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Sometimes you want to make a quick pit stop, empty the bladder, grab a bag of salty snacks and limber up the limbs before hitting the open road again. For the fast-minded who enjoy simple $2 scratchers hoping to uncover the jackpot-winning image, here are quick thoughts and the lean on Auburn vs. Texas A&M.
No. 1 Auburn (27-2, 15-1) at No. 22 Texas A&M (20-9, 9-7)
Date: Tuesday, March 4
Time: 9 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Last I checked, scoring the rock is kinda fundamental to basketball.
Despite its No. 3 seed projection on the latest Bracket Big Board, Texas A&M is flunking the 101-level course. Heck, this former Atmospheric Science major recorded more academic success in Calc III.
Yes, “success” applies loosely.
The Aggies, who rank No. 337 in effective field goal percentage offense since February 1, would struggle throwing a golf ball through a hula hoop from two feet. Over that eight-game span, they’re netting an upchuck-worthy 46.5% on 2-pointers and 30.5% on 3s. Still, they compete and do so valiantly.
[ Bracket Big Board: Brad Evans' latest NCAA Tournament projections ]
Defense, rebounding and additional opportunities explain why A&M is en route to a high, single-digit NCAA Tournament seed. Over the last month, it has given up a mere 0.956 points per possession and grabbed a second chance on 36.8% of its possessions. Really, the Aggies are similar in style and substance to fellow Lone Star State representative Houston.
Losers in four straight games, Buzz Williams' bunch is aiming to snap out of its funk against top-ranked Auburn.
The pick — Texas A&M +5.5 (-110, BetMGM)
War Eagle is insanely hot — like Sydney Sweeney popping raw ghost peppers on the surface of the sun HOT.
When you have arguably the nation’s best player (Johni Broome) and a spectacular surrounding cast that possesses length, athleticism and a gumption for winning, it’s easy to grasp why Auburn is chalk to hoist the hardware as “One Shining Moment” blares in the background.
Bruce Pearl’s ferocious cats are No. 2 over the last 30 days in overall efficiency, according to BartTorvik. During the stretch, they’re top-70 in effective field goal percentage offense and effective field goal percentage defense. Converting 3s at an excellent 35.4% clip and pounding the interior with 56.6% shooting on 2s, the Tigers swipe sharpened claws virtually everywhere.
The 6-foot-10, 240-pound Broome has registered 17 double-doubles. Miles Kelly, Denver Jones, Chad Baker-Mazara and Tahaad Pettiford have each swished at least 37% along the arc.
The on-paper matchup is certainly intimidating, but the Goliath isn’t without weaknesses. Shockingly, Auburn ranks No. 218 in defensive rebounding in its last 10 games. Against TAMU’s ceaseless glass waxers, second and third chances could inflict wounds.
With a share of the SEC regular-season title clinched, a No. 1 NCAA Tournament seed locked up and a matchup against archrival Alabama next on Saturday, the Tigers are in a prime letdown spot.
Looking to get right, Gig ‘Em somehow generates enough buckets to keep it close.
Don’t bomb your home finale, Aggies.
Season record: 24-23, +0.42 units