Wake up and stop sleeping on this team! Yes, they had one of the worst non-conference strength of schedules in the country, and had some bad losses earlier in the year, but it is time to forgive and forget don't you think?
Day #12 of the Super Scintillating Selections features the Texas A&M Aggies who are 21-7 overall and 13-2 in the SEC. 13-2 is good enough for second place in one of the best conferences in the nation. Hopefully their most recent win over Tennessee was a wake up call to the nation. Head coach Buzz Williams has created a winning formula in College Station. Although it isn't the most attractive way to play, it certainly works for them, and who are we to argue with that?
This team certainly knows their identity and have bought into it. “I think that over time what’s happened is because we are so familiar with our identity and the recipe that we have to play with, they hold one another accountable to those things that are not in the stats in a very sincere way.” Straight from the mouth of Buzz Williams. A team that buys into who they are and who their coach wants them to be, is a team that will catch my eye.
Day 12 of 30…Gig ‘Em.
Why can A&M win it all?
Charity Stripe Kings. #1 in the country in free throws made per game, and #2 in the country in free throws attempted per game. It also helps that they shoot 76% from the line. They make 19 free throws PER GAME, come closer i dont think you heard that clear enough…that’s 19 free points per game. You can keep your stepback three pointers and your nifty layups. I'll take the team that goes to the hoop and gets fouled every day of the week. That's a team that knows how to win ball games, especially during crunch time
Second Chances. 11 offensive rebounds per game. 11 more possessions per game to score more points than the other team. What they lack in shooting, they make up for by grabbing the board and then going up and getting fouled to shoot two from the line. They Know who they are and use it to their advantage.
Lock ‘em up. Buzz Williams has never had an issue having his team play hard, his goal is always to have his players sweat more than he does (which is tough to do). The Aggies play hard for 60 minutes. Only allowing 65 points per game, and forcing 14 turnovers per game. They also like to press full court at times to keep their opponent on their toes. Doesn’t matter if they are down 20 or up 20, Buzz will call the press whenever he feels like it.
What is holding them back?
A,B,C 2,3. They are a master at the 1 pointer, but the 2s and 3s are a completely different story. The Aggies rank in the bottom half of the country in both categories and have for the whole year. 33% from three and 44% from the field will not get it done, and it is the reason why people are still sleeping on this team.
“Experts” started judging this team hardcore when they lost to Murray State, Wofford, and Colorado in the beginning of the year. That should only matter if they are a bubble team looking to get into the tournament, which they aren't. Texas A&M is here to stay. They are a focused basketball team who knows how to win and are looking to take the SEC regular season crown home while other teams in the SEC are “in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
My Prediction: Sweet 16
Next Game: @ Mississippi State 2/25
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