Big 12 Conference Semifinals
Texas A&M Aggies vs Texas Longhorns
Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO
Friday, March 11, 2011, 9:30 pm Eastern, TV: MASN, Altitude
Opening Line: Texas -6 1/2
Current Line: Texas -6
Opening Total: 125 1/2
Current Line: 124
Money Line: Texas -260 / Texas A&M +220
These two long time Lone Star State rivals are both nationally ranked and playing for better seeding in the NCAA tournament. Texas is #10 in both polls with a 26-6 record and they finished second in the Big 12 behind Kansas with a 13-3 record. Texas A&M is ranked #21 with a 24-7 overall record. The Aggies finished 3rd in the Big 12 with a 10-6 record. Texas A&M has won two straight including an 86-71 victory over Missouri in the quarterfinals yesterday. Texas has also won 2 in a row including a 74-54 thrashing of Oklahoma in the quarterfinals. Texas had lost 3 of their previous 4 games, a stretch that cost the Longhorns the Big 12 title.
Texas swept the season series against Texas A&M in a two week stretch in January. They won in Austin January 19 81-60 and in College Station January 31 69-49. Texas Leads the overall series 134-85, including 5-4 in conference tournament or neutral site games. Texas has won 4 of the last 6 games in the series but A&M is 4-2 ATS those games. Four of those Six games have gone under the total.
Texas A&M has no significant injuries right now. The Aggies are led by forward Khris Middleston who averages 14.2 points to lead the team, 5.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. Forward David Loubeau averages 11.9 points, and 4.9 rebounds a game. B.J. Holmes averages 9.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. Holmes leads the team in assists and steals. Forward Nathan Walkup averages 9.6 points, 5.7 rebounds to lead the team, and 1.4 assists a game. Dash Harris averages 3.1 assists and 1.2 steals a game No Aggie averages more than 0.5 blocks a game. Texas A&M is outscoring opponents 69-61 on the season. The Aggies are shooting 44.8% from the field and 33.9% from 3-point range. The Aggies are holding opponents to 40.8% shooting from the field. A&M makes 70% of their free throws. The Aggies average 36.5 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +7.1. They average 13.7 assists and 13.1 turnovers a game. They force 13.4 turnovers a game on defense. A&M averages 6.5 steals and 1.5 blocks a game.
Texas has no significant injuries right now. Texas is led by guard/forward Jordan Hamilton. Hamilton is averaging 18.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists a game. He is the leading scorer for the Longhorns and also is shooting 39.8% from 3-point range. Forward Tristan Thompson averages 13.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1 steal, and 2.3 blocks a game. He leads the team in rebounding and blocks and tied for the team lead in steals. Forward Gary Johnson averages 11.8 points, 7 rebounds and 1.2 assists a game. Guard Cory Joseph averages 10.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists to lead the team, and 1 steal a game to lead the team. Texas is outscoring opponents 75-61 on the season. They are shooting 45.4% from the field and 37.8% from 3-point range. Longhorn opponents are shooting 37.8% from the field. Texas makes only 64.2% of their free throws. Texas averages 40.8 rebounds and has a rebounding margin of +6.8. The Longhorns average 13.5 assists and 12 turnovers a game. Texas forces 13.2 turnovers a game on defense. Texas averages 5 blocks and 5.9 steals a game.
Texas has a shot at the very least of getting a #2 seed and if they win the Big 12 tournament and get some help, they might even be a #1. A&M is trying to move up to a 4 or 5 seed. Texas has dominated the Aggies this year winning both games by 20 or more points. Even if they have a let down, they should be able to cover a 6 point spread.
Our college basketball handicappers are red hot as we approach Selection Sunday. Don’t miss out on any more winners from now until they cut down the nets in Houston next month.
