New Orleans vs Incarnate Word Prediction 2/16/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The New Orleans Privateers and the Incarnate Word Cardinals meet Monday in college basketball action from McDermott Center in San Antonio. Here’s a New Orleans vs Incarnate Word prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best New Orleans vs Incarnate Word pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.

New Orleans Privateers Betting Preview

New Orleans could only win four of their first 14 games out of the gate this year. Next came a 3-3 stretch with losses to Nicholls, Stephen F. Austin and McNeese State over a half-dozen outings. The next five were a 4-1 run with wins over Nicholls, Northwestern State, East Texas A&M and Texas A&M-CC, giving the Privateers an 11-14 run in their first 25 outings this year.

On Saturday versus Houston Christian the Privateers were down by three points heading into the second half 29-26. New Orleans made a game of it from there on a 34-32 run but still took a tough loss in the end 61-60. Tops in scoring during the road defeat was Churchill Abass with 18 points and nine rebounds. MJ Thomas added 12 points with eight rebounds in 30 minutes.

Incarnate Word Cardinals Betting Preview

Over on the Cards’ side, they didn’t fare terribly on an 8-6 start to the year. Incarnate Word lost to UTRGV, Lamar, Stephen F. Austin, East Texas A&M, Texas A&M-CC, Houston Christian and UTRGV again in the next eight, though. After a win over Texas A&M-CC and losses to McNeese and SE Louisiana, the Cardinals were sitting on a 10-15 record in 25 games.

Matched up against Nicholls this past weekend the Cardinals were looking at a significant deficit at the break, trailing 46-30. Incarnate Word hit a 53-45 advantage the rest of the way and ended up falling 91-83 in a home matchup by game’s end. Jordan Pyke led the team on 24 points with seven boards and two assists while both Harold Woods and Davion Bailey had 16 points apiece in the defeat.

New Orleans Privateers @ Incarnate Word Cardinals Betting Trends: February 16, 2026

Why the Incarnate Word Cardinals will win

• Incarnate Word has won each of its last three night games at Alice P. McDermott Convocation Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the New Orleans Privateers will win

• New Orleans has won each of its last seven night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Incarnate Word has lost seven of its last eight games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Incarnate Word has lost the first half in each of its last five home games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

New Orleans vs Incarnate Word Prediction

I’ll take a stab on New Orleans but it’s a coin flip. The Privateers shot a pretty solid 44.6 percent from the field in their loss to Houston Christian over the weekend, but followed that up with just 12.5 percent (1-of-8) from outside and 56.3 percent (9-of-16) at the line. The good news is that New Orleans had edges on the boards 33-26 and in the paint 44-30. That makes two losses in the last three games for the Privateers, but they’ve won four of their last six.

As for Incarnate Word, they shot 45.6 percent from the field with a perfect 10-of-10 from the line and only six turnovers in their loss to Nicholls. The issues were with shooting percentage allowed (60.7 percent) on defense and a 52-38 deficit in the paint. The Cards have lost seven of their last eight games and they’ve given up 74 or more points in three straight.

Andrew Jett's Pick: New Orleans Privateers +1.5