The No. 10 Providence Friars (21-13) take on the No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies (20-12) in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center. The game is scheduled to start at 12:15 p.m. ET on Friday, March 16, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 138.5 points with Texas A&M set as a 3.5-point favorite.
Providence Friars vs. Texas A&M Aggies Betting Prediction
The Friars are hoping for a better outcome after their 76-66 loss to the No. 2 Villanova Wildcats in the Big East Conference Tourney. Villanova’s 0.508 effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over Providence, who had a mark of 0.426. The Wildcats’ mark was below their season average of 0.600, while the Friars’ was below their season average of 0.499. Alpha Diallo was Providence’s high scorer with 22 points on 8-for-17 shooting.
In the Southeastern Conference Tourney, the Aggies lost a close one to the Alabama Crimson Tide, 71-70. Alabama’s effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Texas A&M. The Crimson Tide had a rate of 0.508 (below their season average of 0.517), while the Aggies posted a mark of 0.443 (below their season average of 0.513). T.J. Starks had a solid performance for Texas A&M, leading the team in scoring with 23 points on 8-for-17 shooting.
Texas A&M figures to have the edge on the defensive side of the ball. The Aggies currently rank 15th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.464), while Providence is 248th in effective field goal percentage (0.496).
Providence is 21-13 straight up (SU), but they have trouble covering the spread (14-18 against the spread (ATS)). Friars games have no tendency in regards to the projected point total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Texas A&M has a respectable 20-12 SU record, but they are just 13-16 ATS. Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of Aggies games, with 15 overs compared to 14 unders.
Alpha Diallo has averaged 15.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists over the last five games for Providence.
Providence Friars vs. Texas A&M Aggies ATS Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Providence, ATS Winner – Providence, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Texas A&M ranks fifth in rebounds per game (41.3) while Providence ranks 204th in rebounds allowed per game (36.0).
The Aggies rank sixth in blocks per game (5.9) while the Friars rank 145th in blocks allowed per game (3.5).
Providence ranks 145th in three-pointers allowed per game (21.5) while Texas A&M ranks 225th (23.3).
The Friars rank 73rd in steals per game (6.9) while the Aggies rank 146th in steals allowed per game (6.3).
Providence averages 13.8 assists per game, which ranks 142nd in the nation. Texas A&M ranks 203rd in assists allowed per game (14.3).
Bettings Trends:
The Friars have been outscored by an average of 1.8 points in their last five games. For the season, Providence has defeated opponents by an average of 1.0 point.
During their last five games, the Aggies have scored an average of 73.8 points per game (1.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 74.2 points per game (4.4 above their season average).
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