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The No. 23 Texas A&M Aggies (1-1) welcome the Lamar Cardinals (1-0) to Reed Arena Monday. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Lamar vs. Texas A&M odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
Texas A&M is No. 23 in the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll. It dropped from No. 15 after a disappointing 64-61 opening-season loss at the UCF Knights, closing as a 6-point favorite. The Aggies followed that up with an 87-55 win over the visiting East Texas A&M Lions Friday, covering as 31-point favorites. SMU transfer G Zhuric Phelps has been Texas A&M’s key weapon, scoring 18 points per game and shooting 61.5% from the field.
Lamar throttled Paul Quinn University 113-42 Nov. 4. It outscored Paul Quinn by at least 30 points in each half. It beat Paul Quinn by 27 points last season, so it has certainly had year-over-year improvements. The Cardinals were led by F Andrew Holifield, who dropped 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting. The Cardinals were 19-14 last season and finished 4th in the Southland Conference.
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Lamar at Texas A&M odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college basketball odds. Lines last updated at 1:20 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Lamar +3000 (bet $100 to win $3,000) | Texas A&M -10000 (bet $10,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lamar +25.5 (-110) | Texas A&M -25.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Lamar at Texas A&M picks and predictions
Prediction
Texas A&M 80, Lamar 62
Moneyline
PASS.
There’s nothing to see here. The Aggies are far, far too expensive, and the Cardinals likely won’t have the firepower to keep pace with Texas A&M.
Against the spread
BET LAMAR +25.5 (-110).
Texas A&M dominated East Texas A&M Friday, and while the Aggies covered, they faced an opponent that was just 13-20 last season and 6-12 in Southland play.
Lamar, which has added Holifield this season, was 19-14 overall and 12-6 in Southland play. It played against 3 AAC sides and 1 SEC side last season and did not lose any of the 4 games by 26 or more points.
As for Texas A&M, it is averaging just 74 points per game and had a disappointing season-opening loss, shooting just 37% from the field and committing double-digit turnovers. While Lamar likely won’t win the game, it should keep within this spread. Back LAMAR +25.5 (-110).
Over/Under
BET UNDER 145.5 (-115).
The Aggies play a high level of defense, which was almost their savior against UCF. They allowed just 64 points in that game and followed that up by allowing 55 Friday. Texas A&M has gone Under in both battles.
While Lamar dropped 113 on Paul Quinn, this will obviously be a far more competent defense, and considering it hasn’t faced one of this caliber, it may struggle to get good looks.
Take UNDER 145.5 (-115).
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