The weekend is behind us, but the action doesn’t stop. With another jam-packed week ahead, it’s time for Ben’s Bet of the Day — and today we’re getting a little creative. After a thrilling Sunday of football, you might think the obvious move is to focus on Monday Night Football. But we’re going somewhere different. Instead of the NFL, I’m turning my attention to college basketball and diving into a lesser-known matchup: McNeese State-North Texas. Be sure to head to OddsShopper for more +EV college basketball bets!
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Free CBB Expert Pick: McNeese State -4 vs. North Texas
We’re just a few games into the college basketball season, and while the sample sizes are small, we’re starting to gather useful data. North Texas has had a strong start, sitting at 3-0 with wins over Evansville and Minnesota, and another against Wayland — a school that might sound more like a book title than a basketball team.
North Texas plays at an incredibly slow pace, one of the slowest in all of college basketball. While this can make its defensive metrics look strong, it’s important to evaluate its numbers per possession rather than raw totals. Its transfer-heavy roster has gelled well so far, but tonight it will face a real test on the road against McNeese State.
McNeese State hasn’t had the smoothest start, sitting at 1-2. Its wins and losses reflect the competition it has faced: A blowout win against a non-Division I opponent, a road loss to South Dakota State and a respectable performance in a loss to Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
McNeese State’s defensive numbers don’t look great on paper, but context matters. Playing Alabama in Tuscaloosa has a way of skewing anyone’s stats. Despite the loss, McNeese State was competitive, holding its own for much of the game.
While North Texas thrives on slowing things down, McNeese State has the tools to push the pace at home. If it can force the Mean Green out of their methodical shell, the Cowboys will be in a great position to cover this spread.
Early in the college basketball season, I like targeting teams with upside that haven’t quite put it together yet. McNeese State fits that mold. It has a talented, transfer-heavy roster and returns more production than North Texas. I’m buying in on its potential, especially in this spot at home.
This line opened at McNeese State -4 and has moved slightly depending on the sportsbook. I’m comfortable taking the Cowboys at -5 or better, but anything beyond that starts to lose value. Points add up quickly in a matchup like this, so shop around for the best line.
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