Overview
- The Round of 64 matchup tipped at 3:15 p.m. ET on truTV at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, with McNeese opening an early first-half lead.
- Vanderbilt is the No. 5 seed at 26–8 and McNeese the No. 12 seed at 28–5 entering the South Region showdown.
- Betting markets list Vanderbilt around -11.5 with a total near 148.5–149.5 and a moneyline near -730, per major sportsbooks.
- SportsLine’s 10,000-simulation model projects about 156 combined points and leans to the Over in nearly 70% of runs.
- McNeese arrived as Southland Tournament champion after a 76–59 win over Stephen F. Austin and is known for nation-leading turnover creation, while Vanderbilt features playmaker Tyler Tanner (19.1 points, 5.1 assists, 2.3 steals).