildcatsFeb 28
- W88-80vs Georgia BulldogsFeb 26
- L65-69vs Tennessee VolunteersFeb 21
- L80-81at Missouri TigersFeb 19
- W82-69vs Texas A&M AggiesFeb 14
McNeese Cowboys
Last 10: 10-0Streak W1077.2 scored · 64 allowed per game5-0 away
- W76-59at Stephen F. Austin LumberjacksMar 11
- W84-80vs UT Rio Grande Valley VaquerosMar 11
- W75-65at Nicholls ColonelsMar 3
- W66-63at LSU New Orleans PrivateersFeb 28
- W75-68vs UT Rio Grande Valley VaquerosFeb 24
- W70-54vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi IslandersFeb 22
- W75-64at Northwestern State DemonsFeb 17
- W97-54at East Texas A&M LionsFeb 14
- W73-69vs Houston Christian HuskiesFeb 10
- W81-64vs Incarnate Word CardinalsFeb 7
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen F. Austin | 28-6 | - | 20-2 |
| McNeese | 28-6 | 1 | 19-3 |
| UT Rio Grande Valley | 19-14 | 6 | 14-8 |
| Texas A&M-Corpus Christi | 18-15 | 7 | 13-9 |
| LSU New Orleans | 15-18 | 8 | 12-10 |
| Nicholls | 14-19 | 8 | 12-10 |
| Houston Christian | 12-20 | 12 | 8-14 |
| Northwestern State | 10-22 | 12 | 8-14 |
| Incarnate Word | 12-19 | 13 | 7-15 |
| Lamar | 12-19 | 13 | 7-15 |
| East Texas A&M | 11-21 | 14 | 6-16 |
| SE Louisiana | 9-22 | 14 | 6-16 |
| Florida | 27-8 | - | 16-2 |
| Arkansas | 28-9 | 3 | 13-5 |
| Alabama | 25-10 | 3 | 13-5 |
| Vanderbilt | 27-9 | 5 | 11-7 |
| Tennessee | 25-12 | 5 | 11-7 |
| Texas A&M | 22-12 | 5 | 11-7 |
| Georgia | 22-11 | 6 | 10-8 |
| Kentucky | 22-14 | 6 | 10-8 |
| Missouri | 20-13 | 6 | 10-8 |
| Texas | 21-15 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Auburn | 22-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Oklahoma | 21-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Mississippi State | 13-19 | 11 | 5-13 |
| Ole Miss | 15-20 | 12 | 4-14 |
| South Carolina | 13-19 | 12 | 4-14 |
| LSU | 15-17 | 13 | 3-15 |
Box score
| Stat | McNeese Cowboys | Vanderbilt Commodores |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 25-69 | 26-51 |
| Field goal % | 36 | 51 |
| Three-pointers | 9-26 | 9-24 |
| Three-point % | 35 | 38 |
| Free throws | 9-9 | 17-20 |
| Free throw % | 100 | 85 |
| Rebounds | 34 | 37 |
| Offensive rebounds | 16 | 9 |
| Defensive rebounds | 18 | 28 |
| Assists | 11 | 15 |
| Steals | 9 | 3 |
| Blocks | 5 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 6 | 13 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 16 | 13 |
| Fast-break points | 16 | 5 |
| Points in the paint | 22 | 34 |
| Fouls | 17 | 11 |
| Largest lead | 11 | 12 |
| Lead changes | 5 | 5 |
| Time in front | 37 | 58 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half35-45Tyler Nickel makes 25-foot three point jumper (Tyler Tanner assists)
- 2nd Half38-45Garwey Dual makes 25-foot three point jumper (Tyshawn Archie assists)
- 2nd Half39-45Larry Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half40-45Larry Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half42-45Larry Johnson makes driving layup (Garwey Dual assists)
- 2nd Half42-47Jalen Washington makes layup
- 2nd Half44-47Javohn Garcia makes driving layup
- 2nd Half44-48Duke Miles makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half44-49Duke Miles makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half45-49Larry Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half46-49Larry Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half46-51Tyler Tanner makes driving layup
- 2nd Half46-52Tyler Tanner makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half48-52Tyshawn Archie makes driving layup
- 2nd Half48-54Tyler Tanner makes driving layup
- 2nd Half50-54Tyshawn Archie makes driving layup
- 2nd Half50-56Duke Miles makes driving layup
- 2nd Half52-56Garwey Dual makes 17-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half52-57Tyler Tanner makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-58Tyler Tanner makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-58Garwey Dual makes driving layup
- 2nd Half54-60Chandler Bing makes driving layup
- 2nd Half57-60DJ Richards Jr. makes 28-foot three point jumper (Garwey Dual assists)
- 2nd Half57-63Tyler Tanner makes 27-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half58-63DJ Richards Jr. makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half59-63DJ Richards Jr. makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half60-63DJ Richards Jr. makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half60-65Duke Miles makes layup
- 2nd Half60-68Tyler Tanner makes 25-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half60-70Tyler Tanner makes driving layup
- 2nd Half60-71Tyler Tanner makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-72Tyler Tanner makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half63-72DJ Richards Jr. makes 25-foot three point jumper (Garwey Dual assists)
- 2nd Half63-74Devin McGlockton makes 1-foot dunk (Duke Miles assists)
- 2nd Half65-74Garwey Dual makes driving layup
- 2nd Half65-75Tyler Nickel makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-76Tyler Nickel makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-76Javohn Garcia makes 25-foot three point jumper (Garwey Dual assists)
- 2nd Half68-77Duke Miles makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-78Duke Miles makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Vanderbilt Commodores, below favours McNeese Cowboys.
Venue
- Paycom CenterOklahoma City, OK
- Attendance15677
- OfficialsRoger Ayers, Brooks Wells, Lucas Santos
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