March Madness: Texas A&M vs. Houston odds, picks and predictions
The 9th-seeded Texas A&M Aggies (21-14) face the top-seeded Houston Cougars (31-4) Friday in a 2nd-round game in the NCAA Tournament. Tip from FedExForum in Memphis is scheduled for 8:40 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Texas A&M vs. Houstonodds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Texas A&M put on an offensive show in its 98-83 victory over the 9-seed Nebraska Cornhuskers on Friday in the 1st round, covering the 2.5-point spread as the Over (136) easily cashed. Three A&M starters topped 20 points, led by G Wade Taylor IV's 25 points and a double-double from G Tyrece Radford (20 points and 10 rebounds). Texas A&M has won and covered the spread in 6 of its last 7 games.
No. 1 Houston handled its business on Friday, destroying the Longwood Lancers 86-46 to easily cover the 24-point spread as the Over (129.5) cashed. The Cougars did what they do best, play suffocating defense, and they forced 18 Longwood turnovers. You fully expected Houston to come out and perform like after their embarrassing 69-41 loss in the Big 12 title game to Iowa State.
Houston is No. 2 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
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Texas A&M vs. Houston odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:18 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Texas A&M +400 (bet $100 to win $400) | Houston -550 (bet $550 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Texas A&M +9.5 (-102) | Houston -9.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 134.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Texas A&M vs. Houston picks and predictions
Prediction
Houston 81, Texas A&M 65
Moneyline
PASS.
You should obviously avoid betting Houston (-550) as these odds are too high. That’s just not smart sports betting. Back the spread and/or total instead.
Against the spread
BET HOUSTON -9.5 (-120).
I'm obviously not alone on this, but I've got Houston winning the tournament in my bracket. I love this team because not only do they play the best defense of any team in the country, but they have senior leadership in the backcourt running the show. Guard play could not be more important in the Big Dance and they've got the best combo in the country. The Cougars have covered the spread in 4 of their last 5.
I know Texas A&M is playing great ball, but Houston can lock down the Aggies leading scorer (Taylor 19.0 PPG) and force them to look elsewhere for answers on offense.
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Over/Under
AVOID.
I have never trusted betting totals when it comes to the Cougars. They play great defense which can be deceiving when it comes to the O/U. Oddsmakers are tempting you to take the Under putting it a bit higher than usual, and I’m not going to buy into it. I’d rather just avoid it and keep my bet to the spread.
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