Texas A&M Aggies
SEC (24-8, 13-3)
The Texas A&M Aggies have continued to transition nicely into their stay in the Southeastern Conference as they have gotten big wins against the likes of South Carolina at home along with LSU and Georgia on the road. This is still a pretty young team but it is talented enough to cause any team in the NCAA Tournament issues when they are rolling on all cylinders.
Big Wins: 1/9 at LSU (52-48), 1/16 South Carolina (67-65), 2/9 LSU (72-67)
Bad Losses: 12/22 vs St. John’s (70-72), 2/2 at Vanderbilt (69-71), 2/23 Kentucky (74-83)
Coach: Gary Blair (11 seasons at Texas A&M)
Why They Can Surprise:
The Aggies have the ability to beat anyone in the country on any given day and are one of the few teams to solve South Carolina this season. The key is being consistent offensively and getting production like they have all season from Courtney Williams, Courtney Walker and Karla Gilbert. They also have the first two rounds at home in Reed Arena, which will provide an excellent home court advantage for Texas A&M. The ability to be one of the top teams in the Southeastern Conference will also serve the Aggies well in the postseason as there is arguably not a tougher conference in college basketball.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The inexperience of a sophomore laden starting lineup could be a potential problem as you never know how younger player will react in the postseason. The inability to score easily could also be problematic at times. In the Tennessee game in College Station, the Aggie only scored 55 points and shot just 33.8 percent from the floor. Texas A&M also was outscored 38-16 in the paint in that contest. Senior center Karla Gilbert is going to have to do a great job of staying out of foul trouble in the NCAA Tournament.
Probable Starters:
Courtney Walker, Sophomore, Guard, 15.2 ppg, 2.6 apg
Jordan Jones, Sophomore, Guard, 6.8 ppg, 7.1 apg
Courtney Williams, Sophomore, Forward/Guard, 13.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Achiri Ade, Junior, Forward, 7.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg
Karla Gilbert, Senior, Center, 11.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Tori Scott, Junior, Guard, 6.5 ppg
Curtyce Knox, Redshirt Freshman, Guard, 3.4 ppg, 2.2 apg
Tavarsha Scott-Williams, Junior, Forward, 2.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg
Chelsea Jennings, Sophomore, Guard, 2.1 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 69.5 (132nd in nation, 10th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 58.3 (28, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.6 (31, 4)
Field-Goal Defense: 36.1 (24, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 2.2 (340, 14)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: NA
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.5 (158, 7)
Rebound Margin: 5.4 (53, 4)
Assists Per Game: 16.1 (38, 2)
Turnovers Per Game: 15.9 (168, 5)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2013 NCAA Round of 64 win over Wichita State
2013 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Nebraska
2012 NCAA Round of 64 win over Albany
2012 NCAA Round of 32 win over Arkansas
2012 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Maryland
2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over McNeese State
2011 NCAA Round of 32 Win over Rutgers
2011 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Georgia
2011 NCAA Regional Final win over Baylor
2011 NCAA National Semifinal win over Stanford
2011 NCAA National Final win over Notre Dame
2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over Portland State
2010 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Gonzaga
2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over Evansville
2009 NCAA Round of 32 win over Minnesota
2009 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Arizona State
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Texas-San Antonio
2008 NCAA Round of 32 win over Hartford
2008 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Duke
2008 NCAA Regional Final loss to Tennessee
2007 NCAA Round of 64 win over Texas-Arlington
2007 NCAA Round of 32 loss to George Washington
*all team stats through 3/6
See All Women’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
