The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns will face off against the Old Dominion Monarchs in Norfolk, VA, as part of an eagerly awaited college basketball matchup scheduled for 5 p.m. ET, streaming on ESPN+. Old Dominion is favored by 6 points, boasting a moneyline of -260, while the total points for the game are set at 136.
The Ragin’ Cajuns come into this game with a challenging 9-17 overall record. Despite a rough start to the season, where they lost 10 of their first 11 games, Louisiana has shown signs of recovery by winning four of their last five contests. Head coach Quannas White, who succeeded Bob Marlin after a long tenure, is eager to build momentum following these recent victories.
Louisiana’s offense is spearheaded by junior guard Dorian Finister, who averages over 14 points per game alongside five rebounds and two assists. Another key player is sophomore Jaxon Olvera, a former Pepperdine guard who contributes more than 11 points per game, despite struggling with shooting efficiency at just 36%. Overall, the Ragin’ Cajuns have struggled offensively, averaging under 63 points per game and ranking poorly in offensive efficiency.
On the defensive side, Louisiana performs slightly better, allowing about 69 points per game. However, they rank 230th in defensive efficiency, having faced a relatively weak strength of schedule.
Conversely, the Old Dominion Monarchs hold an 8-18 overall record and are 4-9 in Sun Belt Conference play. They have exhibited a mixed performance recently but typically score over 74 points per game, thanks in part to senior guard KC Shaw, who averages nearly 17 points, and senior LJ Thomas, who contributes over 11 points along with four rebounds and three assists. They have struggled with turnovers, ranking low in offensive efficiency.
On the defensive end, Old Dominion has allowed nearly 79 points per game this season, resulting in a scoring margin of -3.5, and they rank outside the top 250 for defensive efficiency.
As the two teams prepare for this pivotal game, both are eager to gain momentum ahead of the upcoming Sun Belt Tournament. While Louisiana appears to be in better form, there is concern about their potential for regression as many of their recent wins came on their home floor.
With the odds higher than expected, a moneyline bet on Old Dominion may present a strategic choice for parlays. The matchup promises intensity, as each team vies for confidence and a crucial victory on the court.