Battle of the Lone-Star State – #1 Texas vs. Texas A&M

Saturday, January 16: 6:00 p.m.

College basketball’s top ranked team will be back in action, and back at home Saturday evening, when the undefeated Texas Longhorns host the Texas A&M Aggies.

For Longhorns fans, it’s been a great winter so far, as their team is far and away the best in college basketball. They are currently one of the NCAA’s highest scoring offenses, averaging 88 points per game, while also one of its best defensive teams, holding opponents to just 36 percent field goal shooting.

Here are some NCAA Basketball Betting Trends which may impact this game:

• Texas A&M: 4-2 ATS on the road
• Texas A&M: 3-2 ATS as an underdog
• Texas: 0-3 ATS in their last 3 games
• Texas: Total has gone OVER in their last 3 games

Their greatest strength is their strength, with workhorses Dexter Pittman and Damion James down low. Both are oozing with NBA potential, and are a matchup nightmare in the college game. They combine to average over 30 points and 18 rebounds per game.

In the backcourt, the Longhorns have one of the fastest developing guards in America leading their attack, freshman Avery Bradley. Bradley isn’t your prototypical point guard, and doesn’t always handle the ball, although he does average close to three assists per game. It’s his scoring that has really come on of late however, as he’s had his first 20+ point games in his last two games, with 29 against Colorado and followed up Wednesday with 24 against Iowa State.

On the other side of the court will be a Texas A&M team which is back on the road, after getting embarrassed at Kansas State Tuesday evening. In that game, the Aggies defense was nothing short of mortifying, as they allowed K-State to shoot a staggering 47.5 percent from the field.

Offensively, things go through Donald Sloan who emerged last year as a starter and is this team’s superstar in 2010. He is averaging 17 points per game, but is coming off maybe his worst game of 2010, being held to eight points at Kansas State. Guard Derrick Roland this team’s second leading scorer has been out since right around the New Year because of a broken leg. He won’t return to action in 2010.

In this game it’s hard not to like the No. 1 team in the land. Texas’ greatest attribute is their depth, as they can run player after player at you, and wear you down by the end of the game. That’s exactly what they did against Iowa State Wednesday, outscoring the Cyclones 48-39 in the second half. Expect them to do the same Saturday.

There’s a reason the Longhorns are No. 1 in the country, they’re that good. Look for them improve to 17-0, against one of their most hated rivals Saturday. Take Texas in this weekend’s college basketball betting odds.

Aaron’s Pick: Texas by 12