Big East
No. 19 Louisville (17-4) at No. 20 Georgetown (16-5)
7 p.m. ET

Louisville vs. Georgetown Big Monday Odds
Georgetown –5
Total: 143.5

Louisville has not made things easy on itself lately. Three of its last four wins have been by one point. Things will not be any easier for Louisville when it travels to our nation’s capital to take on Georgetown on Big Monday. Louisville needed double overtime to get past Connecticut on Saturday and last second baskets to defeat West Virginia and Marquette in the past two weeks.

Georgetown has been winning a little more comfortably. That is a departure from earlier in the month when the Hoyas were 1-4 in the Big East. Since then Georgetown has won at Rutgers, Seton Hall and Villanova, and won at home against St. Johns. Georgetown is the second-best shooting team in the country. They rank in the Top 50 in all offensive categories while their defense has left plenty to be desired. The Cardinals also struggle defensively, and we could be in store for a shootout at the Verizon Center.

Georgetown has won four of the last six meetings between the two teams. Austin Freeman went off for 29 points last season at Louisville in a 70-60 win. Freeman has been hot lately. He has topped 20 points three of his last four games, including 30 in the win over Villanova on Saturday.

College Basketball Picks for Big Monday: Louisville at Georgetown Predictions
Louisville does not have a consistent scorer that can match points with Freeman. Only guard Preston Knowles averages more than 11 points per game. With a posted total of 143.5 this game has all the makings of a shootout, and after winning a double overtime game at Connecticut, Louisville will have a hard time avoiding a letdown and have a hard time matching Georgetown point for point. Take Georgetown minus the points.

Big 12
No. 8 Texas (18-3) at No. 11 Texas A&M (17-3)
9 p.m. ET

Texas vs. Texas A&M Odds
Texas –1.5
Total: 129

When the teams last met 12 days ago in Austin, Texas, the Longhorns had little trouble with their in-state rival, winning 81-60. But in this rivalry it is all about location, location, location. The Longhorns have owned the Aggies in Austin, winning the last nine meetings there. But it has been a completely different story in College Station where Texas has not won in seven years.
The Aggies had no answer for Texas forward Jordan Hamilton in the first meeting this season. He had a game-high 27 points and eight rebounds.

Texas has won its first six conference games for the first time since 1997. The Aggies have struggled since a 16-1 start. Since then they have lost two of three, including the 21-point loss at Texas. The Aggies are reeling after a 57-48 loss at Nebraska on Saturday. They turned the ball over 14 times in the loss and shot just 24 percent in the second half. 

College Basketball Picks for Big Monday: Texas vs. Texas A&M Predictions
Defense will be the biggest theme in the Lone Star Showdown. Texas has ridden a stellar defense to a 6-0 start in conference play. The only teams with a better defense in the conference are Kansas and Texas A&M. That Texas A&M defense and, more importantly, the home court advantage in College Station will be enough to give the Aggies the edge. Take Texas A&M and the points.