Florida vs Texas A&M Basketball Prediction & Picks: Will the Aggies remain perfect in SEC play?

Two weeks ago, Texas A&M opened SEC play with a close road win over Florida.

Tonight, the Aggies (12-5, 4-0 SEC) will look to move to 5-0 in conference action as the Gators (10-7, 3-2 SEC) have a rematch at Reed Arena in College Station (7:00 pm ET/6:00 pm local time, SEC Network).

In the first matchup, Wade Taylor IV’s basket in the final minute broke a 63-all tie as the Aggies got the victory in Gainesville.

Since then, A&M has picked up wins over LSU, Missouri, and South Carolina, and they and #4 Alabama (16-2, 6-0 SEC) are the only two teams in the conference yet to lose.

That loss was the Gators’ second straight to open their SEC slate, but they have not lost since, picking up wins over Georgia, LSU, and Missouri.

Which team will pick up the win in the rematch? Read on for our Florida vs Texas A&M prediction, as well as our picks and betting analysis for tonight’s clash in College Station.

Florida vs Texas A&M Odds

Odds are via BetOnline as of Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at 10:45 am ET. This article may also include odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites.

Spread

• Florida +4.5 (-118)
• Texas A&M -4.5 (-104)

Over/Under

• Over 137.5 (-110)
• Under 137.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Florida +150
• Texas A&M -182

Will Texas A&M Ride Another Fast Start to a Season Sweep of Florida?

When the Aggies and Gators met two weeks ago, Texas A&M jumped out to an 11-point lead at halftime, and they made that hot half hold up despite a second-half rally by Florida.

Fast starts have been a feature of each of A&M’s SEC wins.

• at Florida (won 66-63): led 34-23 at halftime
• vs LSU (won 69-56): led 34-23 at halftime
• vs Missouri (won 82-64): led 43-25 at halftime
• at South Carolina (won 94-53): led 50-18 at halftime

Where Texas A&M has been a strong in the first half, Florida has been strong in the second half in its win streak.

• vs Texas A&M (lost 66-63): outscored Aggies 40-32 in the second half
• vs Georgia (won 82-75): outscored Bulldogs 43-41 in the second half
• at LSU (won 67-56): outscored Tigers 42-28 in the second half
• vs Missouri (won 73-64): outscored Tigers 45-36 in the second half

On Saturday against Mizzou, the two teams were tied at halftime, but perimeter shooting helped UF pull out the win.

The Tigers went into the game shooting 36.1% from three, but they were only 3 of 18 (16.7%) from outside against the Gators, including 2 of 9 (22.2%) in the second half.

The Gators, meanwhile, connected on 10 of 23 (43.5%) from three, including 6 of 13 (46.2%) in the second half.

First and Second Half Offensive Splits for Florida (SEC Games Only)

• First Half: 48 of 128 (37.5%) FG, 13 of 57 (22.8%) 3PT
• Second Half: 64 of 123 (52.0%) FG, 19 of 51 (37.3%) 3PT

Florida vs Texas A&M Prediction and Picks

Florida vs Texas A&M Prediction: Texas A&M to win

Florida vs Texas A&M Picks: Texas A&M first half -1.5 (Best Value: BetOnline) & Florida/Texas A&M second half over 72.5 (Bovada Sportsbook)

The Gators have done well to get things back on track after an 0-2 SEC start, but I’m backing the Aggies to start strong again and ride that strong start to a fifth straight win and a regular season sweep of UF.

I am leaning towards backing the over in this matchup, but I see better total value elsewhere on the board.

Instead of taking the over for the full game, I am going with the over for the second half total, given that the second half has been the highest-scoring half in every SEC game for both the Aggies and Gators.

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