Iowa State Cyclones guard Nate Heise (0) drives with the ball around Houston Christian Huskies guard D'Aundre Samuels (5) during the first half in the NCAA men’s basketball on Dec. 29. 2025, at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.
Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Houston Christian vs New Orleans Prediction 3/8/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

Pick details

MATCHUP Houston Christian Huskies New Orleans Privateers
Team Records 12-19 14-17
Spread +4.5 -105 -4.5 -115
Moneyline +170 -205
Total Over 141.5 (-112) Under 141.5 (-108)
Where Townsley Law Arena, Lake Charles, LA
When Sunday, March 8, 2026
Time 06:00 PM EDT
TV ESPN+

The New Orleans Privateers and the Houston Christian Huskies will meet on Sunday evening in a Southland Conference matchup at Sharp Gymnasium in Houston, Texas.

New Orleans Privateers Betting Preview

The New Orleans Privateers enter Sunday’s matchup with a 14-17 overall record, including a 12–10 mark in conference play and a 9-11 record on the road. The Privateers have compiled wins over Tulane, TCU, and UT Rio Grande Valley, while dropping games to LSU, Fresno State, Mississippi State and the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

In the New Orleans Privateers dominant 85-69 win over UT Rio Grande Valley earlier this season, New Orleans guard Jakevion Buckley tallied 32 points (12 of 20 shooting from the field), 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals showcasing his ability to lead the Privateers offense.

The New Orleans Privateers are averaging 75 points on 44.5 percent shooting from the field and 32 percent shooting from behind the arc per game. Defensively, the Privateers are allowing opponents 78.4 points per game which ranks an abysmal 276th in the nation.

Senior guard Jakevion Buckley leads the New Orleans Privateers with 14.2 points, 4.9 rebounds 5.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Senior guard Coleton Benson contributes 15.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per contest, giving the Privateers a second scoring option in the backcourt. Junior center Churchill Abass provides New Orleans with a presence in the paint averaging 8.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.

Houston Christian Huskies Betting Preview

The Houston Christian Huskies enter Sunday’s matchup with a 12–19 overall record, including an 8–14 mark in conference play and a 9–5 record at home. The Huskies have compiled wins over Nicholls, McNeese State and Northwestern State, while dropping games to Texas A&M–Corpus Christi, Lamar, and Southeastern Louisiana.

It is noteworthy that these two teams met earlier this season. Who prevailed? Last month, the Houston Christian defeated the New Orleans Privateers 61-60.

The Houston Christian Huskies are averaging 66.5 points on 44 percent shooting from the field and 31.9 percent shooting from three round per game. Shifting our focus to the defensive side of the basketball, the Huskies are allowing opponents 72.4 points per contest.

Senior guard Elijah Brooks leads the Houston Christian Huskies with 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.1 steals per game. Senior guard Kylin Green contributes 10.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists per contest. Senior forward Demarco Bethea averages 9.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.

Why the New Orleans Privateers Will Win

 • Competitive conference play. The New Orleans Privateers have amassed a 12–10 record in conference play.

• Ability to win on the road. The New Orleans Privateers have amassed a 9-10 record on the road this season.

Why the Houston Christian Huskies Will Win

• Momentum. The Houston Christian Huskies have won two of the team’s last three games played this season, including a 69-68 win over the East Texas A&M-Commerce Lions.

• Confidence. The Houston Christian Huskies defeated the New Orleans Privateers earlier this season.

• Backcourt production. Senior guard Elijah Brooks leads the Houston Christian Huskies with 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.1 steals per game.

New Orleans Privateers vs. Houston Christian Huskies Prediction

In my view, the New Orleans Privateers balanced scoring and current conference form make the more Privateers the more reliable side in this matchup. Houston Christian’s defensive volatility and struggles in double‑digit games make it difficult to back the Huskies playing consistently well for forty minutes of play in this contest. For the reasons just noted, I am backing the New Orleans Privateers to cover the 4.5 points in this game.

Hans Geevers's Pick: New Orleans -4.5

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