The McNeese State Cowboys (12-10, 7-4 SthLnd) will be at the American Bank Center to challenge the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders (9-14, 5-7 SthLnd) in a SthLnd matchup. The game gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.
McNeese State Cowboys at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders Betting Odds
Both teams lost in their last game. The Islanders fell to the Houston Baptist Huskies, 82-77, while the Cowboys were defeated by the Lamar Cardinals, 96-91.
McNeese State had an offensive rebounding percentage of 38.5 (above their season average of 31.8) while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi forced Houston Baptist into a turnover percentage of 22.1 (above their season average of 17.7). Myles Smith was a key piece for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi with 17 points and seven assists. McNeese State, meanwhile, rallied around Sha’markus Kennedy, who recorded 19 points and 14 rebounds.
The Islanders won the lone contest between these two teams last year, 59-50. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (32.4 vs. 23.1). McNeese State, on the other hand, had a much better turnover percentage (11.6 vs. 16.9). This is the first time these teams will battle this year.
The Cowboys’ Kennedy has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 22 points,13.8 rebounds,3.8 blocks per game. Meanwhile, Smith has averaged 11 points,4.6 assists during that same time frame for the Islanders.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi could have difficulty getting to the free throw line in this meeting. The Islanders currently rank 173rd in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.226, while McNeese State ranks 68th in FTA rate allowed (0.188). Opposite paces will be on display in this battle. The up-tempo Cowboys rank 53rd in possessions per game, while the slower-paced Islanders rank 296th.
McNeese State Cowboys at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, ATS Winner – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- McNeese State ranks 17th in assists per game (16.4) while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi ranks 199th (12.1).
- The Cowboys rank 42nd in blocks per game (4.4) while the Islanders rank 130th (3.0).
- McNeese State is 49th in the nation with 32.5 rebounds allowed per game while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is 60th with 33.0 rebounds allowed per game.
- The Islanders rank 102nd in three pointers allowed per game (20.7) while the Cowboys rank 263rd (25.2).
- McNeese State ranks 87th in steals per game (7.1) while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi ranks 208th in steals allowed per game (8.1).
Bettings Trends:
- The Islanders have outscored opponents by an average of 1.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi has been defeated by an average of 3.1 points.
- During their last five games, the Cowboys have scored an average of 83.0 points per game (1.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 74.4 points per game (0.8 above their season average).
