The McNeese State Cowboys are set to host the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders in a crucial Southland Conference matchup, with the Cowboys looking to bounce back from a 60-67 loss to Stephen F. Austin, which snapped their four-game winning streak, during which they averaged 77.2 points per game and allowed just 63.6 points per game, outscoring their opponents by an average of 13.6 points. The Islanders, on the other hand, are coming off a 69-71 loss to Incarnate Word, their third loss in their last five games, in which they averaged 74.8 points per game but allowed 74.4 points per game, barely outscoring their opponents by an average of 0.4 points. The Cowboys' recent form has been impressive, with their 97-54 win over East Texas A&M being a notable highlight, and they want to continue this trend against the Islanders.
The Cowboys have been led by their strong offense, which has averaged 81.3 points per game over their last three games, including an 81-64 win over Incarnate Word, in which they shot 55.6% from the field and 45.5% from three-point range. The Islanders, however, have struggled with consistency, with their last five games resulting in a 2-3 record, including a 78-84 loss to New Orleans, in which they allowed the Privateers to shoot 51.9% from the field and 47.1% from three-point range. The Islanders must find a way to slow down the Cowboys' offense, which has been clicking on all cylinders, scoring 75 points or more in four of their last five games, including a 75-64 win over Northwestern State, in which they forced the Demons into 17 turnovers.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders' Poor Road Record
Key Matchups
The Cowboys' offense has been led by their star player, who has been on a hot streak, averaging 22.5 points per game over his last four games, including a 25-point performance against Houston Christian, in which he shot 9-14 from the field and 5-8 from three-point range. The Islanders must find a way to contain him, as he has been nearly unstoppable in recent games, scoring 20 points or more in three of his last four games. The Islanders' own star player has also been playing well, averaging 20.8 points per game over his last five games, including a 28-point performance against Lamar, in which he shot 10-17 from the field and 6-10 from three-point range. However, he will face a tough test against the Cowboys' defense, which has allowed just 63.6 points per game over their last five games, including a 60-67 loss to Stephen F. Austin, in which they held the Lumberjacks to 38.5% shooting from the field.
The Cowboys' defense has been the key to their success, as they have allowed just 63.6 points per game over their last five games, including a 73-69 win over Houston Christian, in which they forced the Huskies into 19 turnovers. The Islanders, on the other hand, have struggled on defense, allowing 74.4 points per game over their last five games, including a 78-84 loss to New Orleans, in which they allowed the Privateers to shoot 51.9% from the field. The Cowboys want to take advantage of the Islanders' defensive struggles, as they have scored 75 points or more in four of their last five games, including an 81-64 win over Incarnate Word, in which they shot 55.6% from the field and 45.5% from three-point range. The Islanders must find a way to slow down the Cowboys' offense, which has been clicking on all cylinders, averaging 77.2 points per game over their last five games.
CHD Scout Prediction
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
63
McNeese
79
The CHD Scout prediction has the Cowboys winning by 15.3 points, with an 89.6% win probability, and it's easy to see why, given the Cowboys' recent form and the Islanders' struggles on defense. The Cowboys have been dominant at home, with a 12-1 record, including a 97-54 win over East Texas A&M, in which they shot 58.5% from the field and 50% from three-point range. The Islanders, on the other hand, have struggled on the road, with a 5-8 record, including a 78-84 loss to New Orleans, in which they allowed the Privateers to shoot 51.9% from the field and 47.1% from three-point range. The Cowboys' strong offense and defense, combined with their dominant home record, make them a strong favorite to win this game.
The Cowboys' offense has been led by their ability to score from both inside and outside, with 55.6% of their points coming from two-point range and 31.4% coming from three-point range, including a 45.5% three-point shooting performance against Incarnate Word. The Islanders, on the other hand, have struggled with their outside shooting, making just 32.1% of their three-point attempts over their last five games, including a 2-10 performance against Incarnate Word. The Cowboys want to take advantage of the Islanders' struggles from outside, as they have allowed just 30.4% three-point shooting over their last five games, including a 25% performance against Stephen F. Austin. The Islanders must find a way to get their outside shooting going, as they have made just 35.7% of their three-point attempts over their last five games, including a 5-17 performance against New Orleans.
Tournament Stakes
A win for the Cowboys would be a significant boost to their NCAA Tournament resume, as it would give them a 16-3 record in the Southland Conference and a 23-5 overall record, with a strong chance of earning a top seed in the conference tournament. The Islanders, on the other hand, desperately need a win to boost their own tournament hopes, as they currently sit at 10-8 in the conference and 14-13 overall, with a slim chance of earning a spot in the tournament. A loss would be a significant blow to their chances, as they would fall to 10-9 in the conference and 14-14 overall, making it even more difficult to earn a spot in the tournament. The Islanders must pull off a major upset to keep their tournament hopes alive, as they face a tough test against the Cowboys, who have been dominant at home, with a 12-1 record, including a 97-54 win over East Texas A&M.
The Cowboys have been one of the top teams in the Southland Conference all season, with a 15-3 record in conference play, including a 75-64 win over Northwestern State, in which they forced the Demons into 17 turnovers. The Islanders, on the other hand, have struggled to find consistency, with a 10-8 record in conference play, including a 76-63 win over Lamar, in which they shot 51.9% from the field and 45.5% from three-point range. The Cowboys want to take advantage of the Islanders' struggles, as they have scored 75 points or more in four of their last five games, including an 81-64 win over Incarnate Word, in which they shot 55.6% from the field and 45.5% from three-point range. The Islanders must find a way to slow down the Cowboys' offense, which has been clicking on all cylinders, averaging 77.2 points per game over their last five games, including a 97-54 win over East Texas A&M, in which they shot 58.5% from the field and 50% from three-point range.
The Islanders have been led by their star player, who has been on a hot streak, averaging 20.8 points per game over his last five games, including a 28-point performance against Lamar, in which he shot 10-17 from the field and 6-10 from three-point range. However, he will face a tough test against the Cowboys' defense, which has allowed just 63.6 points per game over their last five games, including a 60-67 loss to Stephen F. Austin, in which they held the Lumberjacks to 38.5% shooting from the field. The Cowboys want to contain the Islanders' star player, as they have allowed just 38.5% shooting from the field over their last five games, including a 25% three-point shooting performance against Stephen F. Austin. The Islanders must find a way to get their star player going, as he has been the key to their offense, scoring 20 points or more in three of his last five games, including a 25-point performance against Nicholls, in which he shot 9-15 from the field and 5-9 from three-point range.