The Arizona Wildcats (5-3) and the No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies (7-0) square off at US Airways Center. Texas A&M opened as a 2-point favorite, while the games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 147.5 points. Action gets underway at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPN2.
Texas A&M Aggies vs. Arizona Wildcats Betting Preview
In the Aggies last outing, they easily got past the Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros, 78-60. With 17 points and 10 rebounds, Texas A&M’s DJ Hogg put together a good game. Texas A&M played a nearly flawless game. They had an extraordinary free throw rate of 0.327 (above their season average of 0.229) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.545 (below their season average of 0.564). For those same stats, Texas-Rio Grande Valley was 0.157 and 0.350, respectively.
The Wildcats will look to keep it rolling after edging the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels in their last game, 91-88. Arizona was lifted by Deandre Ayton, who had 28 points and 10 rebounds. The Wildcats forced 18 turnovers and held the Runnin’ Rebels to an offensive rebounding percentage of 30.3 (below their season average of 39.1).
Half-court execution will be at a premium when a pair of the NCAA’s slowest-paced teams battle. Arizona ranks 301st in possessions per game (67.1) and Texas A&M is 297th (67.3) since the 2016-17 season. Additionally, the Aggies, who rank 269th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.221), will clash against the Wildcats, who rank 55th in opponents FTA rate (0.208).
Of Texas A&M’s 6 games with betting action, three have finished over the O/U total, while 5 of Arizona’s 8 games have finished over the projected point total. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Aggies have a significant advantage. They are 7-0 SU and 4-2 ATS, while the Wildcats are 5-3 SU and 2-6 ATS.
The Wildcats won the sole contest against the Aggies last season, 67-63. Arizona did a terrific job of making free throws (20-24; 83.3 percent). Texas A&M, meanwhile, had a better effective field goal percentage (0.473 vs. 0.427).
Texas A&M Aggies vs. Arizona Wildcats Odds Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Arizona, ATS Winner – Arizona, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Aggies rank eighth in blocks per game (5.7) while the Wildcats rank 126th (3.5).
- Texas A&M ranks 23rd in rebounds per game (39.6) while Arizona ranks 120th (36.8).
- Arizona ranks 23rd in steals allowed per game (5.0) while Texas A&M ranks 222nd (6.8).
- The Wildcats rank 126th in three pointers allowed per game (20.6) while the Aggies rank 261st (23.2).
- Texas A&M ranks 26th in assists per game (16.4) while Arizona ranks 145th in assists allowed per game (13.1).
