Mcneese Basketball vs UTRGV: Mcneese Basketball Home Finale Preview

Mcneese Basketball meets Texas-Rio Grande Valley in the Cowboys' final home regular-season game, a matchup with direct Southland Tournament implications and a 6: 30 p. m. ET tipoff on Senior Night. The game pits a team chasing home-streak history against a red-hot Vaqueros squad that has surged into the upper bracket of the conference.

McNeese Basketball, mcneese basketball at Townsley

The Cowboys enter the matchup with a 23-5 overall record and a 16-3 mark in conference play. They have built an extended run at home, having won 26 consecutive home games and will look to push that streak to 27 on Monday. McNeese has also secured second place in the Southland standings but remains two games behind the leader with three regular-season games left.

Tipoff and Senior Night

Tipoff is scheduled for 6: 30 p. m. ET on Senior Night inside Townsley Law Arena. The home finale carries extra weight for roster farewells and seeding positioning as the Cowboys seek to lock down favorable placement ahead of the conference tournament.

Records and recent form

The Vaqueros arrive at 16-12 overall and 12-7 in Southland play, riding a run of 10 wins in their last 11 games. Their late-season surge has lifted them into contention for a top-four seed, while McNeese sits at 23-5, 16-3. The two programs split their most recent January meeting, a 79-76 victory for UTRGV on the road.

Player spotlights to watch

McNeese's attack has been paced by Larry Johnson, who carries season averages highlighted by 16. 8 points and 5. 1 rebounds per game and who produced a 23-point, 10-rebound performance in the Cowboys' most recent game. Perimeter scoring has come from players who have combined for significant three-point production across the roster.

For the Vaqueros, guard play has been central to their late run. One guard is averaging 13. 5 points and 4. 8 rebounds, while another has connected on more than 60 three-pointers at an above-40% clip this season.

Seeding implications and outlook

RGV is aiming for a third- or fourth-seed finish to avoid the conference opening round; teams seeded third and fourth receive a single bye, while the top two seeds earn a double bye into the semifinals. McNeese has motivation to preserve home advantage and strengthen its regular-season title chase. Javohn Garcia is listed day-to-day with a leg injury and is not likely to play in the home finale, a development that has pushed other players into expanded roles.

• Key takeaways: McNeese (23-5, 16-3) seeks to extend a 26-game home win streak; UTRGV (16-12, 12-7) has won 10 of 11.
• Tipoff at Townsley Law Arena is 6: 30 p. m. ET on Senior Night.
• Seeding matters: top two seeds earn double byes; 3-4 receive a single bye.

With home-court momentum and a regular-season crown still in play, the Cowboys face a Vaqueros team playing its best basketball of the year. If McNeese can win at home, it will both extend the streak and preserve its path toward the top of the conference; if the Vaqueros win, they will reinforce their late surge and improve their chances of avoiding the opening round of the Southland Tournament. The matchup's outcome is likely to influence final seeding scenarios heading into postseason play.