The LSU Tigers (11-7, 2-4 SEC) welcome the Texas A&M Aggies (13-6, 2-5 SEC) in a matchup that pits outstanding offense against superb defense. Texas A&M opened as a 3-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 142 points. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 23, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPNU.
Texas A&M Aggies vs. LSU Tigers Free Preview
In the Aggies last contest, they defeated the Missouri Tigers, 60-49. With 11 points and 14 rebounds, Texas A&M’s Tyler Davis put together a solid game. Texas A&M played a nearly flawless game. They had a phenomenally low turnover percentage of 5.5 (better than their season average of 17.1) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 24.4 (below their season average of 34.7). Missouri was 11.3 and 16.3, respectively, for those same stats.
The Tigers are hoping for a better outcome after their 77-71 loss to the Vanderbilt Commodores in their last matchup. Duop Reath was the games leading scorer with 31 points on 13-for-20 shooting. Vanderbilt had a free throw rate of 0.408 (above their season average of 0.293). LSU, on the other hand, held the Commodores to an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.6 (below their season average of 29.4).
This showdown pits one of the nations top offenses against one of its elite defenses. LSU ranks 21st in offensive efficiency and Texas A&M is 44th in defensive efficiency. Furthermore, the Aggies are among the NCAA’s elite on the offensive backboards, ranking 52nd in offensive rebounding percentage (34.1 percent). The Tigers, meanwhile, rank 278th at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 68.7 percent.
Games involving these teams have a tendency to go under the O/U total. Texas A&M games have finished under 62.5 percent of the time, while LSU games have gone under 60.0 percent of the time. The Aggies have the substantial advantage straight up (SU) (13-6 vs. 11-7), but the Tigers have the superior against the spread (ATS) record (7-6-2 vs. 7-9).
These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined to put up 137 points, which was under the projected point total of 147.5. The Tigers won 69-68, covering as 7-point underdogs. LSU was lights out from beyond the arc (12-28; 42.9 percent). Texas A&M, meanwhile, had a much better free throw rate (0.339 vs. 0.150). Tremont Waters was the games leading scorer with 21 points.
Texas A&M Aggies at LSU Tigers Odds Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Texas A&M, ATS Winner – LSU, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Tigers rank 39th in blocks allowed per game (2.7) while the Aggies rank 133rd (4.1).
- LSU averages 7.3 steals per game, which ranks 54th in the nation. Texas A&M ranks 104th in steals allowed per game (6.3).
- On the road, Texas A&M is 5-3 ATS with 5 unders and 3 overs.
- At home, LSU is 3-3-2 ATS with 5 unders and 3 overs.
- Texas A&M ranks fourth in rebounds per game (42.0) while LSU ranks 196th (34.7).
- The Tigers rank 48th in assists allowed per game (11.6) while the Aggies rank 174th (14.2).
- LSU averages 22.8 three pointers per game, which ranks 113th in the NCAA. Texas A&M ranks 237th in three pointers allowed per game (24.5).
Betting Trends:
- LSU is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Texas A&M is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Tigers average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.4, down from 7.7 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Aggies have scored an average of 66.8 points per game (8.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 67.2 points per game (0.3 above their season average).
