Texas A&M vs Rutgers Picks and Prediction – 11/30/2024

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Texas A&M Aggies, both 5-2 on the season, face off at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Rutgers aims to rebound from a high-scoring 95-90 loss to Alabama, while Texas A&M comes off a 77-73 win over Creighton. Slam dunk your bets with our College Basketball picks.

Texas A&M has relied heavily on Zhuric Phelps, who leads the team with 15.2 points per game, complemented by his 38.1% shooting. The Aggies average 77.3 points while shooting 41.9% from the field, leaning on strong rebounding at 45.1 per game. Wade Taylor IV has been pivotal with 4.6 assists, helping an offense that consistently finds high-percentage shots. However, 13 turnovers per game remain a concern against teams with aggressive defenses.

Defensively, Texas A&M allows 65.9 points per game, making them a formidable unit. Henry Coleman III anchors the paint with 7.0 rebounds per game, providing second-chance opportunities while limiting the opposition's inside scoring. The Aggies have also benefited from Pharrel Payne's shot-blocking ability, averaging 1.3 blocks per game, which disrupts rhythm on drives and post-ups.

Rutgers’ offense is spearheaded by Dylan Harper, an offensive juggernaut averaging 24.6 points on 55.0% shooting. His ability to create shots and draw defenders makes Rutgers a high-scoring team at 82.0 points per game, shooting an efficient 46.5%. Harper also leads the team in assists at 4.9 per game, ensuring balanced scoring. Jordan Derkack’s 5.3 rebounds bolster the Scarlet Knights' second-chance efforts, though a rebounding deficit against teams like Texas A&M could pose challenges.

Defensively, Rutgers struggles, allowing 74.1 points per game. While they excel in steals at 8.1 per game, rim protection remains limited, with just 3.6 blocks per game. Lathan Sommerville’s 1.3 blocks are the lone defensive highlight in a system that sometimes struggles to contain well-rounded offenses.

The Aggies' disciplined defense and rebounding edge should give them control against Rutgers’ dynamic offense. Expect Texas A&M to exploit Rutgers' defensive weaknesses while containing Harper just enough to secure the win. Final Score Prediction: Texas A&M Aggies win and cover 80-72.