SE Louisiana vs UT Rio Grande Valley Prediction 1/19/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Southeastern Louisiana Lions and the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros will meet on Monday night in a non‑conference matchup at the UTRGV Fieldhouse in Edinburg, Texas.

Southeastern Louisiana Lions Betting Preview

The Southeastern Louisiana Lions enter Monday’s game with a 5–13 win-loss overall record, including a 1–9 mark on the road and a 2-7 conference record. The Lions have compiled wins over Houston Christian, Incarnate Word, Navy and Gardner-Webb, while dropping games to Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia Tech and the LSU Tigers. In the Southeastern Louisiana Lions thrilling 74–71 overtime win over the Houston Christian Huskies Nicholls last month, Southeastern Louisiana forward Jeremy Elyzee amassed 17 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block and 1 steal showcasing his ability to lead the Lions frontcourt.

The Southeastern Louisiana Lions are averaging 64.8 points on 44.8 percent shooting from the field and 27.2 percent shooting from behind the arc. Defensively, the Lions are allowing opponents 72.3 points per game.

Sophomore forward Jeremy Elyzee leads the Southeastern Louisiana Lions averaging 11.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Junior forward Isaiah Gaines contributes 10.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists per contest providing the Lions with a presence In the paint.

UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros Betting Preview

The UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros enter Monday’s contest with a 7–11 record, including a 3–6 mark in conference play and a 5-4 record at home. The Vaqueros have amassed wins over Austin Peay, Lamar, and the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, while losing games to Baylor, Boise State, Illinois and Missouri State. More recently, in the Eastern Texas A&M Commerce Lions 77-69 victory over UT Rio Grande Valley earlier this month, UT Rio Grande Valley guard Jaylen Warren tallied 10 points (5 of 10 shooting from the field), 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. 

UT Rio Grande Valley averages 70.3 points on 44.8 percent shooting from the field and 36.5 percent shooting from behind the arc per game. Shifting to the defensive side of the basketball, the Vaqueros are allowing opponents 73.1 points per contest.

Junior guard Koree Cotton leads the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros averaging 12.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. Junior forward Filip Brankovic provides the Vaqueros with an interior presence averaging 12.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.5 blocks per contest.

Why the Southeastern Louisiana Lions will win

•              Backcourt production. Sophomore forward Jeremy Elyzee leads the Southeastern Louisiana Lions averaging 11.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game

•              Interior presence. Junior forward Isaiah Gaines contributes 10.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists per contest providing the Lions with a presence in the paint.

Why the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros will win

•             Offensive advantage. UT Rio Grande Valley averages 70.3 points on 44.8 percent shooting from the field per game. Conversely, the Southeastern Louisiana Lions are averaging 64.8 points on 43.1 percent shooting from the field per contest.

•             Home court edge. The UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros are 5-4 at home this season.

Southeastern Louisiana vs. UT Rio Grande Valley Prediction

This matchup features the Southeastern Louisiana quality offense and balanced scoring against a UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros team that plays at a high pace but struggles to get on the defensive end of the floor. The Vaqueros home edge and pace give them a path to stay competitive, but SE Louisiana’s defensive edge and more efficient half‑court offense make them the more reliable side to be on in this one. With that said, I am backing the Lions to and stay within the number in this game.

Hans Geevers's Pick: Southeastern Louisiana +5.5