McNeese State vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Prediction - Basketball Picks 3/7/23
The McNeese State Cowboys and the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Explorers will meet in Lake Charles to face off in the semifinals of the Southland Tournament at the Legacy Center on ESPNU. Corpus Christi leads the head-to-head series, 18-5, after winning fifteen straight meetings.
McNeese State moved to 10-22 after defeating Nicholls State in the first round. The Cowboys led the Colonels at the break, and held on to beat them by three, 77-71. McNeese scores 69.1 points per game, while allowing 75.4 ppg, and shooting 43.1% from the field.
McNeese State has capitalized on hosting the conference tournament by advancing to the semifinals, despite a sluggish regular season. Sophomore guard Christian Shumate has shown up down the stretch, posting five straight double-doubles, and combining for 50 points in the first two tournament wins. Shumate leads the Cowboys in scoring (14.) and rebounding (9.4). Senior guard Zach Scott has matched his energy over the past few weeks, and after scoring 18 points or more in each of the past five games, he’s up to 12.3 ppg.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi finished at 21-10 following a road win over Texas A&M-Commerce. The Explorers traded leads with the Lions for 40 minutes, and managed to sneak away in overtime with the five-point win, 93-88. TAMCC scores 80.6 points per game, while allowing 72.9 ppg and shooting 45.4% from the floor.
Corpus Christi captured the Southland regular season title after winning ten of their last eleven games, and they’ll look to beat McNeese State for the third time this season. Senior guard Trevian Tennyson scored 20 points or more in three of the last four games, and he leads the team in scoring (15.8). Senior forward Isaac Mushila has complimented him well from the inside, and after grabbing a season-high 17 rebounds in win over Commerce, he leads the Explorers in rebounding (9.8), while scoring 14.9 ppg. Veteran point guard led the team with 27 points against TAMC, and he’s one of the best passers in the conference at 5.6 apg, while scoring 13.7 ppg.
McNeese is 13-17 against the spread this season, with a 16-14 over/under record. Corpus Christi is 15-12 ATS this year, with a 17-10 o/u record.
McNeese State has something good going here as the hosting team, but I believe Corpus Christi will avoid the upset. The Explorers have been sharp since late January, and they’ve got experience to fend off a pro-Cowboy crowd. Corpus Christi won both meetings by double figures, and while this go round could end up being a bit closer, they should still advance to the championship with a victory this Tuesday.
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
