Texas A&M (20-5) at Mississippi State (18-7)
- When: Feb 18 2025, 7:00 PM
- Where: Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville, MS, USA
- Where to watch: SEC Network
Game Preview
Mississippi State is favored by 2.0 | Total: 143.5
Two top-25 SEC squads square off in a high-stakes battle Tuesday night as No. 7 Texas A&M visits No. 21 Mississippi State in Starkville. The Aggies have been red hot, winning five straight, while the Bulldogs look to build momentum after a crucial rivalry victory over Ole Miss. With both teams vying for strong positioning in the conference and NCAA Tournament brackets, this matchup has major implications for postseason seeding.
Texas A&M Aggies Betting Outlook
Record: 20-5 (9-3 SEC)
ATS Record: 14-9-1
The Aggies come into this game riding a wave of success, securing their fifth straight victory with a 69-61 home win over Arkansas on Saturday. Texas A&M struggled offensively in the early going but relied on its defensive intensity to stay in control. Wade Taylor IV once again led the charge, posting 18 points, while Zhuric Phelps added 12 points and nine rebounds.
Defense has been the key to Texas A&M’s success. The Aggies held Arkansas to 41.7% shooting and forced 17 turnovers in their last outing. With their physicality and ability to disrupt opposing offenses, they’ll be looking to make life difficult for Mississippi State’s guards.
Andersson Garcia has been a huge asset, particularly in crunch time. Against Arkansas, he played a pivotal role in Texas A&M’s late 9-0 run, showcasing his court vision and ability to make clutch plays. The Aggies have also been recognized nationally, earning a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament committee’s early bracket reveal. However, with four ranked opponents left on their schedule—including matchups with No. 5 Tennessee and No. 1 Auburn—this game is a must-win to maintain their top seeding aspirations.
Key Betting Trends:
Texas A&M is 4-1 ATS in its last five games.
The Aggies have covered in three straight road games.
The under has hit in six of their last eight games.
Mississippi State Bulldogs Betting Outlook
Record: 18-7 (6-6 SEC)
ATS Record: 13-10
Mississippi State comes into this contest with renewed confidence after sweeping rival Ole Miss with an 81-71 victory on the road. RJ Melendez led the Bulldogs with 17 points, while Josh Hubbard, Riley Kugel, and Claudell Harris Jr. all contributed double-digit scoring performances. More importantly, Mississippi State’s defense stepped up, holding Ole Miss to just 38.3% shooting and winning the rebounding battle 40-30.
Consistency has been a struggle for the Bulldogs, but when they play with defensive intensity, they are a tough matchup for anyone. They’ve been criticized for inconsistent play on that end, but Saturday’s effort was a step in the right direction.
Mississippi State’s schedule lightens up after this game, with only one remaining ranked opponent—No. 2 Alabama on February 25. That makes this contest a huge opportunity for them to gain some separation in the SEC standings and build a strong case for NCAA Tournament seeding.
Key Betting Trends:
Mississippi State is 3-1 ATS in its last four home games.
The Bulldogs have gone over the total in four of their last six games.
They are 5-2 straight up at home in SEC play.
Betting Predictions and Picks
Score Prediction: Mississippi State 71, Texas A&M 68
Both teams have defensive prowess, but Mississippi State’s rebounding advantage could be the difference in a close contest. The Aggies have been impressive on the road, but the Bulldogs’ physicality inside and their ability to get second-chance opportunities may tilt the scales.
Best Bets:
Mississippi State -2.0: The Bulldogs are strong at home, and their defense looked locked in against Ole Miss. Texas A&M has been solid but might struggle to match the Bulldogs’ intensity in the paint.
Under 143.5: Both teams rank in the top 50 defensively, and neither plays at a particularly fast pace. This game should be a grind, keeping the score under the total.
Josh Hubbard Over 14.5 Points: With his scoring consistency, Hubbard should be a primary offensive weapon for Mississippi State, especially if Texas A&M prioritizes stopping Melendez.
This SEC battle has all the makings of a defensive struggle, with Mississippi State’s ability to control the boards being the deciding factor. Expect a hard-fought contest with the Bulldogs edging out a close victory at home.
- NCAAB Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
