Incarnate Word vs Lamar Prediction College Basketball Picks 1/6/25

In this article, we will formulate an Incarnate Word vs Lamar prediction for this College Basketball game on Monday, January 6th at the Montagne Center in Beaumont, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.

Incarnate Word Cardinals Betting Preview

The Incarnate Word Cardinals are 9-5 (2-1) this year after they defeated SFA by a score of 55-49 in their last game. Incarnate Word led 26-18 at halftime and they were able to get the win, despite scoring just 29 points in the second half. The Cardinals shot 35.7% from the field, 20% on three-pointers, and 66.7% on free throws in the game. Davion Bailey led Incarnate Word with 19 points and five rebounds, while Jalin Anderson added 14 points and three assists in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Cardinals defeated two non-D-1 teams by scores of 99-48 and 101-57. Incarnate Word has won four games in a row, but four of their nine wins this year were against non-D-1 teams. Incarnate Word has scored 78.8 points per game and they have allowed 66.8 points per game, while also averaging 36.2 rebounds and 13.3 assists per game this season. Davion Bailey is averaging 18.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game, while Dylan Hayman is averaging 14.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game this season. Incarnate Word is shooting 49.4% from the field, 67.1% on free throws, and 40.8% on three-pointers this year. 

Lamar Cardinals Betting Preview

The Lamar Cardinals are 8-6 (3-0) this season after they defeated Houston Christian by a score of 63-61 in their last game. Lamar trailed 36-29 at halftime, but they held Houston Christian to just 25 points in the second half in the win. The Cardinals shot 41.8% from the field, 31.3% on three-pointers, and 50% on free throws in the game. Alexis Marmolejos led Lamar with 21 points and four assists, while Andrew Holifield added 11 points and four rebounds in the win. 

Prior to that game, the Cardinals defeated a non-D-1 team by a score of 82-65 but did lose to Texas Tech by a score of 101-57 before that. Lamar has won seven of their last eight games and they have allowed 65 points or fewer in all seven of those wins. Lamar has scored 74.6 points per game and they have allowed 67.8 points per game, while also averaging 39 rebounds and 16.9 assists per game this season. Alexis Marmolejos is averaging 16.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, while Ja’Sean Jackson is averaging 11.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game this year. Lamar is shooting 44.8% from the field, 66.4% on free throws, and 34.2% on three-pointers this season. Lamar will meet Stephen F. Austin and New Orleans after this game.

Why Lamar will beat Incarnate Word 

• Incarnate Word has lost each of its last eight road night games against Conference opponents.
• Lamar has won seven of its last eight games against the Southland Conference.
• Lamar has won the first half in five of its last six night games at Neches Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Lamar’s last five games against the Southland Conference Conference have produced a total of 136 or fewer points.
• Eleven of Incarnate Word’s last 13 games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 142+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Lamar ranks T49th among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (16.9).
• Incarnate Word ranks 22nd among Division 1 teams for effective field goal percentage this season (57.3%).
• Incarnate Word ranks 27th among Division 1 teams for field goal percentage this season (49.4%).

Incarnate Word vs Lamar Prediction 

Both of these teams come into this matchup with some momentum after starting conference play with a few wins, but Lamar will have the home-court advantage. Lamar is 3-0 in conference play, but they are shooting just 44.8% from the field this year. Incarnate Word is 2-1 to start conference play and they have a much higher shooting percentage, which is at 49.4%. These two teams are pretty evenly matched in my opinion and both have beaten up some non-D-1 teams this year. I do think we are going to see plenty of points in this matchup, but I am going to side with Lamar, as I think the home-court advantage will be the difference.