New Orleans Privateers vs Nicholls State Colonels Prediction, 1/26/2026 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New Orleans Privateers vs Nicholls Colonels

Date: Monday, January 26, 2026

Location: David R. Stopher Gymnasium in Thibodaux, LA

TV: ESPN+

The Nicholls Colonels (8-12) will try to defeat the New Orleans Privateers (7-13) at David R. Stopher Gymnasium on Monday.

The New Orleans Privateers faced off with McNeese State and ended up losing by a score of 82-63 in their last game. New Orleans ended the contest with a 45.5% field goal percentage (20 out of 44) and buried 5 of their 17 3-pointers. From the charity stripe, the Privateers buried 18 of their 25 shots for a percentage of 72.0%. In reference to getting rebounds, they collected a total of 28 with 7 of them being of the offensive variety. They also doled out 12 assists in the matchup as well as creating 8 turnovers and getting 5 steals. In regard to defending, New Orleans allowed 41.3% from the field on 26 of 63 shooting. McNeese State earned 18 dimes and had 16 steals for this game. Furthermore, McNeese State grabbed 37 rebounds (16 offensive, 21 defensive), but wrapped up the game with no rejections. McNeese State shot 83.3% from the free throw line by burying 25 of 30 shots. They converted 5 out of their 21 tries from long range. In regard to fouls, the Privateers walked away with 16 and McNeese State racked up 17 fouls.

Coleton Benson is someone who was a major contributor in this game. He finished the game shooting 63.6% from the field and also recorded 2 assists. He played for 36 minutes played and also totaled 2 boards. He left the arena with 23 points on 7 out of 11 shooting.

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New Orleans will enter this contest with a win-loss mark of 7-13 on the season. They are turning it over 14.8 times per contest and as a squad are committing 20.2 fouls every game. As a team, New Orleans is pulling down 36.8 boards per contest and has earned 249 dimes on the year, which is 309th in college hoops in terms of passing. The Privateers are connecting on 33.3% from downtown (137 of 411) and 74.7% from the charity stripe. They average 74.2 points per outing (239th in the country) on 44.1% from the field.

When they are on defense, the Privateers are forcing 9.6 turnovers per contest while drawing 19.7 fouls. They relinquish 33.9% on three-point shots while they are 338th in college in opponents PPG (81.4). The Privateers defensively are giving up a FG percentage of 43.3% (543 of 1,255) and they surrender 36.3 boards per contest as a group. They currently rank 338th in Division 1 in allowing assists to the opposition with 334 relinquished on the campaign.

For their last game, the Nicholls Colonels took a loss by a final score of 67-61 when they played SE Louisiana. The Colonels corralled 17 defensive boards and 10 offensive boards for a total of 27 for this contest. They also gave up possession 12 times, while recording 10 steals for this game. SE Louisiana had 23 fouls in this matchup which took the Colonels to the charity stripe for a total of 24 tries. They were able to knock down 18 of the free throw tries for a percentage of 75.0%. When it comes to shots from beyond the perimeter, Nicholls State knocked down 7 of 28 tries (25.0%). Overall, the Colonels finished shooting 18 for 56 from the field which had them shooting 32.1%. The Colonels permitted SE Louisiana to convert 20 out of their 53 tries from the field which had them at 37.7% in this game. They wrapped up this game 22.7% from distance by shooting 5 out of 22 and finished the contest at 22 out of 29 at the free throw line (75.9%). When talking about cleaning up the glass, Nicholls State allowed SE Louisiana to grab 39 in total (13 on the offensive side).

Sincere Malone ended up being a factor for the Colonels in this matchup. He tallied 19 points in his 40 mins on the hardwood and added 3 assists in the game. He converted 5 out of 11 for this game for a field goal rate of 45.5%, and earned 4 rebounds.

Nicholls State has a record of 8-12 for the year. As an offensive unit, the Colonels are hitting on 43.4% from the field, which is ranked 285th in the country. Nicholls State has scored 1,493 points for the campaign (74.7 per contest) and they grab 30.9 rebounds per contest. Their rate of assisting teammates is at 13.7 times per contest (218th in college hoops) and they turn it over 12.0 times per contest. The Colonels commit 18.5 personal fouls per contest and they hit 66.7% from the free throw line.

The Nicholls State defense surrenders 36.0% on shots from beyond the perimeter (146 of 405) and their opposition knocks down 76.6% of their free throw attempts. They have relinquished 14.8 dimes and 36.2 rebounds on a nightly basis, which ranks them 279th and 280th in those defensive categories. The Colonels defensively are ranked 265th in D-1 in points allowed per game with 76.7. They are forcing 15.8 turnovers on a nightly basis and have allowed teams to shoot 48.6% from the field (353rd in college).

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take New Orleans

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