Houston Christian Huskies vs New Orleans Privateers Picks and Predictions for Sunday March 8 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 03/08/2026, 12:55 AM ET

The Houston Christian Huskies take on the New Orleans Privateers in the Southland Tournament First Round on Sunday evening at Townsley Law Arena in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM and the game will be streamed on ESPN+. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. For more daily betting analysis and game breakdowns, be sure to check out our free college basketball picks.

Huskies Looking to Carry Momentum into Tournament

Houston Christian enters the Southland Tournament with a 12-19 overall record and an 8-14 mark in conference play. The Huskies have experienced an inconsistent season but have shown they are capable of strong performances at times. In their last five games, Houston Christian has recently won over Lamar 75-53, recently lost to Stephen F. Austin 77-56, recently won over East Texas A&M 69-68, recently lost to Northwestern State 71-53, and recently won over Nicholls 72-68.

Offensively, the Huskies average 67.3 points per game while shooting 44 percent from the field. They also average 14.0 assists per contest, demonstrating their ability to move the ball effectively when their offense is operating smoothly. Houston Christian averages 32.1 rebounds per game and contributes defensively with 4.0 blocks and 6.6 steals per contest.

One area where Houston Christian can make an impact is on the defensive end of the floor. Their ability to block shots and generate steals allows them to disrupt opposing offenses and create transition opportunities. If the Huskies can maintain defensive intensity and limit scoring runs, they could keep this game competitive throughout.

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Privateers Leaning on Offensive Production

New Orleans enters the Southland Tournament with a 14-17 overall record and a 12-10 conference mark. The Privateers have shown offensive capability this season but have struggled defensively in several games. Over their last five contests, New Orleans has recently lost to Southeastern Louisiana 82-78, recently lost to McNeese 66-63, recently won over Stephen F. Austin 77-73, recently won over Lamar 77-71, and recently won over UIW 78-64.

The Privateers average 75.0 points per game, making them one of the stronger scoring teams in the Southland Conference. They shoot 45 percent from the field and average 13.0 assists per contest. New Orleans also averages 37.5 rebounds per game while contributing defensively with 3.8 blocks and 5.7 steals per contest.

However, one of the biggest challenges for New Orleans has been their defense. The Privateers allow 78.4 points per game, which is among the higher marks in the conference. If they are unable to slow down Houston Christian offensively, they could find themselves in another high-scoring contest.

Houston Christian Huskies vs New Orleans Privateers Pick

New Orleans Privateers - Spread

New Orleans enters this Southland Tournament matchup with the stronger offensive production and rebounding advantage. Averaging 75 points per game while also pulling down 37.5 rebounds per contest gives the Privateers a solid foundation to control the pace of the game.

Houston Christian has shown the ability to compete defensively, but their offensive production has been inconsistent throughout the season. If New Orleans can push the tempo and take advantage of their scoring ability, they should be able to create enough separation to cover the spread in this first-round matchup.

Houston Christian Huskies vs New Orleans Privateers Total Pick

Over #

I like the over in this matchup because New Orleans games tend to feature plenty of scoring. The Privateers average 75 points per game but also allow over 78 points per contest, which often leads to higher totals.

Houston Christian has also been involved in several games where the pace increased, especially when they generate turnovers and transition opportunities. With both teams capable of scoring and neither defense consistently shutting opponents down, the over looks appealing in this matchup.

Final Score Prediction: New Orleans Privateers 79, Houston Christian Huskies 70

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