Kentucky Wildcats vs Texas A&M Aggies Odds
| Kentucky Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -105 | 155.5 -115o / -105u | +125 |
| Texas A&M Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -115 | 155.5 -115o / -105u | -150 |
Let's take a look at the Kentucky Wildcats vs. Texas A&M Aggies odds and make a prediction for Saturday's SEC college basketball showdown.
John Calipari's Kentucky Wildcats are tearing through their conference schedule to begin the season. They have won six consecutive contests and now head to College Station to take on the Texas A&M Aggies.
Many public bettors will run to the window on Saturday morning to take the Cats in this game; that is a massive mistake. Head coach Buzz Williams and the Aggies must win this game, or their season will go by the wayside.
Kentucky Wildcats
Nobody can unsee the talent of these Cats, but this is a nightmare situational spot. The market can't get any lower on the Aggies, and I think it is time to smash the sell button on Kentucky.
First of all, they have Mississippi State on deck. They will return home for that contest, but it is a big game for the conference standings.
During this six-game winning streak, I have noticed a few flaws that will hurt them down the stretch. Most of these flaws are on the defensive side of the ball.
Frontcourt mates Tre Mitchell and Aaron Bradshaw have lacked physical presence along the interior. They might be talented offensive players, but they are a big reason the Cats are a middle-of-the-road inside-the-arc defense.
I have concerns about their ability to rebound the basketball. The Aggies are the nation's best offensive-rebounding team and could pile up second-chance points on Saturday.
Their 3-point defense has been strong all season, but the Aggies are shooting an abysmal 26% from deep. Even with some positive shooting regression, the Cats are strong enough on the perimeter to contain the Aggies.
I love Kentucky's offense, but it is time to be realistic about the success thus far. The Wildcats are shooting a ridiculous 40% from deep, but these numbers will dip as they enter the meat of their conference schedule.
According to ShotQuality, the Cats have a ton of looming regression. I think this could be the game where it all comes at once.
Texas A&M Aggies
The Aggies are 0-2 to begin their conference schedule. When I said it's a must-win game for Buzz Williams' squad, I meant it.
I was an Aggies backer when they were 8-point dogs at Auburn earlier this week. Guard Wade Taylor IV arguably had the worst game of his college career, and the Aggies still had the opportunity to cover the number until the very end.
Taylor played awful in that one, but I expect a bounce-back performance from him here. I briefly mentioned the horrible shooting the Aggies have had from deep, but they can not stay ice-cold forever.
As a team, the Aggies are shooting 46% from the floor. That is the bottom 50 in the entire country.
They should be able to take advantage of the weaker interior Wildcats' defense to help boost their offensive production. The Aggies tend to run out a smaller starting lineup, which leads to ball screens and mid-range jumpers to put the opposing frontcourts on ice skates.
The Aggies should break out offensively in this game, and I expect them to win the battle on the glass from the opening tip. Williams is a hell of a coach and motivator, and I think his team will be ready from the jump.
Kentucky vs. Texas A&M
Betting Pick & Prediction
It's time to buy in on the Aggies. The market can not be any lower on them, and I will happily take them in a game where they should pull out all of the stops.
I like the Cats long-term, but they are due for way too much shooting regression. The Aggies are the more desperate team, and I expect a big day from Taylor.
There are enough matchup advantages that the Aggies offense can exploit for me to back them. Read Arena should be jacked up with the Cats coming to town, and I trust the Aggies to pull out the victory at home.
Pick: Texas A&M -1 (Play to -2.5)
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