Preview: Frank Phillips Plainsmen at No. -- Midland Chaparrals

MIDLAND, Texas (Interstat) — The surging Midland College Chaparrals, boasting one of the nation’s top junior college men’s basketball records, will host the struggling Frank Phillips College Plainsmen in a conference matchup on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.

The Chaparrals (19-4) enter as heavy favorites, having already defeated the Plainsmen (7-15) decisively, 93-77, just last month on Jan. 15. Midland has won five of its last seven games, including a tight 75-73 road victory over Odessa on Feb. 12. Their balanced attack is led by guard Yeison Liberato, who is coming off a 12-point, 4-rebound, 4-assist performance in that win. Liberato has been a consistent contributor, scoring in double figures in four of his last seven outings.

Frank Phillips seeks to halt a two-game skid and find consistency in the season’s final stretch. The Plainsmen are looking to bounce back from a 90-76 home loss to South Plains on Feb. 12. Their offense will lean on guard Quint Booker, who erupted for 23 points in that defeat. Booker has averaged 13 points over his last three games and will need another high-scoring night to challenge the Chaparrals’ defense.

The Plainsmen’s season has been marked by narrow defeats, including four losses by six points or fewer, but they have struggled against the conference’s elite. Midland, meanwhile, has dominated at home with an 8-1 record in its last nine games in this series, according to available data.

A Frank Phillips upset would require containing Midland’s multifaceted offense and superior rebounding, while the Chaparrals aim to leverage their depth and home-court advantage to solidify their standing atop the conference.