Seen on:
as known from New York Timesas known from USA Todayas known from yahoo!
VA
The Grueling Truth - Where Legends Speak / Betting Tips / NCAA First Round Penn State vs Texas A&M Odds, Tips and Predictions 03/16/23

NCAA First Round Penn State vs Texas A&M Odds, Tips and Predictions 03/16/23

Basketball Betting Tips · 03/16/2023 - 9:55 pm · Des Moines,Ia

Publish Date: 03/16/2023
Fact checked by: Simon Briffa

DraftKings
DraftKings
4.6/5
Prediction: Bet Penn State to cover
  • Over/Under: Penn State vs Texas A&M (134.5)
  • Spread: Penn State +3
  • Pick: Bet Penn State to cover
New Customers: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets INSTANTLY!
Open DraftKings

Game preview Penn State vs Texas A&M

After losing in their conference championship games, Penn State and Texas A&M meet in Des Moines, Iowa for a first-round matchup. Both teams have played well as of late.

Before the Big Ten Tournament began, the Nittany Lions were on the edge and one of the final teams out. But they battled their way in by defeating Illinois, Northwestern and Indiana before falling by two in the final. Led by Jalen Pickett’s elite jump-shooting, these Nittany Lions will be tough opponents throughout this tournament.

Texas A&M managed to finish second in the SEC despite not having an outstanding jump-shooting team and ranking outside of the top 30 for both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency.

This season, the Aggies enjoyed a relatively easy schedule. But will that come back to haunt them in the NCAA tournament?

The Aggies need to shoot the ball well

Texas A&M boasts a distinctive offense compared to most of its counterparts around the country.

The Aggies aren’t particularly strong jump shooters, ranking seventh in the SEC for effective field goal percentage, ninth for 3-point field goal percentage and sixth for 2-point field goal percentage.

Texas A&M makes free throws at the third highest rate in the country, shooting 77% when they get there. According to KenPom, they rely on this area for 26.2% of their points – which is the second highest among all schools.

The Aggies rank top 10 in offensive rebounding percentage, giving them plenty of second-chance opportunities. Unfortunately, Penn State is unbeatable when it comes to both defensive categories.

Texas A&M ranks 37th in adjusted defensive efficiency but has the advantage of playing in one of the worst offensive conferences in America, the SEC. This season, their 3-point field goal percentage was dead last among college basketball teams nationwide.

Texas A&M University allows just 32.3% from deep, ranking them 352nd in 3-point rate allowed and 212th for open 3-pointers allowed, according to ShotQuality data.

 

Jaylen Pickett is the best guard in the country

Penn State is one of the odd teams in college basketball when it comes to offense.

Penn State does an admirable job keeping possession of the ball, ranking seventh nationally in turnover percentage allowed. They are ninth in effective field goal percentage and 14th overall according to KenPom’s calculations, yet possess only the second-lowest offensive rebounding percentage and third-lowest free-throw rate among all NCAA programs.

That puts the Nittany Lions’ offense in a precarious position, needing not only high-quality shots but making them as well. Unfortunately, their shot selection ranks 334th according to ShotQuality.

Penn State is a top-10 shot-making team, but when they don’t get high-quality shots they often lack second-chance opportunities. But when a squad hits shots like Penn State does at 38.5% from beyond the arc there’s potential for an offensive explosion to unfold.

Penn State’s defense had a difficult season this season, ranking 11th in adjusted defensive efficiency within the Big Ten. It had difficulty stopping high-scoring teams and was one of the worst teams at forcing turnovers nationally.

The good news? Teams don’t need to be unbeatable in these two areas when taking on Texas A&M.

To stop Texas A&M, the two things they must do well prevent offensive rebounds and keep the Aggies from getting to the free-throw line. Penn State ranks top 45 nationally in both of these categories.

The Nittany Lions defend the rim at an impressive rate, which will be another key factor in their win against the Aggies.

Penn State vs Texas A&M Head-to-Head this season

These teams have no prior games from this season.

Our Betting Pick for Today – Bet the Nittany Lions +3

Penn State should be able to pull this out behind their shooting. Jaylen Pickett is in line for a monster game, if the Nittany Lions hit over 43 per cent of their shots they win this game. I am taking the Nittany Lions +3 in what I think will be a close game.

