Clemson vs McNeese St. prediction, picks for 2025 men's NCAA Tournament
Editor's note: Follow Men's March Madness live scores and updates for Thursday's first-round games.
The 2025 NCAA Tournament is in full swing today. The First Four games are in the books and it's now time for the Round of 64.
Midwest Region action on Thursday features a game between returning March Madness programs Clemson and McNeese State.
The Clemson Tigers finished the 2024-25 season at 27-6, including 18-2 in the ACC, and made it to the semifinals of the conference tournament. That season earned the Tigers a No. 5 seed in the 2025 March Madness bracket. Their opponent, the McNeese State Cowboys, are back in the NCAA Tournament as a No. 12 seed for the second year in a row after winning the Southland Conference title.
Clemson ranks 18th in the KenPom rankings with the 24th-ranked offense and 16th-ranked defense. McNeese ranks 59th overall and is pretty even on both ends of the court with the 63rd-ranked offense and 66th-ranked defense.
Here's how our experts see Thursday's Round of 64 clash playing out. Be sure to check out Paste BN's complete March Madness bracket predictions to see our team's picks for every game. While you're at it, don't forget to read our tournament bold predictions and upset picks.
Here's our Clemson vs. McNeese State picks and predictions.
Clemson vs. McNeese State picks and predictions
- Jordan Mendoza: Clemson
- Paul Myerberg: Clemson
- Erick Smith: Clemson
- Eddie Timanus: Clemson
- Dan Wolken: Clemson
- Craig Meyer: Clemson 67, McNeese 64
It's a clean sweep for the Tigers in these predictions. Clemson made the Elite Eight last year behind one of the better offenses in the country. This time around, the Tigers' defense is much improved and that could power them to victory in the first round. McNeese was a No. 12 seed last year and lost in the opening round to No. 5 Gonzaga.
Clemson vs. McNeese State date, start time, how to watch
- Game Day: Thursday, March 20, 2025
- Game Time: 3:15 p.m. ET
- Location: Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, R.I.
- TV Channel: truTV
- Live Stream: Sling - Watch Now!
Watch Clemson vs. McNeese State on SlingTV
Clemson vs. McNeese State odds
Odds as of Tuesday, March 18 via BetMGM.
- Spread: Clemson -7.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Favorite: Clemson -350
- Moneyline Underdog: McNeese State +275
- Total: 134.5
March Madness game-by-game predictions for Thursday
- Creighton vs Louisville prediction, picks
- High Point vs Purdue prediction, picks
- Montana vs Wisconsin prediction, picks
- SIU Edwardsville vs Houston prediction, picks
- Alabama St. vs Auburn prediction, picks
- McNeese vs. Clemson prediction, picks
- VCU vs BYU prediction, picks
- Georgia vs Gonzaga prediction, picks
- Wofford vs Tennessee prediction, picks
- Arkansas vs Kansas prediction, picks
- Yale vs Texas A&M prediction, picks
- Drake vs Missouri prediction, picks
- Utah St. vs UCLA prediction, picks
- Nebraska Omaha vs St. John's prediction, picks
- UCSD vs Michigan prediction, picks
- N.C. Wilmington vs Texas Tech prediction, pick
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