Lone Star State Showdown in Austin: Texas A&M at Texas

Texas A&M Aggies at Texas Longhorns, Frank Erwin Special Events Center, Austin, TX
Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 9:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN2
Opening Line: Texas -7
Current Line: Texas -7
Opening Total: 130 1/2
Current Total: 131
Money Line: Texas -300 / Texas A&M +250

Jordan Hamilton and the Texas Longhorns take on the Texas A&M Aggies in big 12 play in Austin. The Longhorns are -6 .5 favorites.

When Texas and Texas A&M get together it is always special, no matter the sport or records of the two schools. . The two schools renew their rivalry in men’s basketball tonight in Austin. Both teams are ranked in or near the top ten. Texas A&M is 16-1 and 3-0 in Big 12 play and ranked #10 in the country. Since a loss to Boston College in a tournament in Orlando Thanksgiving Day, the Aggies have reeled of 13 straight victories. They have wins over Temple, Washington, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St, and Missouri. The game against Missouri was last Saturday in College Station and Missouri was ranked #12 at the time. The Aggies won 91-89 in overtime. Texas is 14-3 and 2-0 in the Big 12, and ranked #11. Texas has losses to Pitt, USC, and UConn on the season. The Longhorns lost to Pitt in New York City by 2 68-66, and lost at home to UConn by one point in overtime 82-81. Both Pitt and UConn are currently ranked in the top 10. The Longhorns have wins over Illinois, North Carolina, Michigan St, Arkansas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma on the year. Texas A&M is off to their best start in 91 years since they won all 19 of their games in the 1919-20 season. For the hot start to continue the Aggies will have to do something they haven’t done since 2002, that is win in Austin. Texas leads the overall series 132-85, including 77-26 in Austin. A&M won the previous meeting in College Station 74-58 last season. Texas A&M is 15-6 ATS the last three seasons in road games, and 18-8 ATS as underdog the last 3 years. Texas is 5-15 ATS versus conference foes the last 3 seasons.

Texas A&M is led by forward Khris Middleton who is averaging 15.8 points to lead the team, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 steals a game. Forward David Loubeau is averaging 11.5 points, and 5.2 rebounds a game. Forward Nathan Walkup averages 10.6 points, 6.1 rebounds to lead the team, and 1.4 assists a game. Guard B.J. Holmes leads the Aggies in assists with 3.8 a game and steals with 2.5 a game. He also averages 9.4 points and 2.7 rebounds a game. Texas A&M is outscoring opponents 74-58 on the season. They shoot 45.7% from the field and 34.9% from 3-point range. Aggie opponents are shooting 38.8% from the field. The Aggies make 72.9% of their free throws. Texas A&M averages 39.5 rebounds and has a rebounding margin of +11.6. They average 15.4 assists and 13.4 turnovers a game. They force 14.5 turnovers a game on defense. The Aggies average 6.9 steals and 1.9 blocks a game.

Texas is led by sophomore guard/forward Jordan Hamilton. Hamilton is averaging 19.2 to lead the team, 7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists a game. He is shooting 42.3% from 3-point range. Freshman forward Tristan Thompson averages 12.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.9 blocks a game. He leads the team in rebounds, steals and blocks. Forward Gary Johnson averages 12 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists a game. Guard Cory Joseph is averaging 11.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists to lead the team, and 1.1 steals a game. Texas is outscoring opponents 78-61 on the season. The Longhorns are shooting 45.5% from the field and 37.4% from 3-point range. Texas holds opponents to 36.8% shooting from the field. The Longhorns make 64.1% of their free throws. The Longhorns average 42.3 rebounds, and have a rebounding margin of +7.2. Texas averages 14.4 assists and 12.4 turnovers a game. They force 14.5 turnovers a game on defense. Texas averages 4.8 blocks and 6.5 steals a game.

Both of these teams have dominant front courts and are really good at rebounding. Both teams allow just around 60 points a game, and sre very good defensively. These two are evenly matched and it should be a great game between two long time rivals.