The UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros (4-3) take on the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders (4-2) at UTRGV Fieldhouse. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, November 26, 2018.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders at UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros Free Prediction
The Islanders will be looking for similar success after edging the St. Mary’s (TX) Rattlers in their last contest, 61-58. The Islanders had a much better free throw rate (0.196 vs. 0.053) and had a much better turnover percentage (9.8 vs. 15.8). Texas A&M-Corpus Christi received a boost from Kareem South, who was the game’s leading scorer with 15 points on 5-for-9 shooting.
In the Vaqueros’ last game, they edged the Lamar Cardinals, 77-75. The Vaqueros made 18 of their 24 free throws (75.0 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.518 (above their season average of 0.408). Lesley Varner II was the game’s high scorer with 21 points on 8-for-15 shooting from the field.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Varner II put up 21 points and 7 rebounds and the Vaqueros topped the Islanders 76-69. The Vaqueros’ 8.8 turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over the Islanders, who had a mark of 16.0.
The aggressive UT Rio Grande Valley offense could be living from the free throw line in this showdown. The Vaqueros rank 16th in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.300, while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi ranks 319th in FTA rate allowed (0.287) dating back to the 2017-18 season. It could also be a mistake-prone game for the Islanders’ offense, which ranks 343rd in ball protection (turnover percentage of 21.8 percent). They’ll be going up against the top-notch defense of the Vaqueros, which has forced the 54th-most turnovers in the nation (21.2 percent).
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders at UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros Odds Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – UT Rio Grande Valley, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
UT Rio Grande Valley ranks 21st in steals per game (7.8) while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi ranks 262nd in steals allowed per game (7.1).
The Islanders rank 95th in rebounds allowed per game (33.7) while the Vaqueros rank 324th (41.0).
UT Rio Grande Valley ranks 87th in assists per game (14.7) while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi ranks 286th (11.4).
The Vaqueros rank 42nd in three pointers allowed per game (19.5) while the Islanders rank 210th (22.7).
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi blocks 3.1 opponent shots per game, which ranks 171st in the NCAA. UT Rio Grande Valley ranks 221st in blocks allowed per game (3.9).
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