Game #5: Texas A&M at Tulane
Dec 07, 1999 | Men's Basketball
December 07, 1999
GAME #5 TEXAS A&M AGGIES (2-2) VS. TULANE GREEN WAVE (5-1) 7 p.m. (Central) Wednesday, Dec. 8, 1999 New Orleans Arena (17,832) New Orleans, La.
TV: None
RADIO: Texas A&M Radio Network
Dave South, play-by-play
John Thornton, commentary
The Texas A&M Aggies (2-2) begin a six-game road trip on Wednesday when they play the Tulane Green Wave (5-1) at the sparkling New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, La. The Aggies defeated the Green Wave, 69-63, last year in College Station. A&M has won two straight games, beating Stephen F. Austin, 70-65, on Dec. 1 and upsetting Virginia Commonwealth, 75-59, on Sunday. Tulane has won four straight since a 78-70 road loss to No. 24-ranked Maryland on Nov. 19. The Green Wave is 4-0 at home this season while A&M is 0-1 on the road.
Scouting Report
Tulane is 5-1, including an 85-44 win against Virginia Commonwealth on Nov. 30 in Richmond, Va. The Green Wave returns four starters from last year's team that finished 12-15 overall and placed fifth in Conference USA with a 6-10 mark. Tulane is led by forward Sterling Davis (6-7), a senior from Duncanville, Texas, who is averaging 15.0 points and 4.7 rebounds while making 56.7 percent from the field. Senior center Morris Jordan (6-10) is adding 13.0 points and a team-high 7.2 rebounds while senior guard Dylan Osean (6-4) is averaging 11.2 points and is making 45.0 percent (9-20) from three-point range. Junior forward Ledaryl Billingsley (6-7) is also a prime contributor, tossing in 9.7 points with 7.0 boards per game. As a team, Tulane is making 48.7 percent from the field and averaging 80.3 points per game.
Injury Report
JASON BOEKER, Senior Forward: Left knee cap tendonitis (probable)
JERALD BROWN, Senior Forward: Fractured orbit bone near right eye (probable)
JAMAAL GILCHRIST, Freshman Guard: Sprained right ankle (probable)
LARRY JACKSON, Freshman Center: Left thigh inflamation (will not play)
ANDY LEATHERMAN, Sophomore Guard: Right knee tendonitis (will not play)
TOMAS RESS, Freshman Forward: Hyperextended right thumb (probable)
A&M-Tulane Series
Series Tied, 6-6 In New Orleans: TU leads, 4-1 At New Orleans Arena: 0-0 In College Station: A&M leads, 4-0 At Reed Arena: A&M leads, 1-0 At Neutral Sites: TU leads, 2-1 Current Win Streak: A&M, 1 game Longest A&M Win Streak: 2 games (twice) Longest TU Win Streak: 3 games Largest A&M Win: 34-10 (1915-16) Largest TU Win: 82-53 (1954-55) Melvin Watkins vs. TU: 2-1 Perry Clark vs. A&M: 1-1 Year Winner Site 1915-16 A&M, 34-10 College Station A&M, 30-13 College Station 1916-17 TU, 42-26 New Orleans 1920-21 A&M, 41-28 New Orleans TU, 30-27 New Orleans 1948-49 TU, 51-28 New Orleans 1954-55 TU, 82-53 New Orleans 1955-56 A&M, 85-66 College Station 1962-63 A&M, 67-53 Jonesboro, Ark. 1970-71 TU, 89-69 Houston 1994-95 TU, 76-74 Lahaina, Hawaii 1998-99 A&M, 69-63 College Station
The Coaches
Melvin Watkins (North Carolina Charlotte `77) is in his second year as head coach at Texas A&M. Watkins's first A&M team finished 12-15 last year with a 5-11 mark in Big 12 play, tying for 10th place. In three years as a college head coach, Watkins has built a 56-37 record. Prior to coming to A&M, Watkins compiled a two-year record of 42-20 at his alma mater, UNC Charlotte, leading the 49ers to consecutive 20-win seasons and NCAA Tournament berths. Prior to that, Watkins served as an assistant at UNCC from 1978-96. As a player, Watkins led UNCC to the NCAA Final Four in 1977 as the starting point guard. Behind Watkins, UNCC also advanced to the NIT finals in 1976. Watkins was a fourth-round draft pick of the NBA's Buffalo Braves in 1977. Watkins is 2-1 against Tulane and coach Perry Clark, including a 1-1 record when he was at UNC Charlotte.