Tip:
Penn State to cover
Best Odd
+3
Brand
FanDuel
Max. Bonus
Bet Now
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG-help.com. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. Gambling HelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) To claim, new users need to register, make a first-time deposit of $5 or more, and then simply place their first real-money wager on any FanDuel Sportsbook market (no odds limits) that is live on platform. All users will receive their $150 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins within 72 hours of the bet settlement.
Read Also
Boxing Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios: Odds, Tips and Predictions 07-19-25
Here’s your detailed betting preview for Mario Barrios vs. Manny Pacquiao, set ...
Boxing Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois 2: Odds, Tips and Predictions 07-19-25
  Here’s your detailed betting preview for Usyk vs. Dubois II, happening ...
Bet365 Promo
MLB All-Star Game American League vs National league: Odds, Tips, and Predictions 07-15-25
Here’s your in-depth betting preview for tonight’s 95th MLB All‑Star Game at ...
WNBA Indiana Fever vs Connecticut Sun: Odds, Tips and Predictions 07-15-25
Here’s a sharp betting preview for tomorrow night’s Indiana Fever vs Connecticut ...
MLB Chicago Cubs vs New York Yankees: Odds, Tips and Predictions 07-13-25
Here’s the matchup information for today’s Cubs vs. Yankees game: Run Line: ...
Club World Cup Final PSG vs Chelsea: Odds, Tips and Predictions 07-12-25
Draw: +210 Moneyline PSG -175 Moneyline Chelsea +420 Over/Under 2.5 Date & ...
MLB Los Angeles Dodgers vs Milwaukee Brewers: Odds, Tips and Predictions 07-09-25
Here’s today’s Dodgers vs. Brewers matchup preview from a betting perspective: Run ...
Club World Cup Semi-Finals PSG vs Real Madrid: Odds, Tips and Predictions 07-09-25
Draw: +250 Moneyline PSG -132 Moneyline Real Madrid +108 Over/Under 2.5 When ...
MLB Miami Marlins vs Cincinnati Reds: Odds, Tips and Predictions 07-07-25
Matchup: Miami Marlins (40‑48) at Cincinnati Reds (46‑44) Venue: Great American Ball ...
Club World Cup Semi-Finals Fluminense vs Chelsea: Odds, Tips and Predictions 07-08-25
Draw: +260 Moneyline Fluminense +460 Moneyline Chelsea -165 Over/Under 2.5 Quarterfinal: Defeated ...
Betting Tips
02/06/2024 - 8:00 pm
Ohio State
Tip:
Ohio State to Cover
-5.50
FanDuel
02/03/2024 - 6:30 pm
Carmichael
Tip:
North Carolina to Cover
-4.00
FanDuel
02/03/2024 - 6:00 pm
Hulman Center
Tip:
Indiana State to Cover
-5.50
FanDuel
Latest News
Usyk vs Dubois Rematch Marred by Oversaturated Pay-Per-View Market. 
Saturday is chock-full of fights during the afternoon ...
“We Are Family”: The 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates’ Magical Season
The 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates season remains one of ...
Mythical Matchup at 168 Pounds: Michael Spinks vs. Marvelous Marvin Hagler – ...
In the rich tapestry of mythical boxing matchups, ...
Purdue Football: A Legacy of Legendary Quarterbacks
When football fans hear the phrase “Quarterback U,” ...
The 1971 ABA Finals: Utah Stars vs Kentucky Colonels – A Forgotten Classic
The 1971 ABA Finals brought together two explosive ...
Top Brands
Top Bonuses
Real Prize
Real Prize
Real Prize Review
4.8/5
Stake.us
Stake.us
Stake.us Review
4.6/5
CrownCoinsCasino
CrownCoinsCasino
CrownCoinsCasino Review
4.5/5
McLuck
4.4/5
LoneStar Casino
LoneStar Casino
LoneStar Casino Review
4.3/5
Jackpota
Jackpota
Jackpota Review
4.2/5
High5Casino
High5Casino
High5Casino Review
4.2/5
MegaBonanza
MegaBonanza
MegaBonanza Review
4.2/5
MyPrize US
MyPrize US
MyPrize US Review
4.1/5
Moonspin.us
Moonspin.us
Moonspin.us Review
4.1/5
Real Prize
Real Prize Promo
625K Golden Coins + Up to 125 SC FREE + 1250 VIP Points
T&Cs apply
4.8/5
Stake.us
Stake.us Promo
56 Stake Cash + 560K Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
CrownCoinsCasino
CrownCoinsCasino Promo
Get 200% More Coins on First Purchase - 1.5M CC + 75 SC
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
McLuck
McLuck Promo
150% Extra: 50K Gold Coins + 25 SC FREE
T&Cs apply
4.4/5
LoneStar Casino
LoneStar Casino Promo
Get up to 500K Gold Coins + 105 FREE SC + 1000 VIP points
T&Cs apply
4.3/5
Jackpota
Jackpota Promo
100% Extra on Your First Purchase – Get 80,000 GC + FREE 40 SC + 75 Free Spins
T&Cs apply
4.2/5
High5Casino
High5Casino Promo
245% Extra up to 60 SC FREE + 700 Gold Coins and 400 Diamonds!
T&Cs apply
4.2/5
MegaBonanza
MegaBonanza Promo
150% First Purchase Offer: Up to 200K Gold Coins + 101 SC FREE
T&Cs apply
4.2/5
MyPrize US
MyPrize US Promo
Special Offer: 300K Gold Coins + 30 SC FREE and 10 Free Spins
T&Cs apply
4.1/5
Moonspin.us
Moonspin.us Promo
200% Extra: 60,000 Gold Coins + 30 FREE Sweeps Coins
T&Cs apply
4.1/5
Our Team
Mike GoodpasterJosh SchwartzSimon BriffaMark LewisSamuel Teets
+8
Mike Goodpaster
Mike Goodpaster
Chief Editor
Josh Schwartz
Josh Schwartz
Editor
Simon Briffa
Simon Briffa
Sports Editor
Mark Lewis
Mark Lewis
Editor
Samuel Teets
Samuel Teets
US Sports Veteran
Author Icon
drjaygee
Editor
Find out what the legends have to say about sports this week....

21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times.
Virginia Town HallCloudflareSSL
Close
Our Sports Pros recommend these awesome sports betting sites this week:
DraftKings
DraftKings Promo
New Customers: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets INSTANTLY!
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Code:
Open DraftKings
Get Bonus
FanDuel
FanDuel Promo
Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Code:
Open FanDuel
Get Bonus
BetMGM
BetMGM Promo
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Code:
Open BetMGM
Get Bonus
×
Your Promo Code:
The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. If not, you can open it also by clicking the following link:
Play now