Valparaiso at Texas A&M 12/19/18 - NCAAB Picks & Predictions

Texas A&M seems to be turning the corner after stumbling out of the gate this season. A&M has won its last three after losing four in a row to start the season. We may see if that turn around is real Friday when the Aggies host Valparaiso. The Valparaiso Crusaders are 6-5, and with one exception have rotated wins and losses this season. They lost their last game, so are due to win.

Both teams have had their share of close ones this year. Valparaiso is 3-1 in games decided by five or fewer points, and A&M is 1-3 in that situation. The Crusaders are 2-1 on the road and A&M is 3-1 at home. The Aggies are led by TJ Sparks at 13.9 points per game and 4.5 assists. Savion Flagg is averaging 13.6 points and 7.4 rebounds. The Aggies don't shoot a lot of three-pointers, having made just 45 this season, and only two players with more than 10. The Aggies are shooting 26 percent from that range and shooting 43 percent inside the arc. The Aggies average eight steals per game and 15 turnovers.

The Crusaders have four players in double figures. Derrick Smits is averaging 13.4 points and 7.1 rebounds. Ryan Fazekas is averaging 13.2. Bakari Evelyn and Markus Golder are both at 10 points per game. Fazekas has made 28 of the team's 77 three-pointers and is shooting 41 percent from there. The team is shooting 33 percent from three-point land and 47 inside.