


CBB
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Understanding Public and Money
If this game got any higher than -150 on the moneyline and I would look at the point spread. Texas A&M looked sharp in the first round, while Michigan was pushed to the brink by UC San Diego. Dusty May is one of the best in the business, but I expect Buzz Williams and the Aggies to advance to the Sweet 16 on Saturday.
At some point, Michigan's turnover issues will likely send them home and it could be Saturday against Texas A&M. The Wolverines rank 329th in turnover percentage and that plays into the hands of A&M's ball pressure defense. The Aggies are also one of the few teams that can negate Michigan's size on the boards. A&M is the top offensive rebounding team in the country. This is just a bad matchup for Michigan. The Big Ten team that plays a physical style like A&M is Michigan State and they beat the Wolverines by 13 and 17 this season. I do worry about free throws in a close game. The Aggies shoot just 69 percent from the line, but overall this is a good matchup for A&M.
I still don't buy Michigan even on his little four-game run they are on. They turn the ball over way too much, are prone to scoring lags and their backcourt is pretty hit or miss. Athletic teams like the Aggies will present problems and they will be up for the challenge of the Wolverines' two big men. This is usually right around where Big 10 teams hit a wall and all the extra hoop MICH played running to a conference tourney title might not help them much here. I think A&M will be a real problem for any top seed. Battle tested. Aggies will likely cover here (14-7-1 ATS after a win), but I'm playing it a little safer. Turnovers will doom MICH.