Texas A&M vs. Xavier 3/31/22 - College Basketball Picks & Predictions

Last Updated: 03/30/2022 at 9:17 AM ET

On Thursday, the Xavier Musketeers play the Texas A&M Aggies in the championship game of the NIT at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Xavier defeated Saint Bonaventure on Tuesday in their semifinals matchup 84-77. Adam Kunkel, Jack Nunge and Zach Freemantle scored 18 points apiece for the Musketeers. Xavier has defeated Cleveland State, Florida, Vanderbilt and St. Bonaventure to reach the fitle game of the NIT.

Jack Nunge is the leading scorer for Xavier with an average of 13.3 points per game, while Paul Scruggs is the second leading scorer and the leader in assists with averages of 11.7 points and 4.1 assists per game. Colby Jones is the leading rebounder with an average of 7.4 rebounds per game. Xavier has five players averaging in double-figures in scoring and as a team is scoring an average of 73.9 points per game.

Texas A&M reached the championship game of the NIT with a 72-56 victory over Washington State on Tuesday in their semifinals matchup. Texas A&M was led by Quenton Jackson with 18 points. The Aggies shot 48.5% overall and held Washington State to just 34.5% shooting. Texas A&M committed only eight turnovers while forcing the Cougars to turn the ball over 17 times. Texas A&M reached the championship game of the NIT with victories over Alcorn State, Oregon, Wake Forest and Washington State.

Quenton Jackson is the reading scorer for Texas A&M with an average of 14.5 points per game, while Tyrece Radford is the leading rebounder with an average of 6.2 rebounds per game and Wade Taylor IV is the leader in assists with an average of 2.2 assists per game. Henry Coleman III is the second leading scorer with an average of 11.0 points per game and one of three players for Texas A&M averaging double-figures in scoring. The Aggies are scoring an average of 72.8 points per game.

Texas A&M has played exceptionally well since the end of the regular season. The Aggies have covered the number in six of the last eight. Texas A&M is holding opponents to an average of only 66.7 points per game and during four games in the NIT, the Aggies are holding opponents to an average of only 57.5 points per game. In contrast, Xavier has failed to cover the number in eight of its last 11 and has failed to cover the nut in seven of the last nine when playing against an opponent with a winning record straight up. Final Score Prediction, Texas A&M Aggies win and cover ATS 72-63.

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