Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Texas A&m Aggies Picks and Predictions December 8th 2024

Texas A&M: Strong Defense and Balanced Play

The No. 22 Texas A&M Aggies (7-2) have been a defensive powerhouse this season. Their latest victory, a 57-44 win over Wake Forest in the SEC/ACC Challenge, highlighted their ability to shut down opponents. The Aggies held Wake Forest to just 29.8% shooting, including a dominant defensive effort in the final nine minutes of the game.

Key Players for Texas A&M

• Wade Taylor IV: The star guard leads the Aggies offensively, scoring 15 points in the win against Wake Forest. His leadership will be critical against Texas Tech’s physical defense.
• Henry Coleman III and Pharrel Payne: Both players contribute inside presence and are key to A&M’s rebounding and scoring in the paint.
• Andersson Garcia: Coming off a season-high 16-rebound performance, Garcia anchors the Aggies on the boards.

Coach Buzz Williams acknowledged the team’s offensive struggles against Wake Forest, particularly with turnovers, but praised the defensive effort.

“Statistically speaking, this is the best game we’ve ever had here defensively,” Williams said.

The Aggies will need to maintain their defensive intensity while cutting down on turnovers to secure a win against Texas Tech.

Texas Tech: Rising Through Adversity

Texas Tech (7-1) is off to a solid start under coach Grant McCasland. The Red Raiders have shown resilience, including in their latest 76-62 win over DePaul in the Big 12-Big East Battle. Tech dominated the second half defensively, holding DePaul to just 35.7% shooting and 2-of-14 from beyond the arc.

Key Players for Texas Tech

• Chance McMillian: Scored a season-high 22 points against DePaul and has been a consistent offensive weapon for the Red Raiders.
• Darrion Williams: Averaging 20 points over the last three games, Williams has stepped up in the absence of leading scorer JT Toppin.
• JT Toppin: The Red Raiders’ top scorer (18.6 ppg) and rebounder (11.0 rpg) is questionable for Sunday’s game due to a lower-body injury.

Coach McCasland praised his team’s defensive effort, especially in the second half against DePaul.

“Our perimeter defense was the difference,” McCasland said.

The Red Raiders will need another strong defensive effort and contributions from their depth to compete with a ranked opponent.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Wade Taylor IV vs. Chance McMillian: Both guards are the engines of their respective offenses and could dictate the pace of the game.
• Henry Coleman III vs. Texas Tech’s Frontcourt: Coleman’s physicality in the paint will test Texas Tech’s ability to defend without JT Toppin, if he remains sidelined.
• Defensive Execution: Both teams rely heavily on defense to win games. Whichever team can force more turnovers and limit open looks will likely come out on top.

What’s at Stake?

• For Texas A&M: A win would further solidify their standing in the AP Top 25 and give them a quality win against a strong Texas Tech team.
• For Texas Tech: Beating a ranked team for the first time this season would be a significant confidence booster and bolster their nonconference resume.

Who will claim the title? Find out in College Basketball Championship Odds!

Prediction

This game is poised to be a defensive battle, with both teams excelling at forcing turnovers and limiting opponents’ scoring opportunities. Texas A&M’s experience and depth give them a slight edge, but Texas Tech’s defensive tenacity and home-state pride could make this a close contest.

Final Score Prediction: Texas A&M 67, Texas Tech 62