The No. 15-ranked Texas A&M Aggies (13-2) and the Southeastern’s top-ranked offense welcome the Florida Gators (10-5) and the fourth-ranked defense in the conference. Action begins at 7:00 pm ET on Tuesday, Jan. 12 and will air on SEC and ES3.
The Aggies defeated Tennessee 92-88 on Saturday. Jalen Jones was the game’s high scorer with 27 points on 10-for-15 shooting. The Gators are coming off a 68-62 win over LSU on Saturday. Justin Leon was the team’s top scorer, posting 14 points on 6-for-8 shooting.
Over the last five games, Jones has really been playing well for the Aggies, averaging 18.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 1.4 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 1.2 three-pointers.
This battle pits one of the nation’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses, as Texas A&M currently ranks 32nd in offensive efficiency and Florida is 17th in defensive efficiency. Also, the Gators commit the 13th-fewest errors in the nation (TO% of 15.1%), while the ball-hawking defense of the Aggies causes the 21st-most (opponents’ TO% of 23.2%).
Texas A&M, a five-point favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Florida. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is 136 points. The Aggies are attempting to build on their records of 13-2 Straight Up (SU) and 5-3-2 Against The Spread (ATS). Texas A&M is known to control the offensive glass, where it racks up an impressive 13.3 offensive rebounds per game. Few teams in the nation have a higher assist-to-turnover ratio than Texas A&M, which ranks 25th at 1.50.
On the other side, the Gators head into the game with records of 7-5-1 ATS and 10-5 SU. The Gators have controlled the offensive glass with an average of 14.5 offensive rebounds per game, 15th in the country.
This is the first meeting of the season for these conference foes. The last time they played, Florida came out on top, moving its SU record against Texas A&M to 4-1 in their most recent head-to-head meetings. With a 4-1 record, the Gators also have the advantage ATS. When it comes to field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers, Florida held the edge in all three of these categories one time in the last five meetings. Texas A&M never did so in those games.
Predictions: SU Winner – TexA&M, ATS Winner – TexA&M, O/U – Over
Notes
Texas A&M is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas A&M’s last 6 games.
Texas A&M is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home.
Texas A&M is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Florida.
Texas A&M averages 80.1 points per game this season. Florida is one of the best teams in points allowed, giving up just 63.4 points per game (ranked 22nd).
Florida has allowed an average of 62.2 points per away game this season. Texas A&M averages 84.8 points per home game, ranking 52nd in scoring.
Ranked 17th, the Florida Gators have one of the top defenses in the country, giving up just 91.6 points per 100 possessions. The Texas A&M Aggies rank 32nd in offense, scoring 115.5 points in the same number of possessions.
The Texas A&M Aggies average 69.3 possessions and 1.155 points per possession in games this season. The Florida Gators average fewer possessions with 69.0, as well as fewer points per possession with 1.055.
Florida has an average effective field goal percentage of 46.4%. Texas A&M is a tremendous 6-1 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, Texas A&M attempts 21.0 three pointers and Florida attempts 22.0. Both teams have winning records when they have 20 or more three point attempts. The Texas A&M Aggies sit at 9-2 and the Florida Gators are 8-3.
The 25th-ranked team in the category, Texas A&M has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.50 this season. Florida ranks 90th with an A/TO of 1.21.
Florida, the 17th-ranked team in rebounding, registers an average of 42.1 rebounds per game. Texas A&M ranks 77th with 39.0.
When it comes to offensive rebounds, Florida ranks 15th. Texas A&M ranks 178th in defensive rebounds.
Though Texas A&M is one of the best in the country in forcing turnovers with opponents averaging a TO% of 23.2% (ranked 21st), Florida is undefeated (1-0) when its TO% is 23.2% or greater.
