Texas A&M College Basketball Predictions 2010-11
November 18, 2010
The Texas A&M Aggies have been the definition of overachiever under head coach Mark Turgeon. After getting chosen to finish in the bottom half of the conference last season, Texas A&M went on to go 24-10 overall and 11-5 in the Big 12, ending up in a tie for second place in the conference. Texas A&M did lose a tough one to Purdue 63-61 in overtime in the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament, a loss that certainly leaves a bad taste in Turgeon’s mouth. Many don’t know this, but A&M is one of only two teams to win at least one time in the NCAA Tournament for five consecutive years. The other is the Pittsburgh Panthers, so that’s quite a feat in itself. This team has proven they can overcome adversity, and they had a lot more of it this summer. In May, top recruit Tobi Oyedeji died in a car accident. Then in July, the NCAA denied Derrick Roland an extra year of eligibility after getting hurt last December.
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Frontcourt:
Junior forward David Loubeau has made large jumps in his first two seasons on campus. He displayed promise as a freshman, and really developed a nice back-to-the-basket game as a sophomore. If the Aggies can make a sixth straight showing in the NCAA Tournament, Loubeau will be one of the biggest reasons as he’s relied upon to do most of the scoring. Sophomore Ray Turner needs to make some improvements, and with his athleticism he’s more than capable. Turner’s ability to play above the basket gives him the potential to be one of the best rebounders and shot-blockers in the Big 12. If the Aggies are to be so strong in the paint again this season, they’ll need to get a lot from three true freshman in Kourtney Roberson, Keith Davis and Daniel Alexander.
Backcourt:
Because Texas A&M is missing depth down low, they’ll likely go to small ball lineups lineups while pushing the tempo. The Aggies have the skills to play this type of game, particularly with point guard Dash Harris running the show. He dished out a team-high 109 assists last season, and if he can improve on his 37.4 percent shooting, he’ll keep opposing defenders honest. B.J. Holmes is the team’s top returning scorer at 9.3 PPG, and he’s a sharp shooter who shot 36.6 percent from outside the arc last season. Developing senior Nathan Walkup along with sophomores Khris Middleton and Naji Hibbert will be important pieces to Texas A&M’s year also. Middleton has the athletic ability and length that has drawn a lot of comparisons to former Aggie great Josh Carter. Walkup has made big outside shots in the past, but he struggled last year hitting just 26.5 percent from 3-point range.
Jack’s Pick: 8th Place in the Big 12 – If the sophomores on this team can get better, the Aggies will shock some people again in 2010-11. But I believe there are too many holes to fill, and too many questions surrounding the players returning for Texas A&M to make a sixth straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. An NIT appearance is more likely, but as Turgeon has shown in year’s past you can never count his teams out.
