UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros vs McNeese Cowboys Picks and Predictions for Tuesday March 10 2026
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The UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros and McNeese Cowboys meet in the Southland Tournament Semifinal on Tuesday night at Townsley Law Arena in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 PM ET with the game broadcast on ESPN+. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. This semifinal matchup features a hot UT Rio Grande Valley team coming off an impressive quarterfinal victory facing the top-seeded McNeese Cowboys, who earned a tournament bye after dominating the conference during the regular season. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more daily college basketball analysis and predictions.
UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros Bring Offensive Firepower
UT Rio Grande Valley enters the semifinal with a 19-13 overall record and a 14-8 record in the Southland Conference. The Vaqueros advanced in the tournament after recently winning over Nicholls 86-68 in the quarterfinal round. Over their last five games they have recently won over Nicholls, recently won over Northwestern State, recently won over East Texas A&M, recently lost to McNeese, and recently won over Southeastern Louisiana, showing strong momentum heading into this matchup.
On the season, UT Rio Grande Valley averages 75.5 points per game while allowing 69.0 points per contest. The Vaqueros shoot an efficient 47% from the field, pull down 34.8 rebounds per game, and average 16.5 assists per contest, which reflects their balanced offensive approach. Defensively they average 6.0 steals and 2.8 blocks per game, creating opportunities for transition scoring while maintaining solid defensive pressure.
In the quarterfinal win against Nicholls, Filip Brankovic led the Vaqueros with 21 points, shooting an impressive 9-of-12 from the field while controlling the interior. Kwo Agwa led the team on the glass with 6 rebounds, helping UTRGV maintain balance despite the rebounding battle finishing even. A key tournament factor for the Vaqueros is their elite shooting performance in the last game, hitting 58% from the field and 50% from three-point range, which gives them confidence heading into a matchup against the top seed. 
McNeese Cowboys Await After Dominant Regular Season
McNeese enters the semifinal with an outstanding 26-5 overall record and a 19-3 Southland Conference mark, earning the top seed and a tournament bye after their strong regular-season performance. In their last five games the Cowboys have recently won over Nicholls, recently won over New Orleans, recently won over UT Rio Grande Valley, recently won over Texas A&M–Commerce, and recently won over Northwestern State, demonstrating consistent form heading into tournament play.
The Cowboys have been one of the most balanced teams in the conference this season, averaging 80.0 points per game while allowing just 66.3 points per contest. They shoot 47% from the field, grab 34.7 rebounds per game, and average 14.1 assists per contest. Defensively McNeese has been aggressive, averaging 10.4 steals and 4.3 blocks per game, which allows them to create turnovers and convert them into fast-break opportunities.
In their most recent game, a 75-65 win over Nicholls, Larry Johnson delivered a dominant performance with 25 points and 6 rebounds, leading the offense while also controlling the glass. His ability to draw fouls was critical, converting 11-of-13 free throws in the victory. The Cowboys also forced 18 turnovers in that game, highlighting their defensive intensity and depth. With the benefit of a tournament bye and strong defensive pressure, McNeese enters the semifinal with both rest and momentum.
UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros vs McNeese Cowboys Pick
UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros vs McNeese Cowboys Spread Pick
- Pick: McNeese Cowboys - Spread
McNeese has been the most consistent team in the Southland all season and already owns a recent victory over UT Rio Grande Valley. The Cowboys combine strong defense with efficient scoring, and their ability to force turnovers could disrupt the Vaqueros’ rhythm. With Larry Johnson coming off a dominant performance and the advantage of extra rest thanks to the tournament bye, McNeese is in a strong position to control this semifinal matchup.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Rob Vinciletti | +5,547.00 |
| 2 |  Steve Seagrave | +3,420.00 |
| 3 |  Stephen Nover | +3,085.00 |
| 4 |  Nick Parsons | +1,166.00 |
| 5 |  Tom Macrina | +740.00 |
UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros vs McNeese Cowboys Total Pick
- Pick: Over
I like the over in this game because both teams have the ability to score in bunches. UT Rio Grande Valley just showed its offensive ceiling by shooting nearly 60% in the quarterfinal, while McNeese averages 80 points per game and thrives in transition after forcing turnovers. With the Vaqueros playing with confidence offensively and the Cowboys pushing tempo off defensive pressure, I expect a fast-paced semifinal with plenty of scoring opportunities.
Final Score Prediction: McNeese Cowboys 82, UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros 74
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