Texas A&M Aggies at No. 7 Baylor Bears
Monday, 1/2/12, 7:00 PM EST, TV: ESPNU
Opening Point Spread: Baylor -13
Current Betting Line: Baylor -13.5
Opening Total: 122
Current Total: 125
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Texas A&M has lost two of its last three games and will be searching to open Big 12 Conference play with a victory for the fifth time in six years. The Aggies have also dropped three in a row in this particular series, including a 58-51 defeat inside the Ferrell Center as three-point underdogs on Feb. 26, 2011. “I know we struggled with them last year and I think they’re a lot better than they were last year,” stated Aggies first-year head coach Billy Kennedy. Texas A&M is 2-0 ATS as a road underdog of 12.5 to 15 points the last two-plus seasons.
The Aggies have tallied a 27-11 conference record over the last 2 1/2 seasons and are one of just three teams to finish .500 or better in Big 12 play in each of the past seven years. Texas A&M scores 51.9 percent of its points inside the paint this year, which will be a major challenge for them against a physical opponent. It’s important to watch the scoreboard when this game reaches the break, as the program is 9-0 this year when leading at halftime. Four players average double figures in scoring—led by junior forward Khris Middleton in scoring 13.6 points per game.
Baylor opens up its Big 12 Conference schedule at home for the fourth time in five seasons and is one of just four remaining undefeated teams. The Bears are 76-127 all-time in the his particular series, but have proven victorious in their last three chances as host. “I am very proud of them to have the opportunity to do that,” commented Bears head coach Scott Drew about his team potentially setting a school record for longest win streak with a victory tonight. Baylor is 1-3 ATS as a home favorite of 12.5 or more points.
The Bears are 9-4 in their last 13 games against in-state conference opponents, while posting a 46-14 mark during the Drew era when playing as a ranked team. Baylor also has four players that average double-digit points per game, as sophomore Perry Jones III is the current leader in scoring 13.4 points a contest. Offensively, the team is coming off a disappointing effort despite picking up a win, shooting a season-worst 34.5 percent from the field in a 54-52 neutral-site win over Mississippi State.
Bettors will likely back the Aggies due to the underdog being 13-3 ATS in this series, while the Bears are 0-4 ATS when playing on Mondays.
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