Coming off a disappointing season last year in which Ohio State had a 1-14 stretch, Chris Holtmann’s program nearly slipped up in the opener to Oakland, as they trailed by a point at half. Now, they have No. 15 Texas A&M coming to the Schottenstein Center after beating up on Texas A&M-Commerce in their season opener.
The college basketball odds give a slight advantage to the Buckeyes, who are 1.5-point favorites at home, in a game that might lack for defense given how Ohio State handled the Golden Grizzlies and the way Buzz Williams’ squad shot 3s in the opener.
Find out where my best bets lie in our NCAAB picks and predictions for Texas A&M vs. Ohio State on Friday, November 10.
Texas A&M vs Ohio State best odds
Texas A&M vs Ohio State picks and predictions
After winning at least 20 games and advancing to the NCAA Tournament four times while leading the scarlet and grey, last year was a 16-19 mess for Holtmann and Ohio State. Despite the struggles, his team was still able to put up 72.5 points per game and with a bunch of new faces, and they’re poised to do even more damage this season.
With the veteran presence of big man Zed Key — who had 17 points and eight rebounds in the opener — being joined by three impressive underclassmen guards, the Buckeyes should be able to challenge the Texas A&M defense.
Last season, Williams’ program allowed 66.5 points per game, including at least 69 in 11 games. With sophomores Roddy Gayle Jr. and Bruce Thornton — both of whom dropped 17 in the opener — and freshman Scotty Middleton, Ohio State is bringing a lot more scoring touch and 3-point ability to the court this season.
The three young guards combined to go 5-for-15 from behind the arc in the opener, which may not jump out as a high clip, but it was Middleton’s length at 6-foot-6 with his shooting stroke that really jumped out — he went 2-for-4 from downtown.
This Buckeyes offense can spread out the Aggies the same way Penn State was able to in the tournament last season when they gave up 13 3s, with 11 coming from starting guards.
“You look for those big games,” Thornton said. “That's one of the reasons we came to Ohio State, to play a top-15 team in the country (at home). I'm ready for Friday.”
The Aggies offense should be ready too after putting up 78 in their opener and averaging 72.8 per game last season. This is an Ohio State team that’s struggled defensively dating back to last season when they allowed 69 per game, 141st in the country, including at least 69 in 18 games.
The opener against Oakland proved there’s still issues on that side after they gave up 73 points and allowed the Golden Grizzlies to shoot 14 of 35 (40%) from behind the arc. That’s great news for Williams’ offense after his starting guards flexed their ability to pull from deep in the opener.
Leading scorers Hayden Hefner and Wade Taylor combined to go seven of 13 from three and had 35 points combined against Texas A&M-Commerce. Those two will be the key to seeing how far the Aggies can go this year with Taylor being their leading returning scorer (16.3 points per game) and Hefner clearly taking his game to another level with his 3-point shooting after averaging under four points per game in his first three seasons.
The leading Texas A&M’s guards have some experienced reinforcements that can help add to the scoring in third-year starting forward Henry Coleman III, who will do battle with Key down low, and third-year starting guard Tyrece Radford, who is willing to shoot threes (3.8 per game last season) and make plays (four assists in the opener).
With the 3-point ability of both teams, the experience in the front court, and the struggles defensively from the Buckeyes, the Over looks good on Friday night in Columbus.
My best bet: Over 138.5 (-110 at bet365)
Texas A&M vs Ohio State same-game parlay
Over 138.5
Texas A&M moneyline
On paper, the Aggies have the better team in terms of ability to shoot 3s and play defense. Ohio State is young in the backcourt and lacks length to defend down low.
With new Texas A&M big man Wildens Leveque — a 6-foot-11 UMass transfer — protecting the rim, Key will be challenged in the paint. Key has been the Buckeyes’ “Mr. Reliable,” but Leveque is a block machine, averaging 2.4 per 40 minutes last season and 2.9 per 40 minutes this season.
Having his size to go with Taylor, Hefner, Radford, and Coleman, who have all been with Williams for years, the Buckeyes may not be ready to face a team of this caliber.
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Texas A&M vs Ohio State spread and Over/Under analysis
Most books opened with the Buckeyes as 1.5-point favorites and have stayed there, though a few did have the Aggies as one-point road favorites before shifting in Ohio State’s favor.
Ohio State didn’t cover the 19.5-point spread in the opener and are coming off a season where they were just 14-21 ATS. The Aggies, on the other hand, were one of the best ATS last season, going 23-12. They started this season on a winning note in that department.
The total for this game opened between 137.5 and 140.5, but most books have settled in at 138.5.
The Buckeyes are 19-17 to the Over dating back to last season, while the Aggies are 16-20.
Texas A&M vs Ohio State betting trend to know
Texas A&M has hit the moneyline in 19 of its last 24 games (+15.40 Units / 19% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Texas A&M vs Ohio State.
Texas A&M vs Ohio State game info
| Location: | Value City Arena, Columbus, OH |
| Date: | Friday, November 10, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Peacock |
Texas A&M vs Ohio State key injuries
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