Saturday’s contest features the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros (9-4, 1-1 Southland) and the New Orleans Privateers (2-11, 0-2 Southland) matching up at Lakefront Arena (on January 4) at 6:00 PM ET. This matchup, according to our computer prediction, will result in an 81-73 victory for UT Rio Grande Valley.

Based on our computer prediction, UT Rio Grande Valley is projected to cover the point spread (7.5) against New Orleans. The two sides are expected to go under the 155.5 total.

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UT Rio Grande Valley vs. New Orleans Game Info & Odds

• Date: Saturday, January 4, 2025
• Time: 6:00 PM ET
• TV: ESPN+
• Live stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
• Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
• Venue: Lakefront Arena
• Line: UT Rio Grande Valley -7.5
• Point total: 155.5
• Moneyline (to win): UT Rio Grande Valley -300, New Orleans +235

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UT Rio Grande Valley vs. New Orleans Score Prediction

• Prediction:
  UT Rio Grande Valley 81, New Orleans 73

Spread & Total Prediction for UT Rio Grande Valley vs. New Orleans

• Pick ATS: UT Rio Grande Valley (-7.5)
• Pick OU: Under (155.5)

UT Rio Grande Valley’s record against the spread so far this season is 7-2-0, while New Orleans’ is 6-7-0. In terms of going over the point total, games involving the Vaqueros are 5-4-0 and the Privateers are 7-6-0. The teams average 148.4 points per game combined, 7.1 less than this matchup’s over/under. UT Rio Grande Valley is 7-2 against the spread and 5-4 overall in its past 10 games, while New Orleans has gone 4-6 against the spread and 1-9 overall.

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UT Rio Grande Valley Performance Insights

• The Vaqueros have a +151 scoring differential, topping opponents by 11.6 points per game. They’re putting up 82.8 points per game to rank 47th in college basketball and are allowing 71.2 per contest to rank 182nd in college basketball.
• The 35.5 rebounds per game UT Rio Grande Valley averages rank 62nd in the nation, and are 3.2 more than the 32.3 its opponents grab per contest.
• UT Rio Grande Valley knocks down 5.3 more threes per contest than the opposition, 11.8 (fourth-most in college basketball) compared to its opponents’ 6.5.
• The Vaqueros rank 122nd in college basketball with 99.2 points scored per 100 possessions, and 70th in college basketball defensively with 85.3 points conceded per 100 possessions.
• UT Rio Grande Valley has committed 1.5 fewer turnovers per game than its opponents, averaging 12.6 (278th in college basketball action) while forcing 14.1 (52nd in college basketball).

New Orleans Performance Insights

• The Privateers put up 65.6 points per game (341st in college basketball) while allowing 86.1 per contest (361st in college basketball). They have a -266 scoring differential and have been outscored by 20.5 points per game.
• New Orleans falls short in the rebound battle by an average of 6.8 boards. It pulls down 32.1 rebounds per game (236th in college basketball) compared to its opponents’ 38.9.
• New Orleans hits 6.2 three-pointers per game (319th in college basketball), 3.9 fewer than its opponents.
• New Orleans has had more turnovers than its opponents this season, committing 13.1 per game (309th in college basketball) while forcing 10.9 (264th in college basketball).

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