Texas A&M vs LSU Odds
| Texas A&M Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -110 | 138 -110o / -109u | -278 |
| LSU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -110 | 138 -110o / -109u | +230 |
Two teams moving in opposite directions meet in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Saturday night, with LSU hosting Texas A&M at the Maravich Center.
The Tigers won their first SEC game, but they have lost 10 straight to enter this game at 12-12 overall on the season.
Meanwhile, the Aggies have been surging in SEC play, with only No. 3 Alabama owning more conference wins to this point.
A&M can’t afford to slip up in this matchup as it pushes to make the NCAA tournament, but the home team won’t make it easy in this league battle.
Texas A&M Aggies
After finishing the non-conference slate with an 8-5 record and no quality wins, most fans thought coach Buzz Williams’ team had ruined its chances of making the Big Dance.
However, the Aggies have flipped the script in conference play.
On the year, A&M joins the Crimson Tide as the only two SEC programs to rank in the top 50 in both Offensive and Defensive Adjusted Efficiency, according to Bart Torvik.
Williams’ squad has also excelled at crashing the offensive glass (7th) and getting to the free-throw line (4th).
Coming into this weekend, the Aggies are listed as the "Last Team In" by ESPN’s Bracketology.
With nationally-ranked Tennessee and Alabama still on its schedule, the program has a great opportunity to be playing in mid-March.
LSU Tigers
Coach Matt McMahon’s debut season started with great promise, as the Tigers posted an 11-1 record in non-conference play. This was followed by the Tigers winning their SEC opener against Arkansas.
However, LSU has not won since.
It also hasn’t been very competitive in these contests, owning a 3-8 record against the spread. It makes it even worse when you notice that two of the covers came in the first pair of conference games.
If there is one positive note, it has been the play of forward KJ Williams, who is third in the SEC in scoring (16.5 PPG) and seventh in rebounding (7.5 RPG).
With how well A&M likes to attack the glass offensively, how well Williams boxes out on Saturday night may be more important than his scoring.
Texas A&M vs LSU Betting Pick
When I look at the odds for this matchup, I see a little value on Texas A&M at -5 or better, but I believe there is a better way to oppose LSU.
My best bet is for the Tigers to fall under their team total of 67 or better.
For starters, this is a squad that is outside the top 200 in multiple offensive categories, including EFG% (298th), 2-point% (311th) and 3-point shooting (223rd).
This is also the same team averaging just 58 points per game at home in SEC play, with this same bet cashing in four of five home league games.
Another issue in this particular contest is the fact that LSU is 237th in turnover percentage. Meanwhile, A&M is top-10 in the country at forcing turnovers.
This problem could be even worse if key ball handler Trae Hannibal is out due to injury.
Any time you bet a total of any kind, you also need to check on the tempos for both squads. The Aggies come in at 214th in pace, while the Tigers are even slower at 271st.
Texas A&M secured a 13-point victory in the first meeting and held LSU under this same total. We could be in store for a very similar outcome in this one.
