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The Southland Conference schedule continues Monday night as the Nicholls Colonels travel to Beaumont, Texas, to face the Lamar Cardinals. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM ET at the Montagne Center, with the game being broadcast on CBSS. Both teams find themselves in similar territory as the season winds down, with Nicholls sitting at 11-17 overall and Lamar just slightly ahead at 12-16. This matchup serves as a critical opportunity for both sides to find some late-season rhythm before the conference tournament begins.
Lamar enters this contest as the favorite on their home floor, where they have played their best basketball this season. They currently hold a 7-8 record at the Montagne Center and will look to bounce back after a tough road loss to New Orleans. Nicholls, meanwhile, has struggled on the road with a 6-12 mark, but they have shown plenty of fight recently, nearly pulling off an upset against Stephen F. Austin in their last outing. With the spread sitting at 4.5, oddsmakers are expecting a competitive battle between these two conference rivals.
The betting markets currently have the total set at 146.5, which is a fairly high number for two teams that have dealt with offensive consistency issues throughout the year. While Nicholls likes to push the pace and launch from deep, Lamar prefers to use their physicality on the glass to dictate the flow. How these contrasting styles clash on Monday will likely determine which side covers the number in what I expect to be a high-energy environment in Beaumont.
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Nicholls vs Lamar Odds
The current betting lines for this Southland showdown are available at most major sportsbooks, though bettors should always monitor the latest college basketball odds for any sudden movements before tip-off.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Nicholls | +164 | +4.5 (-117) | O 146.5 (-110) |
| Lamar | -208 | -4.5 (-109) | U 146.5 (-110) |
Nicholls Betting Form
The Nicholls Colonels have been a difficult team to pin down this season, but their recent performance against Stephen F. Austin suggests they are finding their stride at the right time. Despite the 81-78 loss, the offense looked fluid, led by a massive 24-point performance from Zee Hamoda. When Hamoda is shooting over 70% from the floor like he did in that game, the Colonels are a threat to anyone in the Southland. They rely heavily on the three-point shot, ranking 133rd nationally with nine makes per game, and that perimeter-centric approach often makes them a dangerous underdog when the shots are falling.
For bettors looking at the Nicholls stats and results, the most encouraging sign is their ability to stay within striking distance on the road. Even with a 6-12 away record, many of those losses have come by four points or fewer. They have shown a knack for late-game execution, often keeping the score close enough to frustrate spread bettors backing the favorites. However, depth can be an issue if they run into foul trouble, so keeping an eye on the Nicholls injury report is essential to ensure their primary rotation remains intact for this trip to Beaumont.
I think the key for Nicholls in this spot is whether Trae English and Sincere Malone can provide enough secondary scoring to take the pressure off Hamoda. They average 74 points per game, which is respectable, but they can be prone to long scoring droughts if they aren’t getting to the free-throw line or generating turnovers. Their defensive profile is somewhat league-average, but they have shown enough grit in recent weeks to suggest they won’t be intimidated by the atmosphere at Lamar.
Lamar Betting Form
Lamar comes into this game looking to stabilize a season that has seen its fair share of ups and downs. Their identity is firmly rooted in the paint, where they are one of the better rebounding teams in the country. Ranking 94th in total boards with 37.6 per game, the Cardinals look to win games by generating second-chance points and limiting their opponents to one-and-done possessions. Andrew Holifield and Errol White have been the catalysts for this physical style, and their ability to control the glass will be a massive factor on Monday night.
Looking at the Lamar schedule and stats, there is a noticeable spike in shooting efficiency when they play at home. Players like Rob Lee Jr. have been significantly more comfortable at the Montagne Center, where he has shot over 42% from beyond the arc. If Lamar can combine their interior dominance with a few timely triples, they are very difficult to beat. Bettors should check the Lamar injury report to verify the status of their frontcourt rotation, as any absence there would severely hamper their rebounding advantage.
While Lamar is the better rebounding team, they did struggle in their recent loss to New Orleans, particularly with turnovers and late-game shot selection. They have a tendency to start games strong at home, often building early leads through sheer energy, but maintaining that intensity for 40 minutes has been a challenge. Perhaps the home crowd will provide the necessary lift here, but they will need to be more disciplined than they were in their previous outing to cover a two-possession spread.
Nicholls vs Lamar Matchup Breakdown
This game presents a classic battle between a perimeter-oriented team and an interior-focused one. Nicholls wants to spread the floor, move the ball quickly, and find open looks for Hamoda and English. Lamar, on the other hand, wants to turn the game into a physical grind, using their size to bully the Colonels in the paint. If Nicholls can hit their season average of nine threes, they will likely force Lamar out of their preferred defensive shell, creating lanes for drives to the rim.
The rebounding battle is where this game could be won or lost. Lamar has a clear edge on paper, but Nicholls has shown a surprising ability to scrap for loose balls in high-stakes conference games. If the Colonels can just break even on the glass, their superior three-point shooting should give them a mathematical edge. However, if Lamar dominates the offensive boards and gets to the free-throw line frequently, Nicholls might find themselves in a hole they can’t shoot their way out of.
Pace will also be a major factor. Nicholls scores 74 points per game compared to Lamar’s 71.5, and I expect the Colonels to try and speed things up. Lamar is usually content to play a more deliberate style, but they have been known to get caught in track meets at home. For those looking for an edge, checking a college basketball betting guide can help identify how these pace discrepancies usually play out in conference play.
- Nicholls relies on the 3PT shot (9 makes per game).
- Lamar ranks 94th nationally in rebounding (37.6 per game).
- Nicholls has covered or stayed within 4 points in most recent road games.
- Lamar shoots significantly better from deep at home.
Nicholls vs Lamar Predictions and Best Bets
When looking at the spread of 4.5, it feels just a bit too wide for a matchup between two teams that are separated by only one game in the win column. Nicholls has proven they can play on the road, and their ability to score 74 points per game gives them a high floor in a conference where defense can be optional at times. While our projections suggest Lamar wins a tight one, the 73-71 predicted scoreline makes Nicholls at +4.5 look like the side with the most value.
I think the total of 146.5 is also worth a look toward the Under. While Nicholls scores at a decent clip, both teams have struggled with field goal percentages throughout the season. Lamar’s preference for a physical, rebounding-heavy game tends to bleed the clock, and if the shots aren’t falling early for Nicholls, this game could easily settle into the low 140s. A 144-point total feels much more realistic given the stakes and the shooting inconsistencies of both rosters.
The moneyline is tempting for a Nicholls upset, but the safer play is taking the points. The Colonels have been “close but no cigar” lately, which is exactly what a spread bettor wants to hear. Expect a back-and-forth game where Lamar’s home-court edge secures the win, but Nicholls’ perimeter shooting keeps them well within the number.
Best Bet: Nicholls +4.5 (-117)
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