Washington Huskies at Texas A&M Aggies
Saturday, 12/11/10, 4:30 PM EDT, TV: ESPN2
Opening Point Spread: Washington -2
Current Betting Line: Washington -1
Opening Total: 150
Current Total: 152
Washington ventures into enemy territory for the first time this season and will take on Texas A&M at Reed Arena in a nationally televised contest. This is the second straight year that the two teams are meting in the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series. Last season’s matchup in Seattle was marred by a gruesome injury to Aggies senior Derrick Roland, as the Huskies picked up a 73-64 victory. The Huskies lead Division I in scoring with 95.5 points per game and 3-point shooting at 47.5 percent. “The difference with this Washington team is that anybody can really score the ball,” said Portland coach Eric Reveno. “You can’t lie off a shooter or the post and expect to stop them.” Washington has scored 100 points four times this season and needs to eclipse the century mark one more time to tied the all-time single season record. The squad is 1-4 ATS as a road favorite of three points or less and is currently in this category on the college basketball lines page.
The Huskies struggled to find their footing on the road despite a 26-10 record last season, starting the year off with a 0-7 mark, including a loss in one neutral site game and six true road contests. Washington is currently 1-2 on neutral courts during the 2010-11 season, with both losses coming to ranked opponents in the Maui Invitational. The program is 3-2 all-time in this series against Big 12 opposition, including an 0-2 mark on the road, losing at Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. The Huskies are also 2-6 all-time in games on the home floor of opponents in the state of Texas.
Texas A&M will put a 56-game non-conference home streak on the line Saturday against Washington, as it started during the 2005-06 season and includes wins over Alabama, Arizona and LSU. The Aggies are 88-9 all-time in non-conference games at today’s venue and have five home wins this season, including an 87-63 victory over Prairie View A&M on Wednesday. A key factor in this contest is the rebounding ability of the Aggies, as they haven’t been out-rebounded in any game this season, averaging 13.0 boards more than their opponents. Texas A&M is 3-0 ATS as a home underdog of three points or less.
The Aggies have won 23 of their last 24 home games, including 10 of its last 11 in Big 12 play. Texas A&M is 36-3 at home since the start of the 2008-09 season. Since dropping its first game of the year on Thanksgiving Day, the team has won five straight and held opponents to 35.4 percent shooting from the floor and 25 percent from 3-point range. During that span, Aggie foes have averaged just over 54 points per game and been out-rebounded by a margin of 11 boards.
Bettors will be interested in the Huskies being 7-3 ATS on the road, while the Aggies are 35-16 ATS as an underdog.
The college basketball handicappers at Maddux Sports are ready to kick it into high gear starting this weekend. Don’t miss out on a single play and get a season package today!
