Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders Picks and Predictions January 26th 2026

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Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders Betting Preview

The Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros look to extend their winning streak as they head into Corpus Christi to face the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders. This Southland Conference matchup features two teams with similar records but different trajectories — the Vaqueros riding momentum from three straight wins, while the Islanders lean on their strong home form at the American Bank Center. With both sides hovering around .500, this game could prove pivotal in shaping their conference standings.

Line Movement and Odds

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi enters as the favorite, but Texas-Rio Grande Valley’s recent hot streak makes this line worth monitoring. Current market:

  • Texas-Rio Grande Valley Spread: +3.5 (-111)
  • Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Spread: -3.5 (-112)
  • Texas-Rio Grande Valley MoneyLine: +143
  • Texas A&M-Corpus Christi MoneyLine: -182
  • Total: 133.5 (-110)

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Matchup Breakdown

Texas-Rio Grande Valley Outlook

The Vaqueros average 70.4 points per game, with Marvin McGhee III, Koree Cotton, and Justin Johnson leading the offense. McGhee’s 17 points vs Houston Christian highlighted his consistency, while Cotton’s 16 points showcased his efficiency. Texas-Rio Grande Valley’s strengths (46.3% FG; 37.4% three-point FG, 52nd nationally; 9-11 overall record; three straight wins) underscore their momentum. Their ability to shoot from deep makes them a dangerous underdog.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Outlook

The Islanders average 73.8 points per game, with Sheldon Williams, Nick Shogbonyo, and Isaac Mushila driving production. Williams’ 22 points and 11 rebounds vs Incarnate Word highlighted his dominance, while Shogbonyo’s 20 points showcased his consistency. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’s strengths (45.1% FG; 37.5 rebounds per game; 11-9 overall record; 6-2 home record) underscore their stability. Their ability to dominate at the American Bank Center makes them tough at home.

Key Factors

This matchup may hinge on perimeter shooting and rebounding. Texas-Rio Grande Valley thrives on three-point accuracy and balanced scoring, while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi must rely on Williams’ inside presence and Shogbonyo’s scoring to tilt the game. Execution in the final minutes will likely decide the margin.

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Injuries / Availability

Texas-Rio Grande Valley: The Vaqueros report no fresh injury concerns heading into Monday’s contest.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi: The Islanders are expected to have their full rotation available.

Environment

The American Bank Center has been a reliable venue for the Islanders, where they’ve gone 6-2 this season. Texas-Rio Grande Valley, however, has shown resilience with recent road success, making this a clash of home dominance versus visiting momentum.

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Best Bets and Prediction

Projected Final Score: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 72, Texas-Rio Grande Valley 70

  • Texas-Rio Grande Valley +3.5 → Best Bet. Their three-point shooting and recent form suggest they can stay within the number.
  • Under 133.5 → Total play. Both teams’ slower pace points toward a combined score below the line.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’s depth and home-court advantage should carry them to victory, while Texas-Rio Grande Valley’s offense keeps the spread in play. Expect a competitive contest with totals landing just under the posted number.

Handicappers and Service Plays

Southland Conference games often create unique betting opportunities. Our Best Handicappers spotlight experts who consistently read market trends, while the Leaderboard highlights who’s riding hot streaks. Premium insights in Buy Picks provide deeper reasoning behind each wager. For contests like Texas-Rio Grande Valley vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, expert perspectives can help identify sharp angles in spreads and totals.