The Texas A&M-Commerce Lions and the McNeese State Cowboys meet Sunday in Southland Tournament college basketball action from the Legacy Center. Texas A&M-Commerce is 13-19 overall this year. The Lions lost to Texas A&M-CC in their last outing. As for McNeese, they’re sitting at 9-22 overall after a win versus New Orleans on Wednesday. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Texas A&M-Commerce Lions
In their first 25 games this year, Texas A&M-Commerce put up a sketchy 11-14 run. The Lions have since gone just 2-5 with losses to Northwestern State, New Orleans, Southeastern Louisiana, Incarnate Word and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Matched up against Texas A&M-CC on Wednesday, the Lions scored 37 points in the first half, 41 in the second and 10 in overtime during a 93-88 loss. Texas A&M-Commerce’s CJ Roberts led the team with 24 points and three rebounds in the defeat.
McNeese State Cowboys
Over on the McNeese State side, they went a rough 5-19 in their first 24 outings of the season. The Cowboys have gotten slightly better since then with a 4-3 run. The wins in that time were over Southeastern LA, New Orleans, Incarnate Word and New Orleans again.
In the rematch versus Incarnate Word on Wednesday, the Cowboys were drilled 42-29 in the first half. McNeese State fought back on a 51-31 second half and won 80-73. Both Dionjahe Thomas (15 points; 12 rebounds) and Christian Shumate (14 points; 11 rebounds) doubled up.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably take a stab on McNeese State here. You could make a case either way, though. These teams have met twice before—both close games and both Lions wins. The first was an 82-80 Texas A&M-Commerce victory back on January 7 at the Legacy Center, then came a 60-58 result at University Field House on February 4. McNeese State is just 1-3 in their last four outings but they’ve been competitive—two of those three losses came by five points or fewer. I like another competitive finish in this one as McNeese powers out the cover/win. It’ll be a fun one to watch.