Preview: Texas A&M vs. Valparaiso

Time: 7:30pm

Place: Reed Arena

TV: SEC Network+

Line: Texas A&M -10.5

Advanced Metrics via KenPom: Texas A&M has an 83% chance to win

Results of Note

The Crusaders are 6-5 on the season, which includes a solid road win at UNLV.

They pushed Wake Forest on a neutral floor, and they hung around at West Virginia for a little while, but ultimately fell late in both of those games.

Things to Watch

Everything flows through Derrik Smits, the 7-1 offspring of NBA center Rik Smits. In an era where big men are practicing threes in an attempt to get court time, Smits continues to put in work on the low block.

This kid had 23 and 7 against Wake Forest, 20 and 7 (with 5 blocks) at West Virginia, and 20 and 12 in the big road win at UNLV.

He’s gonna be a handful down low.

Overall Thoughts

Valpo can play, and they claimed a legitimate road win in Vegas, but they shouldn’t be able to handle us at the guard position. They also, despite the presence of the 7-1 guy, really aren’t that good on the defensive glass… and we attack the offensive boards at an elite level (37.9% offensive rebounding rate, good for 12th in the nation).

Barring a bad shooting night by even our standards, this one should be a relatively comfortable win. I’m not predicting a blowout, and I’m not even sure I would lay the 10.5… but we’ll improve our winning streak to four games.

BTHO Valpo