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Texas A&M returns to Reed Arena looking to stack back-to-back wins when it hosts Manhattan in College Station. The Aggies enter as a sizable favorite after an 86–81 win over Montana, while Manhattan arrives off a confidence-boosting showing at the Rainbow Classic. Texas A&M’s profile at Texas A&M and Manhattan’s page at Manhattan show two teams still shaping their early-season identity. Opening odds installed Texas A&M around -17.5 with the total set near 142. This marks the Aggies’ fifth home game in their first six outings, part of a heavy early schedule that also includes a follow-up matchup with Mississippi Valley State. Manhattan, meanwhile, returns from Honolulu with two wins in three tries, including an 80–73 decision over Mississippi Valley

Louisville has surged into the national spotlight with a 4–0 start, climbing to No. 6 after rolling through early competition behind high-powered guard play and elite tempo. The Louisville Cardinals enter Friday’s matchup at the neutral Heritage Bank Center looking to extend that momentum against a Cincinnati Bearcats squad that has also opened the season unbeaten. The rivalry carries deep history across multiple conferences, including past battles in the Missouri Valley, Metro Conference, Conference USA, and the Big East. Now, both programs meet outside league play in the Hoops Classic, a neutral-site showcase expected to draw a strong crowd from both fanbases. Louisville’s resume jump came after a 96–88 win over Kentucky, followed by a 106–81 rout of Ohio. The

Florida returns home carrying consecutive wins over in-state rivals and enters the matchup with the Florida Gators focused on addressing its most notable early-season flaw: perimeter shooting. At 3–1, the Gators have proven they can win through interior dominance, rebounding power, and defensive efficiency. But their 23.7 percent shooting mark from three-point range remains a concern as they face a Merrimack Warriors team gaining momentum after back-to-back victories. Florida maintained its winning formula in an 82–68 win over Miami, shooting a slightly improved 32.1 percent from three while controlling the paint and rebounding margins. The Gators’ identity continues to revolve around physical interior play, led by Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon — both drawing attention from NBA evaluators due to

Florida State continues to shape its new identity under Luke Loucks, entering Friday’s matchup against the Florida State Seminoles with a disruptive defensive presence unexpected from a program associated with pace and spacing. Through four games, the Seminoles are forcing turnovers at a top-five national rate, an unexpected development accompanying Loucks’ tempo-focused offensive philosophy. They host a Georgia Southern Eagles team that nearly upset an ACC opponent earlier in the week. Florida State is 3–1 after an 87–73 win over UT Martin, a game defined by 26 forced turnovers and 19 steals — the program’s highest steals total since 1996. That level of defensive urgency has set the early tone of the Loucks era. For bettors analyzing pace-versus-turnover matchups, comparing