College Of Biblical Studies vs Prairie View A&M prediction: Prairie View A&M opens a rebuild against College of Biblical Studies
Byron Smith's Panthers return little of the roster that won an NCAA tournament game, so the opener is mostly a first look at new faces.
- Prairie View should control this at home against an NCCAA program it beat 95-48 last November.
- Watch the new faces, including 6-3 South Plains guard Micah Bell, who has committed to Prairie View.
- No spread or total is posted yet; last season's pace of 72.5 possessions, 12th nationally, hints at a fast game.
A March run, then a reset
Prairie View A&M's last game is one it would rather forget: a 114-55 loss to Florida in the NCAA tournament. A day earlier, the Panthers beat Lehigh 67-55 in the First Four for the program's first NCAA tournament win, with Dontae Horne scoring 25 and Cory Wells adding 19.
That roster is largely gone. As of Oct. 7, coach Byron Smith said the team needed a large overhaul, with little of the March group left. That makes last season's team numbers a weak guide to Thursday's opener at the William Nicks Building. Tip is listed for 6 p.m. ET, though one listing shows 7 p.m.
What last season's identity says
Last season's numbers hint at speed and pressure, though the roster has changed. Last season Prairie View played at 72.5 possessions per 40 minutes, 12th of 365 teams. It forced turnovers on 20.7% of opponent possessions, 23rd nationally, and drew free throws at a high clip, a free throw rate (attempts per field goal try) that ranked 28th.
Those habits came with a 19-18 record. Opponent-adjusted ratings were unkind: the Panthers finished 308th in adjusted net efficiency (points per 100 possessions, adjusted for opponents).
The visitor and the newcomers
College of Biblical Studies is an NCCAA program that was in its third season of basketball as of last November, coached by Michael Young. The Ambassadors lost 95-48 at Prairie View in last season's meeting. No news has surfaced on their roster.
For Prairie View, the more useful question is who plays. Micah Bell, a 6-3 guard from South Plains junior college, has committed, as has Jared Harris. Expect Smith to use this game to test rotations as much as to win it.
Key players
- Micah Bell (Prairie View A&M): A 6-3 guard who committed from South Plains junior college as part of the rebuild.
- Dontae Horne (Prairie View A&M): Scored 25 in last March's First Four win over Lehigh; whether he is part of this season's roster hasn't been confirmed.
Numbers that matter
| Last season's pace | 72.5 | Possessions per 40 minutes, 12th nationally, a sign of how fast Smith's teams play. |
|---|---|---|
| Last season's forced turnover rate | 20.7% | Ranked 23rd last season, a mark of the pressure Prairie View applied. |
| Last meeting | 95-48 | Prairie View's margin over College of Biblical Studies last November. |
College Of Biblical Studies vs Prairie View A&M: quick answers
When is College Of Biblical Studies vs Prairie View A&M?
Thursday, November 5, 2026 at 6:00 PM ET.