The McNeese State Cowboys (11-16, 7-9 SthLnd) will travel to American Bank Center to go head-to-head with the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders (9-17, 6-10 SthLnd) in their home finale. Action gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 28, 2018.
McNeese State Cowboys at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders Betting Preview
The Cowboys defeated the Houston Baptist Huskies in their last matchup, 88-79. Jarren Greenwood was the game’s high scorer with 21 points on 7-for-12 shooting. McNeese State played a nearly flawless game. They had an extraordinary free throw rate of 0.379 (above their season average of 0.230) and a turnover percentage of 12.2 (better than their season average of 16.9). For those same stats, Houston Baptist was 0.145 and 15.9, respectively.
In the Islanders’ last game, they were topped by the Incarnate Word Cardinals, 69-62. Joseph Kilgore was the top scorer from either team with 23 points on 7-for-15 shooting. Incarnate Word had an offensive rebounding percentage of 33.3 (above their season average of 28.3). Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, on the other hand, forced the Cardinals into a turnover percentage of 23.7 (above their season average of 19.4).
It will be a matchup of conflicting paces as the fast-paced Cowboys (ranked 36th in the NCAA in possessions per game) will look to push the more half-court-oriented Islanders (201st in possessions per game).
Quatarrius Wilson has really been playing well over the last five games for McNeese State, averaging 14.2 points and 13.0 rebounds per game.
This is the first time these teams will clash this year, after the Islanders won both matchups last season. In the last game, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi won 81-70. The Islanders dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a fantastic free throw rate of 0.365 and a turnover percentage of 14.9. For those same stats, the Cowboys were 0.263 and 20.4, respectively.
McNeese State Cowboys at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders Prediction
Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, ATS Winner – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Islanders rank 69th in steals per game (7.0) while the Cowboys rank 149th in steals allowed per game (6.5).
- McNeese State ranks 261st in assists per game (11.2) while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi ranks 264th (11.2).
- Texas A&M-Corpus Christi ranks 94th in rebounds allowed per game (33.5) while McNeese State ranks 273rd (38.4).
- The Cowboys rank 193rd in three pointers attempted per game (20.7) while the Islanders rank 306th (14.9).
- McNeese State ranks 35th in blocks per game (4.6) while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi ranks 144th (3.0).
Bettings Trends:
- The Islanders’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 5.8, up from 4.0 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Cowboys have scored an average of 76.8 points per game (1.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 82.2 points per game (5.6 above their season average).
- The Islanders’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 5.8, up from 4.0 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Cowboys have scored an average of 76.8 points per game (1.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 82.2 points per game (5.6 above their season average).
