The Texas A&M Aggies and Saint Mary’s Gaels meet Thursday in the college basketball NCAA Tournament at the Paycom Center. Here’s a St. Mary’s vs. Texas A&M Prediction. This article will include a St. Mary’s vs. Texas A&M Pick.
Texas A&M Aggies Betting Preview
The Texas A&M Aggies beat LSU and lost to Oklahoma. Texas A&M has lost 7 of its last 11 games.
The Texas A&M Aggies are averaging 88.5 points on 46 percent shooting and allowing 79.5 points on 44.1 percent shooting. Rashaun Agee is averaging 14.7 points and 8.9 rebounds, while Rylan Griffen is averaging 11.6 points and 2.6 assists. Marcus Hill is the third double-digit scorer and Mackenzie Mgbako is grabbing 4.9 rebounds. The Texas A&M Aggies are shooting 36.5 percent from beyond the arc and 74 percent from the free throw line. The Texas A&M Aggies are allowing 31.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34.2 rebounds per game.
Saint Mary’s Gaels Betting Preview
The Saint Mary’s Gaels beat Gonzaga and lost to Santa Clara. Saint Mary’s has won 10 of its last 12 games.
The Saint Mary’s Gaels are averaging 81.1 points on 46.2 percent shooting and allowing 66.3 points on 40.3 percent shooting. Paulius Murauskas is averaging 18.8 points and 2.2 assists, while Mikey Lewis is averaging 14.2 points and 2.8 rebounds. Joshua Dent is the third double-digit scorer and Andrew McKeever is dishing 1.7 assists. The Saint Mary’s Gaels are shooting 39.1 percent from beyond the arc and 80.3 percent from the free throw line. The Saint Mary’s Gaels are allowing 30.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 38.6 rebounds per game.
Why the Saint Mary’s Gaels will win
- Saint Mary’s has won 20 of its last 21 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Texas A&M has lost eight of its last nine games against AP-ranked opponents.
- Saint Mary’s has won the first half in 20 of its last 21 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why the Texas A&M Aggies will win
- Texas A&M has won 14 of its last 15 night games against non-Conference opponents.
- Saint Mary’s has lost each of its last five NCAA Tournament night games.
- Texas A&M has won the first half in each of its last six night games against non-Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Saint Mary’s last 22 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue has produced a total of 147 or fewer points.
- Each of Texas A&M’s last 15 games against non-Conference opponents has produced a total of 150+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Saint Mary’s ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (80.3%).
- Saint Mary’s ranks 4th among Division 1 teams for rebound percentage this season (58.1%).
- Texas A&M is one of four teams to rank in the top 10 for both points and assists per game this season.
- Texas A&M ranks 8th among Division 1 teams for points per game this season (88.5).
St. Mary’s vs Texas A&M Prediction
Texas A&M has the athleticism advantage and probably the crowd edge as well, with this game being in Oklahoma. However, Texas A&M enters the tournament in rough form and that includes an ugly blowout loss to Oklahoma.
St. Mary’s has been far more consistent, is 20-11 ATS and has a clear size edge down low. St. Mary’s should control the glass and get easy buckets around the rim. St. Mary’s is simply the more balanced, trustworthy team across the board and you can argue it should be favored by five or six points. This line feels soft. Give me the Gaels in the first round.