| MATCHUP | Nicholls State Colonels | McNeese State Cowboys |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 8-8 | 13-3 |
| Where | Townsley Law Arena, Lake Charles, LA | |
| When | Monday, January 12, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:30 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
McNeese Cowboys Preview
McNeese Cowboys have a 13-3 record this season and are tied for 2nd place in Southland. They have an 8-0 home record and are coming off a 73-61 home win against SE Louisiana. Their previous three games were a 66-64 home win against Stephen F. Austin, an 82-70 home win against Lamar and a 112-71 away loss against Michigan.
Offensively, McNeese averages 84.3 points per game, while allowing 68.4 points per game defensively. The Cowboys shoot with 49% from the field and grab 36.3 rebounds per game, while dishing out 15.2 assists per game. They average 4.4 blocks per game and 10.6 steals per game defensively.
Larry Johnson leads McNeese in scoring, with an average of 16 points per game, while shooting with 51.9% from the field and 82.2% from the free throw line, adding a team-high 5.0 rebounds. Garwey Dual adds a team-high 4.4 assists per game.
Nicholls Colonels Preview
Nicholls Colonels have an 8-8 record this season and are tied for 1st place in Southland. They have a 3-8 road record and are coming off a 90-77 away win against New Orleans. Their previous three games were a 74-72 home win against Northwestern State, an 80-58 home win against East Texas A&M and a 71-69 away win against UT Rio Grande Valley.
Offensively, Nicholls averages 76.4 points per game, while allowing 75.3 points per game defensively. The Colonels shoot with 45% from the field and grab 31.1 rebounds per game, while dishing out 14.2 assists per game. They average 2.1 blocks per game and 9.9 steals per game defensively.
Jaylen Searles leads Nicholls in scoring, with an average of 14.3 points per game, while shooting with 45.5% from the field and 55.8% from the free throw line. Jalik Dunkley is the team’s leading rebounder with 6.9 per game, while Trae English adds a team-high 3.4 assists per game.
Nicholls State Colonels @ McNeese State Cowboys Betting Trends: January 12, 2026
Why the McNeese State Cowboys will win
- McNeese State has won each of its last 29 home games against Conference opponents.
- Nicholls State has lost three of its last four games at Townsley Law Arena.
- McNeese State has won the first half in 11 of its last 12 games at Townsley Law Arena.
Why the Nicholls State Colonels will win
- Nicholls State has won each of its last seven games against Conference opponents.
- Nicholls State has won the first half in each of its last six night games against Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Nicholls State’s last 10 night games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 147 or fewer points.
- Eight of McNeese State’s last 10 games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 146 or fewer points.
Nicholls vs McNeese Prediction
In this Nicholls vs McNeese Prediction, McNeese is coming as -13.5 home favorites. McNeese has been the far better team this season, with a superior overall record and less than half defeats than Nicholls so far. They have also been undefeated at home but have not covered the spread in any of their last five games played. On the flip side, Nicholls has been scorching-hot lately, with an 8-1 record in its last 9 games and 4-1 against the spread, so I expect them to keep rolling and keep this one close. Take Nicholls and get the +13.5 points.