Texas vs Davidson Picks and Odds

• No. 19 Texas takes on Davidson on Monday, Nov. 30 (12 pm ET) to open the Maui Invitational (played in Asheville, N.C.)
• Texas and Davidson both won their openers
• Find the odds for this game, as well as matchup analysis and a pick, below

The COVID-19 pandemic cheated some college basketball players out of a trip to Maui, but at least the Maui Invitational will forge ahead nonetheless. On Monday at 12 pm ET, that means a matchup between No. 19 Texas (1-0) and Davidson (1-0).

Neither team had much trouble in its respective opener, but we could be in for a close one between these two. Texas is a 9.5-point favorite.

Texas vs Davidson Odds

Odds taken Nov. 29 at FanDuel

How They’ve Fared So Far

As mentioned, these teams have played exactly one game apiece. It’s worth discussing how they fared, but only with the understanding that our entire sample size for each group is a grand total of 40 minutes.

The Longhorns took care of business with a 91-55 win over UT Rio Grande Valley, a team that did not have a win against a top-200 opponent last year according to KenPom.com’s rankings.

Texas had five players in double figures, led by Courtney Ramey (20 points, five rebounds, seven assists). The only concern for the eighth-ranked team on KenPom.com is that they turned the ball over 18 times.

Served up a 2️⃣0️⃣ piece 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/x7BQHE2PwS

— Texas Men's Basketball (@TexasMBB) November 27, 2020

Davidson, meanwhile, earned an 82-73 win over High Point, a team that didn’t garner a top-300 win last season. The Wildcats would’ve won by more had High Point not shot 52.9 percent from three, so don’t be overly concerned by the single-digit margin.

Who To Watch

Davidson saw a potential breakout game on Wednesday from sophomore guard Hyunjung Lee, a South Korean native who made the Atlantic 10 all-freshmen team last year.

In his first start at the college level, Lee poured in 23 points — including 5-of-10 shooting from three — to go with nine assists. The 6-foot-7 youngster even added a pair of blocks, too. Scary stuff if you’re Texas, whose starting guards are both at least four inches shorter.

𝟭-𝟬.

Some 📽️ highlights from tonight's opening #CatsWin!#TCC #CatsAreWild pic.twitter.com/U4RV8JM0vZ

— Davidson Basketball (@DavidsonMBB) November 26, 2020

The Longhorns have a card up their sleeve, though, in the form of redshirt senior Andrew Jones, who says he tested negative for COVID-19 and is ready to play. Jones missed the team’s opener.

Covid negative and I’m feeling better. Yup I’m ready to play. 🤞🏾

— Andrew Jones (@DrewdotCash) November 28, 2020

In 76 career games at Texas, Jones is averaging 11.4 points, three rebounds and 2.6 assists from the guard position. He’s also 6-foot-4 and would pose as less of a size mismatch against Lee compared to his fellow Longhorns.

Home Away From Home?

Davidson’s travel budget might be the real winner in this matchup, as the Wildcats only have to travel about 90 minutes east (from Davidson, N.C. to Asheville, N.C.) instead of taking a flight to Hawaii. With that said, does the new location provide any advantage?

In a word, no. Maybe their legs will be less stiff coming off a brief bus ride, but the factor we’re most interested in is fans. And for now, no fans are allowed, so we can’t expect any palpable edge for Davidson.

The creation of the Maui Bubble is in full effect in Asheville 👀 #MauiontheMainland#MauiHoops | #HCCAsheville pic.twitter.com/kQUsDGJQ8h

— Maui Invitational (@MauiInv) November 26, 2020

Treat this game as if it was a true neutral site contest, because it essentially is. Texas went 2-1 at neutral sites last year, while Davidson went 1-3.

And heck, with their depth and the return of a contributing player, we think the Longhorns can make Asheville feel like home in no time.

Pick: Texas -9.5 (-102)