Xavier vs Texas A&M: NIT Championship Predictions and Betting Preview
Sportsmemo handicapper JM Sports gives his Xavier vs Texas A&M predictions and betting preview for the NIT Championship on Thursday, March 31. At the time of posting, the Aggies are favored by 4.5-points against the Musketeers with the total sitting at 137.5 points.
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Thursday, March 31 | NIT Championship Betting Notes |
---|---|
Point Spread: | Xavier Musketeers +4.5 vs Texas A&M Aggies |
Total: | 137.5 Points |
Game Time: | 7:00pm ET / 4:00pm PT |
Arena: | Madison Square Garden in New York, NY |
TV: | ESPN |
Xavier vs Texas A&M Analysis
Last time Xavier made it to the March Madness tournament they secured a #1 seed in 2018, while they ended up losing in the 2nd round, this year, Xavier will be competing for a championship title, even if it is in the NIT tournament.
That 2018 season was also the last time that Texas A&M found themselves in the big dance, while they were a #7 seed, they progressed farther than Xavier did.
Now this Championship game pits these two teams against each other, with Texas A&M looking to prove that they deserved an invite to the big dance this season.
Texas A&M dominated their semi-finals game, en route to an 8th win in the last 9 games overall, while Xavier found a way to get the win and secure their 4th straight win as they now head to Madison Square Garden to take on the Aggies of A&M.
Musketeers Making Most Without Scruggs
Xavier answered the questions on what they were going to do without one of their top players in Paul Scruggs.
They were able to share the love against the Bonnies in the semi-finals game, with five guys scoring in double digits and just one player losing more then two TO’s. If you read my article on Xavier and St. Bonaventure, I mentioned that Jack Nunge could be the difference maker, and he definitely showed up.
Nunge played just 20 minutes, but he went 7-9 from the field and racked up 18 points and 8 boards in those 20 minutes, leading the team in both categories!
Kunkle was on the court for the entirety of the game and he added his contribution in the form of 18 points, tying Nunge for the team lead. Freemantle also added a big contribution, playing 22 minutes coming off the bench but shooting 8-10 and also contribution 18 points and 6 boards, adding extra depth off the bench.
Jones and Johnson also added double-digit points to the box scores en route to the 84-77 win over St. Bonaventure. Xavier comes in as one of the tallest teams in the nation and will again look to utilize that against an undersized Aggies team.
The Musketeers have shot 52.9% or better in back-to-back games now, and they are 8-2 this season after scoring 75+ points in consecutive outings.
Although, two of their big issues have come against top-caliber defensive units, going just 2-8 against teams that allow <= 42% shooting on the season, and they have struggled with extended rest as they are just 2-11 straight up this season when playing just their 2nd game in a week in the last 2 years.
Aggies Rely on Aggressive Defense
Texas A&M has played this tournament with a chip on their shoulder after being snubbed from March Madness, and they have looked like a team that could have been competing in the big dance, especially in their last outing against Washington State.
Texas A&M shot just 14.3% from 3PT range in the game against the Cougars but they still managed to win by 16 points.
They forced 17 TO’s and lost just eight themselves, most of their scoring came from three players, but the defensive effort eliminated most of the pressure on the offensive side of the ball.
Their defense has now allowed less than 37% shooting to the opposition in three straight games, bringing their record to 8-1 in the last nine, ending the season on their hottest run of the year. Xavier is just 4-7 against defensive units that rank in KenPom’s top-50, and this A&M defense is one of the best in the country in forcing TO’s, preventing 3PT shots, and forcing steals.
Texas A&M has benefited from the extra rest as they are 7-2 when playing just their 2nd game in 8 days this season, they are also 10-3 in March under HC Williams.
Yet most importantly, they are 12-3 against poor pressure defenses, teams that forced 14 or less TO’s per game this year!
Xavier vs Texas A&M Prediction
Can Texas A&M win the NIT Championship in the year everyone thought they got snubbed? Can Xavier pull off a Championship without the likes of one of their best players for the last 2 games of the tournament?
Xavier’s sizes advantage could do a lot, but the high caliber defense for Texas A&M may just be too much to handle for the Musketeers.
A little school from the outside of Cincinnati, Ohio, with height bigger than their enrollment taking on an SEC powerhouse.
Prediction: Texas A&M Aggies -4.5
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Xavier vs Texas A&M GoldSheet Preview
College Basketball Stat Sheet
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