The Tennessee State Tigers (5-4) travel to Texas to take on the Longhorns (7-3) in a game that has the potential to be low-scoring. The games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 123.5 points with Texas opening as a 19.5-point favorite. Action gets underway at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, December 18, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPN2.
Tennessee State Tigers at Texas Longhorns ATS Preview
The Tigers were beaten by the North Carolina A&T Aggies in their last matchup, 64-54. Tennessee State’s Delano Spencer put together a solid performance, leading both teams in scoring with 17 points on 7-for-13 shooting. North Carolina A&T had a much better free throw rate (0.277 vs. 0.017). Tennessee State, on the other hand, forced the Aggies into a turnover percentage of 20.1 (above their season average of 16.4).
In the Longhorns last matchup, they defeated the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, 75-60. With 22 points on 7-for-12 shooting, Dylan Osetkowski led Texas in scoring. The Longhorns had a ridiculous free throw rate of 0.429 (above their season average of 0.218) and held the Bulldogs to an effective field goal percentage of 0.387 (below their season average of 0.562).
Baskets could be hard to come by as a pair of the NCAA’s top defenses go head-to-head. Dating back to last season, Texas ranks 12th in defensive efficiency (98.5) and Tennessee State is 46th (96.9).
These two teams are complete opposites in terms of the O/U total. Games including Tennessee State have gone over 66.7 percent of the time, while Texas games have gone under 66.7 percent of the time. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Longhorns have a significant advantage. They are 7-3 SU and 2-4 ATS, while the Tigers are 5-4 SU and 1-2 ATS.
Tennessee State Tigers at Texas Longhorns ATS Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Texas, ATS Winner – Tennessee State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Longhorns average 35.2 rebounds per game, which ranks 71st in the NCAA. The Tigers rank 153rd in rebounds allowed per game (33.3).
- Tennessee State ranks 45th in steals per game (6.9) while Texas ranks 113th (5.9).
- Texas ranks 13th in assists allowed per game (11.6) while Tennessee State ranks 178th (13.3).
- The Longhorns rank 11th in blocks per game (4.9) while the Tigers rank 134th (3.3).
- Texas ranks 141st in three pointers allowed per game (20.7) while Tennessee State ranks 243rd (24.3).
