Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros vs Northwestern State Demons Picks and Predictions January 12th 2026

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Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros vs Northwestern State Demons Betting Preview

The Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros enter 6-10 and look to bounce back from a recent loss, while the Northwestern State Demons aim to protect their home court in this Southland Conference clash at Prather Coliseum.

Line Movement and Odds

Texas-Rio Grande Valley opened as the slight favorite, with the line reflecting confidence in their offensive profile. Current market:

  • Texas-Rio Grande Valley Spread: -2.5 (-117)
  • Northwestern State Spread: +2.5 (-109)
  • Texas-Rio Grande Valley MoneyLine: -151
  • Northwestern State MoneyLine: +121
  • Total: 145.5 (-110)

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Matchup Breakdown

Texas-Rio Grande Valley Outlook

The Vaqueros average 75.1 points per game, with Filip Brankovic, Marvin McGhee III, and Koree Cotton leading the offense. Brankovic’s 16 points and 7 rebounds vs East Texas A&M highlighted his consistency, while McGhee’s 14 points and 4 assists added balance. Their shooting efficiency (53.7% effective FG, 119th nationally) and three-point accuracy (37.4%, 47th nationally) underscore offensive strength. Their 2-6 road record shows struggles, though recent wins away from home add confidence.

Northwestern State Outlook

The Demons average 72.9 points per game, with Micah Thomas, Izzy Miles, and Jamal Pettigrew providing scoring depth. Thomas’ 20 points vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi highlighted his leadership, while Miles’ 17 points added balance. Their 4-3 home record underscores strength at Prather Coliseum, with free-throw shooting (73.7% accuracy) adding reliability. Their 5-11 overall record shows inconsistency, though individual performances provide sparks.

Key Matchup / Path to Victory

The game hinges on Texas-Rio Grande Valley’s ability to maintain offensive rhythm and perimeter shooting, while Northwestern State must lean on Thomas’ scoring and Miles’ efficiency to pace the attack. If the Vaqueros control tempo and rebounding, their depth should create separation. Northwestern State’s hopes rest on home-court energy and free-throw accuracy to keep the game close.

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Injuries / Availability

Texas-Rio Grande Valley: No injuries reported.

Northwestern State: No notable injuries listed.

Environment

Prather Coliseum provides Northwestern State with a strong home-court edge, where they have gone 4-3 this season. Texas-Rio Grande Valley’s balanced offense highlights their ability to compete despite road struggles.

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Best Bets and Prediction

Projected Final Score: Texas-Rio Grande Valley 77, Northwestern State 73

  • Texas-Rio Grande Valley -2.5 → Best Bet. Their offensive efficiency and three-point shooting make them the sharper side.
  • Under 145.5 → Total play. Both teams’ slower pace points toward a combined score below the line.

Texas-Rio Grande Valley’s depth and shooting efficiency should dictate the game, while Northwestern State’s home-court advantage keeps the spread in play. Expect a competitive contest trending under the total.

Handicappers and Service Plays

Southland Conference games often create unique betting angles. Our Best Handicappers spotlight experts who consistently read market shifts, while the Leaderboard shows who’s riding winning streaks. Premium insights in Buy Picks provide deeper reasoning behind each wager. For matchups like Texas-Rio Grande Valley vs Northwestern State, expert perspectives can help identify sharp angles in spreads and totals.

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