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Southeastern Louisiana Lions vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders Picks and Predictions February 23, 2026

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The Southland Conference race continues Monday night as the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders travel to Hammond, Louisiana, to face the Southeastern Louisiana Lions. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET at the University Center, and fans can catch the action on ESPN+. Both teams are looking to find their footing in the final stretch of the season, with the Islanders sitting at an even 14-14 overall and the Lions struggling at 8-20.

Corpus Christi enters this contest as the short road favorite despite a recent double-digit loss to McNeese State. That performance was uncharacteristic of an Islanders team that has actually been quite resilient on the road this year, securing six wins away from home. Southeastern Louisiana has had a very difficult campaign overall, but they have been far more competitive in their own building, where they have managed a respectable 6-6 record. With the spread currently sitting at 2.5 points, the betting market expects a tight battle that could come down to the final few possessions.

The total for this matchup is set at 131.5, suggesting a more deliberate and defensive-minded game than some of the other high-flying Southland matchups. While the Islanders have the offensive edge on paper, Southeastern Louisiana has shown they can turn their home venue into a grind for visitors. This game is essentially a must-win for Corpus Christi if they want to stay relevant in the conference standings, while the Lions are playing for pride and a chance to protect their home court.

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Texas A&M-Corpus Christi vs Southeastern Louisiana Odds

The lines below reflect the current market for Monday’s game, though bettors should always monitor the latest college basketball odds for any movement caused by late injury news or professional action.

TeamMoneylineSpreadTotal
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi-152-2.5 (-112)O 131.5 (-113)
Southeastern Louisiana+122+2.5 (-112)U 131.5 (-110)

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Betting Form

The Islanders are coming off a frustrating performance against McNeese State where they only managed 54 points. To be honest, that was an outlier for a team that usually averages over 72 points per game. The bright spot in that loss was the play of Nick Shogbonyo, who dropped 20 points on 70 percent shooting. When Shogbonyo is that efficient, the Islanders are typically in a much better position to win. They also rely heavily on Sheldon Williams, who provides a double-double threat every time he steps on the floor with averages of 11.5 points and nearly seven rebounds.

When looking at the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi stats and results, one metric that stands out is their ability to get to the free-throw line. They rank 92nd in the country in free-throw attempts per game, which is a major advantage in close conference games. If they can force the Lions into early foul trouble, they can control the pace and secure easy points while the clock is stopped. Bettors should definitely keep an eye on the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi injury report to ensure their primary ball handlers are fully available for this road trip.

The Islanders have a 6-9 road record, which is actually better than many of their Southland peers. They don’t seem to be intimidated by hostile environments, and their defensive structure usually travels well. Perhaps the loss to McNeese was the wake-up call they needed to sharpen their offensive execution. I expect them to look for D’Avian Houston early in the game to set the tone, especially after he displayed his playmaking ability with five assists in the last outing.

Southeastern Louisiana Betting Form

It has been a long season for the Southeastern Louisiana Lions, but their 6-6 record at home proves they are a different team in Hammond. They are coming off a rough 21-point loss to Texas-Rio Grande Valley, but Isaiah Gaines was a revelation in that game. His 24 points and seven rebounds showed that the Lions have the individual talent to compete if their supporting cast shows up. Gaines is the centerpiece of their interior attack, and they will likely feed him early and often against an Islanders frontcourt that can sometimes be aggressive to a fault.

For those tracking the Southeastern Louisiana schedule and stats, the key to their success is often their free-throw shooting. They average 14.5 made free throws per game, which helps them stay competitive even when their field goal percentage dips. Jeremy Elyzee and Jalen Forrest provide the necessary depth to keep the offense moving, but the Lions often struggle when they are forced to play from behind. Checking the Southeastern Louisiana injury report is vital here, as their rotation is already thin, and any missing pieces could be catastrophic against a deeper Islanders roster.

The Lions need to utilize the energy of the University Center to disrupt the Islanders’ rhythm. When they play at home, their defensive rotations seem a step faster, and they tend to shoot the ball with more confidence. If they can turn this into a low-scoring, physical contest, they have a legitimate chance to pull off the minor upset as a home underdog. However, their 2-14 record away from home suggests that their confidence is heavily tied to their surroundings, making this home game a crucial spot for them.

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Texas A&M-Corpus Christi vs Southeastern Louisiana Matchup Breakdown

The most significant gap in this matchup is offensive efficiency. The Islanders average 72.6 points per game, while the Lions struggle to reach 65. In a game with a spread this small, that eight-point discrepancy is a lot to overcome for a home team that often goes through long scoring droughts. Corpus Christi also has a more reliable free-throw creation rate, which usually pays dividends in the final four minutes of a tight game.

Pace will be the battleground here. Southeastern Louisiana wants to slow things down and limit possessions, while the Islanders are comfortable playing a bit faster if the opportunity arises. If the Lions can keep this in the 60s, they have a shot. If Corpus Christi pushes it toward the mid-70s, the Lions simply don’t have the fire-power to keep up. Reading an advanced NCAAB betting strategies guide can help you understand how these pace mismatches often create value on the total.

  • TAMUCC ranks 92nd nationally in free-throw attempts.
  • Southeastern Louisiana is a much better team at home (6-6) than on the road (2-14).
  • The Islanders have a clear offensive advantage, scoring 8 more points per game on average.
  • Isaiah Gaines is coming off a season-high 24 points for the Lions.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi vs Southeastern Louisiana Predictions and Best Bets

I think the Islanders are the right play here, even on the road. The 2.5-point spread feels a bit low considering the overall talent gap and the offensive metrics. While Southeastern Louisiana is respectable at home, they just don’t score enough points consistently to trust them against an Islanders team that is fighting for conference positioning. Our projection has Corpus Christi winning this game by five or six points, which gives us a nice cushion against the current number.

As for the total, the Under 131.5 is the lean. I know it is a low number, but both teams have shown significant offensive inefficiencies lately. The Islanders are coming off a 54-point outing, and the Lions have a habit of playing very slow in Hammond to shorten the game. Perhaps one team gets hot from deep, but the historical pace and shooting percentages for both squads point toward a defensive struggle. I expect a final score somewhere in the neighborhood of 67-62.

Taking the Islanders on the moneyline is also a viable option if you want to avoid the small spread, but laying the -2.5 is the preferred betting angle. Their ability to get to the charity stripe should be the difference maker when the Lions are forced to foul late.

Best Bet: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi -2.5 (-112)

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