East Texas A&M vs UT Rio Grande Valley Prediction 2/28/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The East Texas A&M Lions and the Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros meet Saturday in college basketball action from UTRGV Fieldhouse in Edinburg. Here’s an East Texas A&M vs UTRGV prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best East Texas A&M vs UTRGV 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.

East Texas A&M Lions Betting Preview

The Lions managed to go 8-12 over their first 20 games this year. Losses came to Lamar, Nicholls and New Orleans in the next trio, then a pair of wins over Northwestern State. Since then it’s been a 1-4 run with losses to Stephen F. Austin, McNeese, Incarnate Word and Houston Christian. Over the first 30 games of the year that makes for an 11-19 overall run.

In the Houston Christian matchup on Monday the Lions entered the second half with a 36-23 deficit on the scoreboard. East Texas A&M rallied in the second half on a 45-33 run but eventually fell just short in a 69-68 loss on their home court in the end. Gianni Hunt was tops on 25 points with four rebounds, three assists and four steals. Damian Garcia added 15 points with four rebounds.

UTRGV Vaqueros Betting Preview

Over on the Texas-Rio Grande Valley side, they were looking pretty rough at the 17-game mark, sitting on a 6-11 record. Wins over McNeese, SE Louisiana, Houston Christian, Texas A&M-CC, Incarnate Word, Houston Christian, New Orleans and Nicholls came next though, then a 2-2 run with wins over SE Louisiana and Lamar. That makes for a 16-13 record so far this season.

Matched up against McNeese on Monday the Vaqueros were sitting in the locker room at the break with a 34-22 deficit. UT Rio Grande Valley got better in the second half on a 46-41 advantage but it wasn’t enough to make the comeback in a 75-68 loss on the road. Filip Brankovic was tops on 15 points with three rebounds and one assist in the losing effort.

East Texas A&M Lions @ Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros Betting Trends: February 28, 2026

Why the Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros will win

• Texas–Rio Grande Valley has won each of its last eight games at UTRGV Fieldhouse following a road loss.
• East Texas A&M has lost eight of its last nine road games following a home loss.
• East Texas A&M has lost the first half in eight of its last 10 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the East Texas A&M Lions will win

• Texas–Rio Grande Valley has lost three of its last four day games at UTRGV Fieldhouse against non-AP-ranked opponents.

East Texas A&M vs UTRGV Prediction

I’ll stick with the Vaqueros. UTRGV needs a good bounce-back after a loss to McNeese this week, though. The Vaqueros shot a nice 50 percent from the field in that one but also went just 10-of-17 (58.8 percent) at the line and had 16 turnovers for 17 Cowboys points. Texas-Rio Grande Valley is just 2-2 in their last four but they’re also 10-2 in their last 12 outings.

Back on January 10 when these teams last saw each other, the Vaqueros took a 77-69 road loss. In that one UTRGV shot 44.6 percent from the field with a 33-24 rebounding deficit and 12 turnovers. The Vaqueros also gave up 50 percent shooting on defense. Texas-Rio Grande Valley has lots to clean up in the home rematch.

Andrew Jett's Pick: UTRGV Vaqueros TBA