Northwestern State Demons vs Incarnate Word Cardinals Prediction, 1/17/2026 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Northwestern State Demons vs Incarnate Word Cardinals

Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026

Location: McDermott Center in San Antonio, TX

TV: ESPN+

The Northwestern State Demons (6-11) are on their way to McDermott Center on Saturday where they will play the Incarnate Word Cardinals (8-9).

The Northwestern State Demons played UT Rio Grande and took home the win by a score of 64-63 in their last contest. Northwestern State wrapped up the game having earned a 40.8% field goal percentage (20 of 49) and converted 6 of 20 3-point shots. At the charity stripe, the Demons converted 18 of their 23 shots for a rate of 78.3%. Concerning getting rebounds, they earned 27 with 6 of them being of the offensive sort. They also recorded 12 dimes in this game while forcing the opposition into 13 turnovers and earning 7 steals. When it comes to the defense, Northwestern State allowed the other team to go 45.3% from the floor on 24 of 53 shooting. UT Rio Grande distributed 16 dimes and had 8 steals in the game. Additionally, UT Rio Grande snagged 28 rebounds (4 offensive, 24 defensive), but couldn't earn a rejection. UT Rio Grande ended up going 100.0% from the charity stripe by making 7 of 7 shots. They also converted 8 of 25 shots from long range. In relation to personal fouls, the Demons finished with 10 and UT Rio Grande totaled 20 personal fouls.

Micah Thomas is one guy who played a role in the game. He ended up finishing with 17 points on 3 out of 13 shooting. He was on the hardwood for 33 minutes and also grabbed 1 board. He finished shooting 23.1% from the field and recorded 5 assists.

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Northwestern State heads into this contest with a record of 6-11 for the campaign. They lose possession by turning the ball over 12.4 times per game and as a team they commit 17.9 fouls every game. As a unit, Northwestern State is snagging 30.6 rebounds per game and is sitting with 209 dimes for the year, which ranks 319th in the country in terms of passing the rock. The Demons are shooting 34.7% on shots from beyond the arc (114 of 329) and 74.0% from the free throw line. They are averaging 72.4 pts per contest (284th in D-1) while connecting on 44.9% from the field.

On the defensive end, the Demons are forcing their opponents into 11.8 turnovers per contest and they draw 20.2 personal fouls. They rank 264th in college in allowing assists to the opposition with 253 surrendered this year. The Demons defensively are allowing an opponent shooting percentage of 48.3% (462 of 957) and they surrender 34.4 boards per contest as a unit. They concede 35.1% from beyond the arc while they are 278th in the nation in opponents points per game (77.1).

When they last stepped on the court, the Incarnate Word Cardinals took a loss by a final score of 56-46 when they faced Stephen F. Austin. When it comes to cleaning the glass, Incarnate Word allowed Stephen F. Austin to grab 41 in all (12 on the offensive side). They went 10.0% from downtown by shooting 2 out of 20 and ended up going 12 out of 22 from the free throw line (54.5%). The Cardinals permitted Stephen F. Austin to convert 21 of 61 tries from the floor which left them with a shooting percentage of 34.4% for this game. Overall, the Cardinals finished shooting 18 for 55 from the field which had them shooting 32.7%. Regarding 3-pointers, Incarnate Word converted 0 of 13 tries (0.0%). They were able to convert 10 of them for a rate of 66.7%. Stephen F. Austin committed 18 fouls for this game which got the Cardinals to the free throw line for 15 tries. They coughed up the ball 12 times, while earning 3 steals for the game. The Cardinals were able to pull down 25 defensive rebounds and 7 offensive boards totaling 32 for the game.

Davion Bailey ended up being a major contributor for the Cardinals in this matchup. He made 4 out of 11 for this game for a field goal rate of 36.4%, and added 1 rebound. He had 10 points in his 36 minutes on the court and accounted for 2 assists for the game.

Incarnate Word has a record of 8-9 for the season. The Cardinals are responsible for committing 17.6 fouls per contest while shooting 68.9% from the free throw line. They are earning an assist 12.5 times per game (296th in college) and they lose possession via turnover 10.3 times per contest. Incarnate Word has accounted for 1,314 pts on the season (77.3 per contest) and they pull in 36.2 boards per contest. As an offensive unit, the Cardinals are shooting 45.0% from the floor, which is ranked 208th in college.

The Incarnate Word defense allows 31.2% on shots from distance (105 of 337) and their opponents are converting on 73.3% of their free throw attempts. They have conceded 12.6 assists and 33.7 total rebounds per game, which is ranked 118th and 132nd in college. The Cardinals are ranked 113th in the country in points per game surrendered with 71.1. They are forcing their opponents into 11.9 TO's per game and allow teams to shoot 44.3% from the floor (223rd in college).

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

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Northwestern State

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