The West Coast Conference is a three-bid league this year, something that has not gotten enough applause this week. The Saint Mary’s Gaels were the first team to broaden awareness beyond Gonzaga, and now they are rewarded with an at-large bid despite a surprising loss in the conference tournament.
Let that recognition further your confidence in the Gaels against the Texas A&M Aggies tonight.
My Texas A&M vs. Saint Mary’s predictions and March Madness picks are intrigued by the countering wants: the underdogs preferring to play like their shoes are on fire, while the favored Gaels think snails move too quickly.
Texas A&M vs Saint Mary's prediction
Who will win Texas A&M vs Saint Mary's?
Saint Mary's: The casual fan may mistake this for an upset, but the seed lines are correct.
The Gaels have more NCAA Tournament experience, and that will prove the difference in this matchup of contrasting styles.
Texas A&M vs Saint Mary's best bet: Over 147 (-110)
With Bucky McMillan and his “Bucky Ball system” in his first year in College Station, the Texas A&M Aggies play fast. They enjoyed the 29th-quickest tempo in the country this year, per KenPom, while the Saint Mary’s Gaels moseyed at the No. 298 tempo.
Broadly speaking, it is easier to speed up a slow team than it is to slow down a fast team. With depth and ball pressure, Texas A&M should speed up this first-round matchup.
And with both teams showing quality from beyond the arc, any amount of hot shooting could turn the pace into a barnburner.
COVERS INTEL: In five games this season that KenPom considered up-tempo, Saint Mary’s went 4-1 outright, losing to only Vanderbilt. More notably, all five of those games cashed their Overs, though the Gaels went just 2-3 against the spread in them.
Texas A&M vs Saint Mary's same-game parlay
Backing Saint Mary’s to win despite the pace is a vote of confidence in veteran head coach Randy Bennett. The Gaels have advanced past the first round in three of the last four years.
They may also have the best player on the court in sophomore guard Mikey Lewis, who is shooting 37.5% from three and faces a defense that gives up plenty of long-range looks.
Texas A&M vs Saint Mary's SGP
- Over 147
- Saint Mary's moneyline
- Mikey Lewis Over 17.5 points
Our Big Dance SGP: Like Mikey!
This approach applies to most Gaels, who operate with just a six-man rotation. As Texas A&M pushes the pace, partly thanks to its deep bench, Saint Mary’s will rely heavily on a few primary ball handlers.
Mikey Lewis will handle the ball more than anyone else. Taking his Overs makes too much sense.
Texas A&M vs Saint Mary's SGP
- Mikey Lewis Over 17.5 points
- Mikey Lewis Over 2.5 threes
- Mikey Lewis Over 2.5 assists
- Saint Mary's -3
Texas A&M vs Saint Mary's odds
- Spread: Texas A&M +3 (-110) | Saint Mary's -3 (-110)
- Moneyline: Texas A&M +135 | Saint Mary's -165
- Over/Under: Over 147 (-110) | Under 147 (-110)
Texas A&M vs Saint Mary's betting trend to know
Saint Mary's has covered the spread in 13 of its last 18 games for +7.5 units and a 38% ROI. Find more college basketball betting trends for Texas A&M vs. Saint Mary's.
How to watch Texas A&M vs Saint Mary's
| Location | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK |
| Date | Thursday, March 19, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 7:35 p.m. ET |
| TV | truTV |
Texas A&M vs Saint Mary's key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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