The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders and the Texas Tech Red Raiders meet Thursday in college basketball action from United Supermarkets Arena. Texas A&M-CC enters this one at 2-1 overall. The Islanders beat Dallas Christian College in their most recent outing. As for Texas Tech, they’re 2-0 and looking to keep their run going after a win over San Jose State on Sunday. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

Texas A&M-CC Islanders

The Islanders have a couple of blowout wins sandwiched around one blowout loss so far this year. The opener was a routine matchup versus Southwestern Adventist, resulting in a 111-46 win for Texas A&M-CC. The Islanders didn’t fare so well against Houston in game two however, shooting just 29.7 percent in an 82-50 blowout loss. 

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi was able to get back in the win column on Monday versus Dallas Christian. The Islanders jumped out to a 57-25 lead by the break and cruised from there in a 104-45 win. Tops in scoring was Lance-Amir Paul with 18 points and four rebounds. Shilo Jackson added 12 points with eight boards as well. 

Texas Tech Red Raiders 

Over on the Texas Tech side, they jumped out to a 41-17 edge over Texas A&M-Commerce at halftime in their opener. The Red Raiders scored another 32 points from there and won it 73-46. Texas Tech shot 41.5 percent from the floor in the win, posting a 48-31 rebounding advantage and a solid 82.8 percent (24-of-29) from the line. 

In Sunday’s matchup versus San Jose State, Texas Tech didn’t have it so easy. The Raiders were up 22-21 going into the second half but performed better from there in a 56-42 win. Devan Cambridge topped the team on 15 points and five rebounds. Joe Toussaint managed 10 points with three rebounds as well. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to take a stab on Texas A&M-CC here. The Islanders are coming off a dominant effort against an overmatched Dallas Christian team. Texas A&M-CC shot a nice 54.1 percent from the floor in that one with 40 percent (10-of-25) from 3-point range, 55 rebounds and 28 team assists. The foul shooting wasn’t great (14-of-30) but it was a good confidence builder coming into this one. 

As for Texas Tech, they hit a tepid 39 percent from the field and 18.8 percent (3-of-16) from 3-point land versus San Jose State in their last outing. The Raiders were still strong on the boards though (40 rebounds), which helped the victory along. The Islanders will have to get under the basket and do some pushing in this matchup, but I think they’re capable of a cover bid.