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Texas A&M vs Penn State: 2023 NCAA Tournament game preview, prediction

By Nicholas Nathanson

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 11: Julius Marble #34 and Wade Taylor IV #4 of the Texas A&M Aggies high five in the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the semifinals of the 2023 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 11, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 11: Julius Marble #34 and Wade Taylor IV #4 of the Texas A&M Aggies high five in the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the semifinals of the 2023 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 11, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images) /
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Texas A&M vs Penn State: 2023 NCAA Tournament game preview, prediction

Texas A&M

The SEC’s regular season and conference tournament runner-up will enter as winners of 10 of their last 12.

Outside of their most recent loss to Alabama, the Aggies have been playing quite well.

Thus it comes as no surprise that the Aggies are one of the tournament’s hottest teams, who are led by guard Wade Taylor IV.

As a #7 seed that was perhaps undervalued, they will no doubt look to take advantage of this.

Defensively, the Aggies were the 3rd best team in surrendering PPG at 66.2, behind only Tennessee and Mississippi State.

On the offensive side, the Aggies were 5th best in PPG, and most importantly especially for March,    they have the highest Free Throw percentage in the SEC.

Keep an eye out for Taylor IV in this one.

Penn State

Aggie fans, keep an eye out for the Nittany Lions.

Just like the Aggies, Penn State has won 8 out of their last 10.

This is not the same team that dropped four in a row just last month.

It’s quite the opposite.

Penn State has put the Big 10 on notice as of recent.

Down the stretch of the season, Penn State has been one of the most battle-tested teams beating the likes of Northwestern (x2), Maryland, Indiana, and, fell just short of beating #1 seed Purdue, losing by just two in the Big 10 Championship.

Led by guard Jalen Pickett, the Nittany Lions shoot pretty well from deep and are a team not to be taken lightly.

Prediction

This should be one of the best 7-10 matchups the tournament has to offer.

Jalen Pickett vs Wade Taylor IV.

Two of the most exciting guards in all of college basketball.

This should be a high-intensity game that’ll be decided within the final few minutes.

Both teams will enter with similar momentum, but I think Texas A&M just escapes Penn State in the final minute or two to advance in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

Prediction: Texas A&M 71, Penn State 67

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