2010-2011 Texas A&M College Basketball Predictions

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 Big 12 last season, Texas A&M went on to go 24-10 overall and 11-5 in the conference, ending up in a tie for second place in the conference. The Aggies did lose a tough one to Purdue 63-61 in OT in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, a loss that surely leaves a bad taste in Turgeon’s mouth. Many don’t know this, but the Aggies are one of only two teams to win at least one game in the NCAA Tournament for five consecutive seasons. The other is the Pittsburgh Panthers, so that’s quite a feat in itself. This team has proven they can deal with adversity, and they had a lot more of it this summer. In May, top recruit Tobi Oyedeji died in an automobile accident. Then in July, the NCAA denied Derrick Roland an extra year of eligibility after getting hurt last December.

Frontcourt:

Junior forward David Loubeau has made big strides in his first two years at A&M. He showed potential in his first year, and really learned a nice back-to-the-basket game in his season season. If the Aggies can make a sixth consecutive showing in the NCAA Tournament, Loubeau will be the reason why as he’s relied upon to do most of the scoring. Sophomore Ray Turner needs to get better, and with his athleticism it’s a likely possibility. Turner’s ability to play above the rim gives him the potential to be one of the best rebounders and shot-blockers in the league. 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 playing a faster tempo. Texas A&M has the skills to run this type of style, particularly with point guard Dash Harris running the show. He distributed a team-best 109 dimes last year, and if he can shoot better than his 37.4 mark from a year ago, he’ll keep opposing defenders honest. B.J. Holmes is the team’s leading scorer back at 9.3 PPG, and he’s a sharp shooter who shot 36.6 percent from behind the 3-point line last year. Developing senior Nathan Walkup along with sophomores Khris Middleton and Naji Hibbert will be important pieces to Texas A&M’s season 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.

Prediction: 8th Place in the Big 12 – If the sophomores on this team can develop, Texas A&M will shock some people again in 2010-11. But I believe there are too many holes to fill, and too many doubts surrounding the players coming back for Texas A&M to make a sixth straight trip to the Big Dance. An NIT showing is more probable, but as Turgeon has shown in year’s past you can never count his teams out.

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