Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns vs James Madison Dukes Picks and Predictions for Wednesday March 4 2026
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The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns face the James Madison Dukes in the Sun Belt Championship Second Round on Wednesday night at the Pensacola Bay Center in Pensacola, Florida. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM ET with television coverage on ESPN+. At the time of this writing the odds were not released for this matchup. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more predictions and betting analysis on today’s slate of games.
Louisiana Looks to Ride Momentum After Opening Round Win
Louisiana enters the second round with an 11-21 overall record and a 7-11 mark in Sun Belt play. The Ragin’ Cajuns advanced in the tournament after recently winning over Georgia State 84-75 in the opening round. Over their last five games, Louisiana has recently won over Georgia State and Texas State while recently losing to Arkansas State twice and Troy.
From a statistical perspective, Louisiana averages 62.7 points per game while allowing 70.2 points per contest. The Ragin’ Cajuns shoot 40% from the field, pull down 30.3 rebounds per game, and average 10.5 assists per contest. Defensively they generate 5.6 steals and 3.5 blocks per game, showing an ability to disrupt opponents but often struggling to produce consistent offense.
In the first-round win, Jaxon Olvera delivered a dominant performance with 29 points and 9 rebounds, leading the Cajuns on both ends of the floor. Louisiana also controlled the glass with a 40-30 rebounding advantage, a key factor in advancing. On a short turnaround, the Cajuns will need another efficient scoring night from Olvera and continued rebounding success if they hope to keep pace with the Dukes’ offense.
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James Madison Opens Tournament With Rest Advantage
James Madison enters the Sun Belt Championship with a 17-14 overall record and a 9-9 conference record, earning an opening-round bye and advancing directly into this second-round matchup. In recent form, the Dukes have recently won over Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Coastal Carolina, and Appalachian State while recently losing to Coastal Carolina in a tight 69-68 contest.
The Dukes are a much more explosive offensive team statistically, averaging 74.0 points per game while allowing 73.5 points per contest. James Madison shoots 45% from the field, grabs 36.7 rebounds per game, and dishes 12.6 assists per game. Defensively they add 5.3 steals and 4.2 blocks per game, giving them a slight athletic edge on the defensive side of the ball.
In their most recent game against Coastal Carolina, Cliff Davis poured in 25 points to lead the Dukes offensively, while Justin McBride grabbed 7 rebounds to lead the team on the glass. Despite the narrow loss, the Dukes shot 35% from three-point range and kept the game competitive. With extra rest thanks to the bye, James Madison should come in fresher and able to lean on their deeper rotation.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns vs James Madison Dukes Pick
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns vs James Madison Dukes Spread Pick
- Pick: James Madison Dukes Moneyline
James Madison gets the edge in this matchup because of the combination of offensive production and rest. Louisiana played Tuesday night and now faces a quick turnaround, while the Dukes come in with fresh legs after the opening-round bye. James Madison’s scoring ability and rebounding advantage should allow them to control stretches of this game and eventually pull away late.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns vs James Madison Dukes Total Pick
- Pick: Over 136
I like the over in this spot because James Madison typically plays at a faster tempo and averages 74 points per game. Louisiana also showed in the first-round game that they can score when their offense gets going, putting up 84 points. With tournament pressure often leading to quicker possessions and transition opportunities, I expect both teams to contribute enough offense to push this game over the number.
Final Score Prediction: James Madison 74, Louisiana 68
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