Savannah State @ Texas A&M preview

Savannah State at Texas A&M

No. 10 Texas A&M takes on a second straight overmatched opponent when it hosts Savannah State on Wednesday. It’s the second of four straight home games for the Aggies leading into SEC play.

Texas A&M has faced four Power Five foes already, beating West Virginia, Oklahoma State, and USC while losing to Arizona (67-64). The Aggies bounced back from their lone defeat to rout Prairie View A&M 75-53 on Saturday, and they should have an easy time again on Wednesday. The Tigers have recorded only one win against an NCAA Division I opponent thus far – a 101-97 triumph over winless Alabama State. The Aggies won the only previous meeting 67-34 in 2005.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, SEC Network Plus

ABOUT SAVANNAH STATE (3-8): The Tigers aren’t afraid to push the pace, as evidenced by the fact they score 83.2 points per game but give up 95.1. Lanky guards Dexter McClanahan (13.6 points) and Alante Fenner (12.2) are the team’s only double-digit scorers, but six players average at least 7.8 points. Javaris Jenkins (7.8 points) had the hot hand with 31 points in Saturday’s 102-91 loss at Georgia Southern.

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (8-1): The Aggies are one of the toughest defensive teams in the nation, holding opponents to 36.2 percent shooting, but they also have plenty of offensive prowess. Four starters average double digits in points, and the fifth is power forward Robert Williams, who averages eight while leading the team in rebounds (10.4) and blocks (2.4). Center Tyler Davis (13.8 points, seven rebounds) and swingman D.J. Hogg (15.4, 7.1) combine with Williams to give the Aggies one of the country’s best frontcourts.

TIP-INS

1. Texas A&M has won 109 of its last 129 home games against unranked opponents.

2. The Aggies hold opponents to 23.3 percent from 3-point range – the second-best mark in the nation – while the Tigers average 39.5 attempts from beyond the arc.

3. Savannah State is playing its fourth road game against a team either currently ranked in the top 25 or receiving votes.

PREDICTION: Texas A&M 103, Savannah State 77