James Madison at Louisiana odds, picks and predictions
The No. 20 James Madison Dukes (13-0, 2-0 Sun Belt) welcome the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (7-6, 0-1) to the Cajundome Thursday. Tip is set for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the James Madison vs. Louisiana odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
James Madison is No. 20 in the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll. It beat the Texas State Bobcats 82-65 Saturday, covering as 12-point home favorites. The Dukes have covered 4 of their last 5 games and are 9-3 against the spread (ATS) on the season. They are 3-2 ATS at home. The Dukes are led by G Terrence Edwards, who is averaging 17.2 points per game (PPG).
Louisiana lost to the Marshall Thundering Herd 75-61 Saturday as 2.5-point road underdogs. It has lost 4 of its last 6 games, but has covered in 4 of those. The Ragin' Cajuns are 6-5 ATS on the season and 3-3 ATS on the road. This will be Louisiana's 1st game against a ranked side. It is led by F Kobe Julien at 18.6 PPG.
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James Madison at Louisiana odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 10:46 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): James Madison -250 (bet $250 to win $100) | Louisiana +198 (bet $100 to win $198)
- Against the spread (ATS): James Madison -5.5 (-112) | Louisiana +5.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 156.5 (O: -113 | U: -113)
James Madison at Louisiana picks and predictions
Prediction
James Madison 83, Louisiana 75
Moneyline
PASS.
James Madison should win on the road but isn't worth a play at -250.
Against the spread
BET JAMES MADISON -5.5 (-112).
The Dukes have been on fire lately, and they have been blowing opponents out. Their last 3 road games, they have won by 14 over Morgan State, 17 over Hampton and 15 over Old Dominion.
James Madison is 4-1 ATS on the road. That doesn't include its 2-0 ATS record on neutral courts either. With Louisiana having yet to face a quality opponent and just 4-4 ATS as an underdog, expect it to struggle against James Madison.
Take JAMES MADISON -5.5 (-112).
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Over/Under
LEAN OVER 156.5 (-113).
Louisiana has a variety of scoring options. It has 5 players averaging 8 or more points per game, all shooting north of 43% from the field and 3 shooting 46% or better. The Ragin' Cajuns are 5-6 O/U on the season and 2-1 O/U in their last 3 games.
James Madison is 8-4 O/U this season. It has scored 76 or more in every game this season and has topped 80 in 11 of them. The Dukes put up 79 against their only Power 5 opponent, Michigan State, and their top-2 scoring options both shoot better than 45% from the field.
Each side can score consistently. Back OVER 156.5 (-113.
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