The Texas A&M Aggies host the LSU Tigers today at 4:00 p.m. ET in an SEC college basketball showdown. LSU has gone 12-1 in its first 13 games while Texas A&M is 10-3 this season. The Tigers hold a 22-20 all-time series lead over the Aggies, but Texas A&M has won the previous three meetings.
Texas A&M is a -5.5-point favorite with LSU being +215 to win this game outright on DraftKings Sportsbook. Here is my best bet and preview for LSU vs. Texas A&M.
LSU vs. Texas A&M (4:00 p.m. ET)
This season, LSU hasn’t had the most challenging schedule, but it has only one loss, against No. 15 Texas Tech. Since their last loss, the Tigers have won four consecutive games, with their most recent one coming against Southern Miss on December 29. LSU’s best player, Dedan Thomas Jr., is their leading scorer, averaging 16.2 points and 7.1 assists (eighth most in CBB) per game. Mike Nwoko and Marquel Sutton create an elite frontcourt as Nwoko averages 16.1 points and 5.5 rebounds, while Sutton records 14.2 points and 9.6 rebounds.
Texas A&M has suffered three losses this season against Oklahoma State, UCF, and SMU. They have won three straight games since their previous defeat, but this is their first matchup against a high-major opponent in nearly a month. Ruben Dominguez is their leading scorer and one of five Aggies scoring in double digits per game. Four of Texas A&M’s top six scorers are guards.
On KenPom, LSU is No. 38 while Texas A&M is ranked 50th. The Aggies have the 52nd-best offensive rating while having the 68th-best defensive rating. LSU has a big gap between its offense and defense, as its offensive rating is 22nd and its defensive rating is 72nd.
Since Texas A&M has struggled against tougher competition, it is surprising to see the line favoring Texas A&M by 5.5 points. LSU has the guards to keep up with Texas A&M, and a frontcourt that should be able to take advantage. Although the Aggies average more points per game, they have scored 81 or fewer points in four of their five matchups this season against teams from the ACC or Big 12. I’m taking LSU to cover the +5.5 spread in this contest, as Texas A&M has been too inconsistent in big matchups.
