Texas A&M Aggies
SEC (26-8, 13-5)
Texas A&M got off to a great start and picked up some impressive early wins against the likes of Texas, Gonzaga and Baylor. They even started off SEC play 7-0. However, a tough early February knocked the Aggies down a peg. Yet, most of those losses were close losses and road losses before the Aggies started to turn things around in Late February. And, of course, how they play in March will be much more important than how they played in February.
Big Wins: 11/25 vs Texas (84-73), 12/19 Baylor (80-61), 2/20 Kentucky (79-77)
Bad Losses: 12/5 at Arizona State (54-67), 1/27 at Arkansas (71-74), 2/13 at LSU (71-76)
Coach: Billy Kennedy
Why They Can Surprise:
Coach Billy Kennedy’s squad is built around four key players. Leading the way is the versatile guard Danuel House. He is averaging 15.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists. House is a superb athlete and a great scorer, especially when running the floor. But he can knock down three-pointers to go along with his highlight reel dunks. Jalen Jones is another versatile senior wing player. He is a bit bigger than House and certainly tougher on the glass, thus Jones usually mans the four spot, but can certainly slide down to play the three when needed. Jones too is a threat to hit three-pointers, but most of his 15.5 points per game come from attacking the basket. The surprise of the big group of four is freshman center Tyler Davis. We knew he had talent, but he was ready to compete from day one. What Davis provides is a true center who can battle in the paint. But Davis has also quickly turned into an efficient and effective scorer in the paint. Alex Caruso is the facilitator on both sides of the floor. He dishes out 5.1 assists per game and tallies 2.0 steals. Caruso has not taken too many outside shots, but he is capable of doing so and can play off the ball with Anthony Collins running the show.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Despite having two point guards who are often on the floor together in Collins and Caruso, the Aggies do struggle with turnovers. They cannot afford to give away possessions, especially down the stretch, if Texas A&M wants to have postseason success. Texas A&M also struggles down the stretch with their free-throw shooting. Jones and Caruso are solid at the line, but the rest of the team has issues in that regard and that could cost the Aggies in close games. The bigger problem is the lack of a major shot blocking threat. Early in the year the Aggies got away with it, but in SEC play, the opposition has been able to attack the basket quite effectively.
Probable Starters:
Anthony Collins, Senior, Guard, 4.6 ppg, 4.3 apg
Alex Caruso, Senior, Guard, 7.8 ppg, 5.1 apg, 2.0 spg
Danuel House, Senior, Guard, 15.5 ppg, 2.2 apg, 4.8 rpg
Jalen Jones, Senior, Forward, 15.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg
Tyler Davis, Freshman, Center, 11.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.2 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Admon Gilder, Freshman, Guard, 6.8 ppg, 1.4 apg
DJ Hogg, Freshman, Forward, 6.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg
Tonny Trocha-Morelos, Sophomore, Center, 7.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 76.2 (105th in nation, 6th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 65.9 (45, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.3 (109, 5)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.1 (62, 6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.8 (95, 3)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.5 (136, 5)
Free-Throw Percentage: 67.2 (266, 10)
Rebound Margin: 3.7 (63, 4)
Assists Per Game: 17.4 (9, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.9 (96, 6)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2015 NIT First Round win over Montana
2015 NIT Second Round loss to Louisiana Tech
2014 CBI First Round win over Wyoming
2014 CBI Quarterfinal loss to Illinois State
2011 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Florida State
2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over Utah State
2010 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Purdue
2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over BYU
2009 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Connecticut
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over BYU
2008 NCAA Round of 32 loss to UCLA
2007 NCAA Round of 64 win over Pennsylvania
2007 NCAA Round of 32 win over Louisville
2007 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Memphis
*all team stats through 3/6
