Southland Conference basketball takes over the Lakefront Arena this Monday night as the Southeastern Louisiana Lions visit the New Orleans Privateers. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET on ESPN+. This matchup features two teams at opposite ends of the momentum spectrum: the Privateers are looking to bolster their 15-16 record and protect their home court, while the 8-22 Lions are desperate to snap a road skid that has seen them win only twice in 17 tries away from home.
The betting markets have established New Orleans as a 7.5-point favorite. Despite a narrow three-point loss to McNeese State in their last outing, the Privateers have been playing improved basketball lately, covering the spread in each of their last three games. Southeastern Louisiana enters following an eight-point loss to Nicholls, but they have shown the ability to hang around in games thanks to efficient interior scoring from Isaiah Gaines and Jeremy Elyzee.
Southeastern Louisiana vs New Orleans Odds
With a spread of 7.5 and a total set at 143.5, bettors should keep a close eye on the latest college basketball odds as tipoff approaches. Southland lines can be volatile, and any late movement toward the under could reflect the Lions’ slow-paced offensive style.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| SE Louisiana | +259 | +7.5 (-114) | O 143.5 (-113) |
| New Orleans | -351 | -7.5 (-108) | U 143.5 (-109) |
Southeastern Louisiana Betting Form
The Lions’ season record of 8-22 is a bit of an eye-sore, but a closer look at their individual contributors reveals some efficiency. Isaiah Gaines has been a bright spot, averaging 10.4 points while shooting a blistering 55.3% from the field. Alongside Jeremy Elyzee, the Lions possess a frontcourt that can finish at the rim if the guards can navigate the Privateers’ pressure.
However, the “Lion” in the room is their road performance. Winning just 2 of 17 away games makes them a risky straight-up play. From a betting perspective, they have covered in 9 of 22 games as underdogs. Their path to a cover tonight relies on slowing the game down and utilizing their 62.9 possessions per game to limit the Privateers’ scoring opportunities. Check the Southeastern Louisiana injury report before locking in your bets, as any missing depth could be fatal for a team already struggling on the road. For more trends, visit the Southeastern Louisiana stats and results page.
New Orleans Betting Form
The Privateers are a much more formidable opponent at Lakefront Arena, where they hold a 6-5 record. They average 76.2 points per game, which is significantly higher than the Lions’ offensive output. Kedrick Osby and Churchill Abass lead a balanced attack that excels at getting to the free-throw line. In fact, New Orleans ranks 15th nationally in free throws made per game—a statistic that often decides close conference matchups.
The Privateers have been a bettor’s friend recently, going 2-1 straight up and 3-0 against the spread in their last three outings. Their ability to exceed market expectations lately suggests they are peaking at the right time for the conference tournament. Always verify the New Orleans injury report to ensure their primary free-throw drawers are available. For a deeper dive into their home-court dominance, check the New Orleans schedule and stats page.
SE Louisiana vs New Orleans Matchup Breakdown
This game is a classic battle of pace versus efficiency. New Orleans wants to get to the line and use their 76-point scoring average to pull away early. Southeastern Louisiana, however, plays at one of the slower paces in the country (62.9 possessions). If the Lions can successfully turn this into a half-court grind, they can negate the Privateers’ athleticism.
The key will be whether the Lions’ defense, which allows 76.2 points per game, can stand up to the Privateers’ aggressive rim-running. If New Orleans gets into the bonus early in both halves, the Lions will struggle to keep the game within the 7.5-point margin. For tips on handicapping these types of pace-disparity games, our college basketball betting guide is an essential resource.
- Free Throw Edge: New Orleans ranks 15th in the nation in FT made.
- Pace Factor: SE Louisiana averages only 62.9 possessions per game.
- Home Cooking: The Privateers score 12 points more per game on average than the Lions.
- ATS Trend: New Orleans has covered 3 straight games.
SE Louisiana vs New Orleans Predictions and Best Bets
I am leaning toward Southeastern Louisiana +7.5 in this spot. While the Privateers are the better team and will likely win at home, 7.5 points is a generous cushion in a game featuring a team as slow-paced as the Lions. If the Lions can execute in the half-court and shoot near their season averages, they should be able to keep the final score within two possessions. The projected score of 74-68 fits perfectly for a Lions cover.
For the total, I am taking the Under 143.5. Southeastern Louisiana’s lack of offensive explosiveness (64.5 PPG) combined with their slow tempo suggests a lower-scoring affair. Unless the Privateers have an outlier shooting night or the game turns into a free-throw parade, the under offers the best value.
For more nuanced strategies on Southland Conference betting, see our sports betting strategy guide.
Best Bet: SE Louisiana +7.5 (-114).
NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
Southland Conference games often provide some of the best value on the board if you know where to look. At ScoresAndStats, our experts break down the data to provide today’s college basketball picks for every matchup.
Don’t forget to check the handicapper leaderboard to see who is currently the hottest in college hoops. You can follow our top sports handicappers or even buy expert picks to get the highest-confidence plays for the March Madness push.



