Aggies and Longhorns Renew Lone Star Rivalry in College Station

Texas Longhorns at Texas A&M Aggies, Reed Arena, College Station, TX
Monday, January 31, 2011, 9:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Opening Line: Texas -2
Current Line: Texas -1
Opening Total: 129
Current Total: 128 1/2
Money Line: Texas -120 / Texas A&M +100

Jordan Hamilton and the Texas Longhorns take on the Texas A&M Aggies in College Station in a battle of teams ranked in the top 16. Texas is a 1 point favorite on the road.

Less than two weeks ago, Texas destroyed arch-rival Texas A&M in Austin 81-60. The loss snapped a 13 game winning streak for the Aggies and dropped them out of the top 10. Tonight the two rivals meet again in College Station. Coincidentally, the last time Texas won at Texas A&M was January 31, 2004, exactly 7 years ago today. Texas is 18-3 overall and 6-0 in the Big 12. They vaulted up to number 3 in both polls this week as they were one of only 3 top ten teams not to lose last week. Since an 82-81 overtime loss at home versus then #9 Connecticut, Texas has won 6 games in a row to open conference play. Texas also has losses to Pitt and USC on the season. The Longhorns have wins over Illinois, North Carolina, Michigan St, Arkansas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Kansas, Oklahoma St, and Missouri in addition to the win over A&M. Texas beat then #13 Missouri in Austin Saturday night 71-58. Texas A&M is 17-3 overall and 4-2 in conference. They are ranked #16 in both polls after a disappointing 57-48 loss at Nebraska Saturday. The Aggies also lost to Boston College 67-65 early in the season in a tournament in Orlando. The Aggies have wins over Temple, Washington, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St, Missouri, and Kansas St on the season. The Aggies are 4-1 against the spread against Texas in the last 5 meetings. Three of those games have gone under the total. Texas leads the overall series 133-85. Texas is 3-11 ATS in road games after a conference game the last 3 seasons. Texas A&M is 11-3 ATS after a loss to a conference rival the last 3 seasons. Texas is 13-3 ATS in all games this season, including 6-0 in conference and 9-2 versus teams with winning records.

Texas has no significant injuries right now. Texas is led by guard/forward Jordan Hamilton. Hamilton is averaging 19 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists a game. He is the leading scorer and rebounder for the Longhorns and also is shooting 42.4% from 3-point range. Forward Tristan Thompson averages 12.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 2.2 blocks a game. He leads the team in rebounding, steals, and blocks. Forward Gary Johnson averages 11.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists a game. Guard Cory Joseph averages 11.2 points, 4 rebounds, 2.9 assists to lead the team, and 1.1 steals a game. Texas is outscoring opponents 77-61 on the season. They are shooting 46.3% from the field and 38.2% from 3-point range. Longhorn opponents are shooting 36.6% from the field. Texas makes only 65% of their free throws. Texas averages 41.4 rebounds and has a rebounding margin of +7.2. The Longhorns average 14 assists and 12.5 turnovers a game. Texas forces 13.7 turnovers a game on defense. Texas averages 4.9 blocks and 6.3 steals a game.

Texas A&M has no significant injuries right now. The Aggies are led by forward Khris Middleston who averages 15.7 points to lead the team, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.3 steals a game which is tied for the team lead. Forward David Loubeau averages 10.7 points, and 5.2 rebounds a game. Forward Nathan Walkup averages 10.1 points, 5.7 rebounds to lead the team, and 1.3 assists a game. B.J. Holmes averages 8.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.3 steals a game. Dash Harris leads the team in assists with 3.6 a game. Texas A&M is outscoring opponents 71-59 on the season. The Aggies are shooting 44.9% from the field and 35.5% from 3-point range. The Aggies are holding opponents to 40% shooting from the field. A&M makes 71.6% of their free throws. The Aggies average 38.5 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +10.4. They average 14.4 assists and 13.4 turnovers a game. They force 13.9 turnovers a game on defense. A&M averages 6.3 steals and 1.8 blocks a game.

Texas A&M is 12-0 at home this year. Though College Station is a tough place to play, Texas will not be intimidated. Texas already has wins at Michigan St, Texas Tech, Kansas, and Oklahoma St, some of the toughest places to play in the country. In fact Texas snapped Kansas’s 69 game home winning streak just 9 days ago. Texas A&M had an awful shooting at Nebraska Saturday, shooting 39% from the field, and 6-19 from 3-point range and 6 for 14 from the free throw line. They must play a lot better if they home to beat the talented Longhorns,