Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma
Thursday, 7:35 p.m. ET, TBS
Line: Oklahoma -2.5 Total: 147
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Trends: Oklahoma 27-7 SU, 12-20 ATS, 15-17 O/U. Texas A&M 28-8 SU, 15-13-3 ATS, 14-17 O/U.
KenPom efficiency ratings: Oklahoma 7 (overall), 14 (offense), 18 (defense). Texas A&M 17, 33, 13
Effective FG percentage: Oklahoma 54.7, Texas A&M 51.6 EFG% against: Oklahoma 46.7, Texas A&M 47.1
What's to like about Oklahoma — Buddy Hield, his shooting, and the team's shooting as a whole. The Sooners shoot 42.5 percent from 3, second-best in the country. They also play strong interior defense, ranking in the top 50 nationally in both 2-point defense and block percentage.
What's not to like about Oklahoma — If it isn't knocking down shots, this could be a long day for Oklahoma. The Sooners also don't grind it out much in the paint, ranking in the bottom third nationally in free throw rate, but top 20 in preventing opponent's from getting to the line.
Sweet 16 picks: UVA-ISU | UNC-IU | Wisc-ND | Miami-Nova | Duke-Oregon | Mary-KU
What's to like about Texas A&M — The Aggies are big and aggressive down low, getting major production from three bigs. They play strong interior defense, as well. But my favorite thing about A&M is its pressure defense, which allowed the Aggies to erase a 12-point deficit with 36 seconds to play against Northern Iowa without fouling once. Oklahoma can be a little susceptible to turning the ball over.
What's not to like about Texas A&M — A&M can go stretches without scoring, and doesn't shoot 3's and free throws particularly well.
Analysis: Public bettors are all over Oklahoma and Hield, for good reason. When they're hot, they're tough to beat. But VCU gave the Sooners a scare and Texas A&M's defense should do well to keep Oklahoma in check. We'll back the Aggies, hoping to get +3 with so much public money backing Oklahoma. That number has already popped up at some books.
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