Texas A&M vs. West Virginia Pick
The college basketball season tips off today and features a big matchup when No. 11 West Virginia faces No. 25 Texas A&M at 6PM ET.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, West Virginia is favored in this game, as the Mountaineers are getting odds of -6.5 points against Texas A&M. The over/under total for this contest has been set at 134.5 points. Tonight’s contest takes place from the Ramstein Air Force Base in Ramstein, Germany. The game will air live on ESPN.
West Virginia is coming off a 28-9 record last season where it finished the year ranked No. 13 nationally. The Mountaineers were just 14-16-2 against the spread overall. WVU lost plenty of talent from last year’s squad and five seniors graduated and Elijah Macon declared for the NBA Draft. Back is guard Jevon Carter, who led the team with 13.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.5 steals per game. Also back is forward Esa Ahmad, who averaged 11.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
Texas A&M is coming off a 16-15 record last year in which the Aggies were just 11-17 against the spread. The team is sticking with Bill Kennedy as coach, as he enters his seventh season. The team lost seven players from last year’s roster. Three transferred while two others graduated. The team did add transfer Duane Wilson from Marquette, who can play immediately. Wilson had two years of averaging 11 points per game while with Marquette. Center Tyler Davis is back after averaging 14.1 points and 7 rebounds per game last season. Also back is guard Admon Gilder, who averaged 13.7 points and 3.9 assists per game last year.
Bet on Texas A&M vs. West Virginia
West Virginia has won two straight meetings with the Aggies, but Texas A&M has covered the spread in both contests. Still, WVU has the experience and history of being a successful team, which is something I can’t say for Texas A&M. I can see why people like the Aggies potential, but potential only gets you so far. On a big stage like tonight, West Virginia has the experience that will pay off. The public betting is behind the Mountaineers tonight and I agree.
CBB DAILY PREDICTION: WEST VIRGINIA -6.5