The Oregon Ducks will bring their undefeated record into Las Vegas on Tuesday afternoon as they take on the Texas A&M Aggies in the Players Era Festival at MGM Garden Arena.
The Ducks may have the better record, but I like the Aggies to cover in my Oregon vs. Texas A&M predictions.
Keep reading to see my full analysis of this early-season showdown in my free college basketball picks for Tuesday, November 26 with tip set for 4:30 p.m. ET on TNT.
Oregon vs Texas A&M prediction
My best bet
Texas A&M -3 (-115 at bet365)
My analysis
The Oregon Ducks come into today’s game on a high note, having just beaten the Oregon State Beavers 78-75 in an in-state rivalry game. However, the Ducks haven’t played a team nearly as good as the Texas A&M Aggies this season, and they’ll need to play far better to have a chance of getting a win this afternoon.
The Aggies are a defensive and rebounding nightmare for opponents. Texas A&M is currently allowing just 61.6 ppg on the season while blocking 5.6 shots per game. KenPom has the Aggies as the No. 17 team in the nation in terms of defensive rating, though a slow pace also has something to do with the low totals opponents are putting up.
The Aggies are also averaging 17.4 offensive rebounds per game a year after leading the nation in that category. Texas A&M has the players to take advantage of all those extra opportunities, including preseason All-American Wade Taylor IV, who is averaging 14 points and 4.8 assists per game.
That’s not to dismiss Oregon as an opponent, however. While the Ducks haven’t played any elite competition, the 5-0 record isn’t a fluke, as they are solid on both sides of the ball. In particular, Oregon has a deep lineup that can score. Six players are logging at least 22 minutes per game, and eight are scoring at least 7.5 ppg. Center Nate Bittle is the clear star, scoring 16.2 points and snagging 10.2 rebounds per game.
In many cases, I might be worried about Texas A&M’s relative lack of size in its starting lineup when dealing with Bittle. But we’ve seen time and again — dating back to last season — that the Aggies use length and athleticism to more than compete on the boards, even against taller opponents. Pharrel Payne may be only 6-foot-9 — three inches shorter than Bittle — but he has shown the ability to battle with true centers and is blocking 1.4 shots per game.
In other words, Oregon’s only real advantage will be neutralized. Meanwhile, Texas A&M brings too much to the table defensively for the Ducks to keep up with the number of scoring threats the Aggies can throw at them.
Oregon vs Texas A&M same-game parlay
Texas A&M -2.5
Under 147.5
Zhuric Phelps Over 14.5 points
I like the Texas A&M defense to control this game. I’m still taking the Aggies to cover, and I’ll also throw in a bet on the Under.
Not only does Texas A&M have an elite defense, but it also plays at a very slow pace. Oregon doesn’t look to speed things up, either, so the Under is a smart bet.
I’ll also pick Aggies guard Zhuric Phelps to score at least 15 points this afternoon. The senior has hit that mark in three of his first four games and is averaging 16.0 ppg, making him a strong pick to get to this total and make our SGP a winner.
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Oregon vs Texas A&M odds
Oregon vs Texas A&M live odds
Oregon vs Texas A&M opening odds
- Spread: Oregon +3 (-110) | Texas A&M -3 (-110)
- Moneyline: Oregon +140 | Texas A&M -165
- Over/Under: Over 143.5 (-110) | Under 143.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Oregon vs Texas A&M betting trend to know
Texas A&M has won four straight games by 14+ points. Find more college basketball betting trends for Oregon vs. Texas A&M.
How to watch Oregon vs Texas A&M
| Location: | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV |
| Date: | Tuesday, 11-26-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 4:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TNT |
Oregon vs Texas A&M key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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