Top Sportsbooks
Reduced Juice wagering only at 5Dimes - A Top Rated Bettorsworld Recommended Sportsbook - Click Here to sign up! |
Texas at Texas AM
Saturday College Basketball Predictions
2/27/10
It’s been a long fall for the Texas Longhorns who were #1 in the country and
17-0 at one point in this season. Their last victory as an undefeated team came
against Texas A&M who they will play again this Saturday at 2 PM EST on ESPN.
The Longhorns dropped 6 of their next 9 after beating Texas A&M in OT. They are
currently on a two game win streak. They beat Oklahoma State in their last game.
The Aggies sport a record of 19-8 and they own wins over Clemson and Baylor.
This is a good rivalry game, and the Aggies may have the edge in their bid to
exact revenge.
The #21 Texas Longhorns are led by senior C Dexter Pittman. We have watched him
play several times and are not exaggerating when we say he is REALLY good. He
had 23 points and 15 rebounds against North Carolina in what is likely his best
game of the year. He put up 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds on the road
against Arkansas. He has been a bit flat in the second half of the year, but he
looked strong in his last game against Oklahoma State where he had 16 points and
8 rebounds. Texas needs him to have a big game. When he plays up to his
potential he is one of the best big men in the country.
Damion James is every bit as important to his team as Pittman. The senior is
adding 17.7 PPG and 10.7 RPG. He averages 41.4% from three point range. His best
game was arguably when he put up 28 points and grabbed 13 rebounds against Texas
Tech. The swingman is a force on the court. Freshman guard Avery Bradley
contributes 12.5 PPG. He can strike well from three point land where he is
connecting at 40.8%. All three of these players need to perform well against the
Aggies.
The #23 Texas Tech Aggies last win came over the lowly Iowa State Cyclones.
Before that they narrowly lost to the Kansas Jayhawks. The most important player
for this team is senior G Donald Sloan. He scores 18.1 PPG. His best game of the
year came when he dropped 28 points on Texas Tech. He is aided by Derrick Roland
and Bryan Davis. They add 10.5 and 10.2 PPG, respectively. Davis gets 8 RPG
playing the forward position. He had 17 points in the Aggies loss to Texas
earlier this year.
The Aggies had a 9 point lead at half time the first time around against Texas.
They let the Longhorns back in the game during the second half and let them
force OT where they won to maintain their since lost status as #1. Texas A&M had
only themselves to blame for the loss. They missed 10 FTs which is unacceptable
in a big game or any game for that matter. They only made 4 of 16 three
pointers. This is a huge game for the Aggies and a win would likely assure them
a spot in the field the 65 come NCAA Tournament time.
Keys to victory for the Texas Longhorns include getting out to a fast start.
They cannot afford to fall behind early to this team like they did the first
time. The Aggies will slam the door shut at home if they do. Texas needs
production from big man Pittman and a solid game from James and Bradley. The
Aggies will need to take advantage of what should be an electrifying environment
at home. Shutting down Pittman and James will ensure a victory; but it won’t be
an easy thing to do.
Predicted Final Score - Texas 73 Texas AM 72
Hoops Plays coming soon!