New Orleans vs Texas A&M Commerce Prediction 2/2/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The New Orleans Privateers and the Texas A&M–Commerce Lions will meet on Monday night in a Southland Conference matchup at The Field House in Commerce, Texas.

East Texas A&M Commerce Lions Betting Preview

The East Texas A&M Commerce Lions enter Monday evening’s contest with an 8–14 win-loss record, including a 3-9 mark in conference play and a 4-4 record at home. The Lions have compiled wins over Army, Southeast Louisiana and the Farleigh Dickinson Knights, while losing games to Rice, Connecticut, Hawaii, Stephen F. Austin and the Texas A&M Aggies. Earlier this season, in the East Texas A&M Commerce Lions 84-67 victory over the Army Black Knights, East Texas A&M Commerce guard Damian Garcia accumulated 20 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block illustrating his ability to perform at a high level.

The East Texas A&M Commerce Lions average 67 points on 41.2 percent shooting from the field and 31.3 percent from three-point range per game. Through 22 games played in 2025, the Lions are allowing opponents 77.5 points per contest.

Junior forward Ronnie Harrison leads the East Texas A&M Commerce Lions frontcourt averaging 15.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Senior guard Damian Garcia provides the Lions with quality backcourt play averaging 10.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal a game.

New Orleans Privateers Betting Preview

The New Orleans Privateers enter Monday’s matchup with a 9–13 overall record, including a 7–6 mark in conference play and a 5-10 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 convincing 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 74.5 points on 44.3 percent shooting from the field and 33.6 percent shooting from behind the arc per game. On the defensive side of the basketball, the Privateers are allowing opponents 79.7 points per game which ranks an abysmal 300th in the nation.

Senior guard Jakevion Buckley leads the New Orleans Privateers with 14.1 points, 5 rebounds 5.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Senior guard Coleton Benson contributes 15.4 points, 3.2 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 8.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.

Why the East Texas A&M Commerce Lions Will Win

•            Balance scoring. Harrison and Garcia have the potential to perform at a high level from an offensive perspective.

•            Home court edge. The East Texas A&M Commerce Lions are 4-4 at home this season.

 •           Quality frontcourt play. Junior forward Ronnie Harrison leads the Lions frontcourt averaging 15.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

Why the New Orleans Privateers Will Win

•            Guard play. Senior guard Jakevion Buckley leads the New Orleans Privateers with 14.1 points, 5 rebounds 5.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game.

•            Offensive advantage. The New Orleans Privateers are averaging 74.5 points per game. Conversely, the Lions average just 67 points per contest.

East Texas A&M Commerce vs. New Orleans

This matchup features a New Orleans Privateers that has quality interior scoring and offensive efficiency against an East Texas A&M Commerce team that has been far more competitive at home in 2025. With the home court advantage, steadier backcourt production and a matchup that favors the Lions superior backcourt, I am backing the Texas A&M Commerce Lions plus the 1.5 points in this game.

Hans Geevers's Pick: East Texas A&M Commerce +1.5