| MATCHUP | UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros | Nicholls State Colonels |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 13-11 | 10-14 |
| Where | David R. Stopher Gymnasium, Thibodaux, LA | |
| When | Monday, February 9, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:30 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
Nicholls Colonels Preview
The Nicholls Colonels have a 10-14 overall record this season and a 9-6 record in the Southland. They are coming off an 83-76 home loss against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and their previous four games were a 61-58 road win against Northwestern State, a 72-68 road win against East Texas A&M, an 80-62 home loss against New Orleans and a 67-61 road loss against Southeastern Louisiana.
Offensively, Nicholls averages 73.5 points per game, while allowing 76 points per game defensively. The Colonels shoot with 43% from the field and grab 30.7 rebounds per game, while dishing out 13.2 assists per game. They average 2.5 blocks per game and 9.7 steals per game defensively.
Jalik Dunkley leads Nicholls in scoring and rebounds, with an average of 14 points per game and 7.1 rebounds per game, while shooting with 58% from the field and 54.9% from the free throw line. Trae English leads the team in assists made with 3.1 per game.
UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros Preview
The UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros have a 13-11 overall record this season and a 9-6 record in the Southland. They are coming off a 95-76 road win against New Orleans and their previous four games were a 74-57 home win against Houston Christian, a 106-93 road win against Incarnate Word, a 64-55 road win against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and a 68-51 road win against Houston Christian.
Offensively, UT Rio Grande Valley averages 75.8 points per game, while allowing 69.6 points per game defensively. The Vaqueros shoot with 47% from the field and grab 35.1 rebounds per game, while dishing out 17 assists per game. They average 3 blocks per game and 6.5 steals per game defensively.
Koree Cotton leads UT Rio Grande Valley in scoring, with an average of 13.2 points per game, while shooting with 46.7% from the field and 77.3% from the free throw line. Marvin McGhee III is the team’s leading rebounder with 4.9 per game. Jaylen Washington leads the team in assists made with 3.8 per game.
Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros @ Nicholls State Colonels Betting Trends: February 9, 2026
Why the Nicholls State Colonels will win
- Nicholls State has won seven of its last eight games at David R. Stopher Gym following a home loss.
- Texas–Rio Grande Valley has lost seven of its last nine road night games against Conference opponents.
- Nicholls State has won the first half in 18 of its last 23 night games against Conference opponents.
Why the Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros will win
- Texas–Rio Grande Valley has won each of its last seven games.
- Nicholls State has lost each of its last four home games.
- Texas–Rio Grande Valley has won the first half in each of its last seven games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Texas–Rio Grande Valley’s last four night games have produced a total of 133 or fewer points.
- Six of Nicholls State’s last seven night games against Conference opponents at David R. Stopher Gym have produced a total of 143 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Nicholls State ranks 361st among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw percentage this season (77.2%).
- Nicholls State ranks 10th among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (9.7).
- Texas–Rio Grande Valley ranks T40th among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (17.0).
UT Rio Grande Valley vs Nicholls Prediction
In this UT Rio Grande Valley vs Nicholls Prediction, UT Rio Grande Valley is coming as -2 road favorites. UT Rio Grande Valley has been the slightly better team this season and have more road wins than Nicholls has at home. They have been red-hot lately with seven consecutive wins and a perfect 5-0 against the spread, while Nicholls is 2-6 both straight up and against the spread in its last 8 games, so the value here lies with the road team, who has also been much better defensively. Take UT Rio Grande Valley and lay the points on the road in this one.