Very few things on the sports calendar can match the excitement and unpredictability of the NCAA Tournament. So why not add betting to the mix via the college basketball odds at FanDuel Sportsbook?

The 2024 edition of the big dance has arrived, and here at FanDuel Research, we'll have you covered with a betting guide for each game.

All college basketball odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook, and lines may change after this article is published.

NCAA Tournament Betting Picks

Texas A&M vs. Houston Betting Odds

Date and Time: Sunday, March 24th (8:40 p.m. Eastern)

Spread: Houston -9.5 (-120)

Total: 132.5

Moneyline:

• Texas A&M: +400
• Houston: -550

Texas A&M vs. Houston Statistical Breakdown

Advanced stats from KenPom, Bart Torvik and numberFire.

Texas A&M

• numberFire Ranking: 48th
• Bart Torvik Ranking: 43rd
• KenPom Ranking: 43rd
  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency Ranking: 57th
  • Adjusted Offensive Efficiency Ranking: 31st
  • Adjusted Tempo Ranking: 269th

Houston

• numberFire Ranking: 1st
• Bart Torvik Ranking: 1st
• KenPom Ranking: 2nd
  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency Ranking: 2nd
  • Adjusted Offensive Efficiency Ranking: 17th
  • Adjusted Tempo Ranking: 348th

Texas A&M vs. Houston Best Bet

Over 132.5 (-110)

The Texas A&M Aggies blew the doors off of the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first round of the NCAA Tournament with a 98-83 victory.

The Houston Cougars held a 43-16 halftime lead over the Longwood Lancers before moving on to face the 9 seeded Aggies.

Interestingly, this is a matchup we have seen already this season.

Back in mid-December, these two teams met the Toyota Center (in Houston). Houston won 70-66, but the game was tied at 63 with 1:31 left in regulation.

Wade Taylor IV scored 34 points for Texas A&M on 10 of 22 shooting from the field (6 of 14 from three and 8 of 9 from the stripe). No other Aggie netted more than seven points.

Houston had a balanced attack with four double-digit scorers, led by Emanuel Sharp's 21 (7 of 17 overall and 5 of 13 from three).

A reason the game stayed close was the free-throw disparity. Texas A&M got to the line 22 times; Houston had 8 attempts.

Texas A&M, though, ranks ninth in the nation in free throw attempts per game (24.3) yet doesn't shoot particularly well from the charity stripe (70.9%; 226th nationally).

What did the Aggies do in the first round? They earned 20 free throw attempts and made 15 of them.

Houston does allow an elevated free throw attempt rate (308th nationally). That's something to keep an eye on for sure in this rematch.

Despite slow paces and good defenses for each team here, the over is appealing.

Texas A&M's pace is on the upswing since mid-February, and over their last 11 games, they are averaging 72.1 possessions per game. Leading into that split, they averaged 67.5 possessions per game.

For context, 72.1 possessions per game would've ranked 32nd in the nation over the full season.

In eight games against top-30 adjusted defenses this season, Texas A&M matchups have averaged 140.1 points.

Texas A&M vs. Houston Prop Bet

Wade Taylor IV Over 16.5 Points (-128)

As mentioned already, Taylor IV dropped 34 points against Houston earlier this season. He shot 14 threes and made 6 of them.

Houston ranks 8th in three-point percentage allowed but 288th in three-point attempt rate allowed (a much better measure of three-point defense).

Taylor IV averages 9.4 three-point attempts in 16 games against teams ranked 250th or worse in three-point attempt rate allowed -- plus 3.4 makes per game.

In total, he's averaged 19.6 points per game against teams that are weak at defending the three-point line.

He's -146 to make 3+ threes, so shooting expectations are up -- both from a volume and efficiency standpoint.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.