The Wake Forest Demon Deacons will be taking on the Texas A&M Aggies in the quarterfinals of the NIT. Both teams were just a couple of spots away from making the NCAA Tournament but ultimately had to settle for the NIT.
Regardless, the effort is still there and the NIT is still an exciting tournament with plenty of talented teams. The difference between the NIT and the NCAA Tournament is that the higher seed actually gets a home game. With Texas A&M at home, does Wake Forest stand a chance?
Here are our college basketball picks and predictions for the quarterfinals matchup between the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the Texas A&M Aggies.
Wake Forest vs Texas A&M odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
The Texas A&M Aggies opened as 2.5-point favorites but have already jumped up to -3 at most outlets. The total, however, is starting to shift down after opening at 140.5. There are some books holding numbers as low as 139.5 at this writing.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until tip-off and be sure to check out the full college basketball odds before placing your bets.
Wake Forest vs Texas A&M predictions
Predictions made on 3/23/2022 at 8:00 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Wake Forest vs Texas A&M game info
• Location: Reed Arena, College Station, TX
• Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2022
• Tip-off: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN2
Wake Forest vs Texas A&M betting preview
Injuries
Wake Forest: Grant Van Beveren F (Out).
Texas A&M: Marcus Williams G (Out), Jalen Johnson F (Out).
Find our latest NCAA basketball injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Aggies are 7-1 against the spread in their last 8 games following a straight-up win. Find more NCAA betting trends for Wake Forest vs. Texas A&M.
Wake Forest vs Texas A&M picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Spread analysis
The Texas A&M Aggies have only lost two of their last 13 games. One loss came against Vanderbilt on the road and the other was against Tennessee in the SEC Championship game. Otherwise, Texas A&M has been rolling past competition since Mid-February.
It would be quite the story for the Aggies if they ended up winning the NIT and with the quarterfinals at home, Texas A&M is in good shape.
Texas A&M is shooting just 33% from deep and 49.9% from inside the arc, both average numbers. However, the Aggies are also dominating the offensive glass and getting to the foul line at a rapid pace. Those two categories have helped the offense stick together.
On the other hand, Wake Forest is holding opponents to 32.5% from deep and 46.5% from inside the arc. While the Demon Deacons don’t earn a whole bunch of turnovers at just 17.7% per game, Wake Forest has been solid on the defensive glass and could limit Texas A&M on the offensive boards.
Then again, Texas A&M is turning the ball over 19.2% of the time but is going up against a Wake Forest team that doesn’t force many turnovers.
On the flip side, Wake Forest is a much better offense in terms of shooting. The Demon Deacons are hitting 34.8% from deep and 58.3% from inside the arc this season. The rate inside ranks among the Top 3 in all of college basketball.
However, Wake Forest turns the ball over 19% of the time and earns just 27% offensive rebounds. The Demon Deacons could end up earning more second chances on the glass knowing how bad Texas A&M has been on the defensive glass. The Aggies are allowing teams to earn 33.7% offensive rebounds.
The Aggies are also earning 23.8% turnovers and that’s where Wake Forest can absolutely get buried. The Demon Deacons are turning the ball over at a high rate while Texas A&M is forcing them at a high clip. This could allow for Texas A&M to get a bunch of buckets.
Plus, the Aggies are connected on the defensive end, giving up just 31.5% from deep and 47.8% from inside the arc.
Prediction: Texas A&M -2.5 (-110)
Over/Under analysis
Between Wake Forest and Texas A&M, there will be many fouls called. Both teams get to the line at a very high rate and with Texas A&M playing such an aggressive defense, it’s reasonable to believe that we’ll see about 20% of points scored coming from the foul line.
The Demon Deacons are also shooting an effective field goal percentage of 56% and could end up with more offensive rebounds than their average.
Meanwhile, Texas A&M isn’t the best at the line but should earn quick, transition buckets with traps and aggressive defense against Wake Forest. Offensive rebounds are also never a problem for the Aggies.
Prediction: Over 146.5 (-110)
Best bet
Personally, I’m not hopping off the Texas A&M train. This team has been streaky all year with massive win streaks and massive losing streaks. However, recently, Texas A&M has been winning and winning a lot.
Wake Forest doesn’t protect the ball all that well and Texas A&M can pull out all the tricks to force the Demon Deacons into some mistakes and turnovers.
The Demon Deacons shoot at a high percentage but it won’t matter if the attempts aren’t there due to turnovers.
Pick: Texas A&M -2.5 (-110)
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