The Tarleton State Texans and the New Mexico State Aggies meet Thursday in college basketball action from Pan American Center. Tarleton State is 8-9 on the year so far. The Texans are coming off a win over Stephen F. Austin. As for New Mexico State, they’re sitting at 13-2 and beat UTRGV in their last game. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Tarleton went on a 6-9 run over their first 15 games this year, beating Paul Quinn, DCC, SAGU, South Alabama, Air Force and Dixie State. The last pair of games have also been wins over Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin.
In the Lumberjacks matchup last weekend, the Texans were down 32-28 at halftime. Tarleton needed overtime to do it, but they got away with a 77-71 comeback win. Freddy Hicks led the team on 23 points with eight rebounds.
Over on the New Mexico State side, they kicked off the year at 5-2 with losses to Utah State and New Mexico. Since then the Aggies have beaten UTEP, New Mexico, LMU, Washington State, Northern NM, UTPB, Chicago State and UTRGV.
Last Saturday versus the Vaqueros, New Mexico State got off to a 44-37 lead at halftime. The Aggies would go on to the 85-73 win. Teddy Allen led the team on a double-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in 35 minutes of work.
The Aggies are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 after an ATS win and 4-0 ATS in their last four Thursday games. The over is 9-2 in New Mexico State’s last 11 overall.
Meanwhile, the Texans are 7-3-1 ATS in the last 11 road games and 5-1 ATS in their last six overall. The over is 4-0 in Tarleton State’s last four overall.
PICK: I’m going to stay with New Mexico State in this one. The Aggies have been on a nice run over this six-game win streak. They’ve hit 78 or more points in each of their last four games as well. Tarleton State seems to be pretty good on defense against comparable teams this season, but I don’t think the Texans will be able to slow down a hot New Mexico State team here.