Perry Clark (Gettysburg `74) is 170-135 in his 11th season as a head coach, all at Tulane. Clark previously served as an assistant at Georgia Tech (1982-88) and Penn State (1978-1982). From 1975-78, he was an assistant at DeMatha Catholic High School in Maryland under legendary prep coach Morgan Wooten. Clark is 1-1 against A&M and is 1-2 in games against teams coached by Melvin Watkins.
Watkins Comments
"Tulane is playing the best basketball they've played in the last three or four years. They are playing as a team and playing as hard as any team you want to see play right now. What's happened is that those kids are seniors now. I know Coach Clark is probably seeing what he thought he would see when he recruited those kids. They've played together a long time now and they definitely will be the best team we've played so far. It'll be a big challenge to go on the road and try to win there."
TALE OF THE TAPE A&M Tulane 2-2 W-L 5-1 248 Sagarin Rtg. 40 77.5 Scoring Off. 80.3 77.2 Scoring Def. 61.3 +0.3 Margin +19.0 .454 FG Pct. .487 .439 FG % Def. .408 .307 3-Pt. Pct. .346 .500 3-Pt. % Def. .284 .760 FT Pct. .573 .667 Opp. FT % .640 +2.3 Reb. Margin +8.4 18.3 Fouls 20.3 16.0 Assists 18.0 19.0 Turnovers 16.7 2.3 Blocks 3.2 9.3 Steals 10.8
VCU Recap
COLLEGE STATION (AP) - Carlton Brown posted his first career double double as Texas A&M rallied past Virginia Commonwealth 75-59 Sunday afternoon at Reed Arena. Brown scored 12 points and had a career-high 14 rebounds as the Aggies overcame an eight-point halftime deficit. Virginia Commonwealth led by as many as 17 in the first half. The Aggies (2-2), who won their second consecutive game after opening the season with two straight losses, switched from a man-to-man to a pressuring zone in the second half and outscored the Rams 46-22. "Each time out, you're going to see this team improve," said Texas A&M coach Melvin Watkins. "We're learning. We challenged our guys at halftime, and they accepted it." Freshman Bernard King led A&M with 17 points, followed by Jamaal Gilchrist with 16. A&M also dominated at the free-throw line, scoring 31 points to VCU's 12, and outrebounded the Rams 47-37. Bo Jones scored 21 points to lead the Rams, playing their first road game of the season. But Jones scored just six points in the second half against A&M's retooled defense.
Gilchrist Ties Record
Freshman guard Jamaal Gilchrist scored 21 points against North Carolina A&T on Nov. 27, tying the school record for most points by a freshman in his first game. Winston Crite, who went on to one of the greatest careers in school history, also scored 21 in his freshman debut against Texas Lutheran in 1983-84.
No Razors Needed
A&M's lineup against North Texas and Stephen F. Austin marked the only time in school history that the Aggies have started an all-freshman backcourt and a freshman center. The Aggies started four true freshmen (off guard Bernard King, point guard Jamaal Gilchrist, small forward Larry Scott and center Andy Slocum), along with senior power forward Aaron Jack. The only other time in school history that the Aggies have started four freshmen in a game was in 1991-92, a team that went on to finish 6-22 but came within a game of winning the conference championship two seasons later. That lineup included sophomore point guard David Edwards, a Division I transfer from Georgetown.
Youngest Aggies Ever
With seven freshmen on the roster, not to mention just three returning scholarship players from last season, the 1999-2000 Aggies are the youngest team in school history. The 1978-79 and 1991-92 teams each had six freshmen. The youngest player on the team is guard Bernard King, who turned 18 on July 24. On the other end of the spectrum, the Aggies' four seniors will all be 23 by the start of the season and Paul Jacobs turns 24 on Feb. 15.
Dynamic Duo
Jamaal Gilchrist and Bernard King have started every game at the guard positions, marking only the third time in history A&M has started an all-freshman backcourt. In 1994-95, Kyle Kessel and Waseem Ali formed the starting back court as freshmen on a 14-16 team, while in 1976-77, Dave Goff and Steve Sylestine started as an all-freshman back court for a 14-14 squad. Sylestine is now head coach at San Antonio Jay, where he coached A&M junior forward Carlton Brown.
Lefties Reign
Four of the five starters against North Texas and Stephen F. Austin were left-handed - Aaron Jack, Andy Slocum, Bernard King and Jamaal Gilchrist. Every other player on the team is a right-hander.
Early Signing Class
Coach Melvin Watkins continued his transformation of Texas A&M basketball with his second straight top 25 recruiting class in early November. The class was ranked as the 22nd best in the country by ESPN. All three signees were ranked among the top 100 high school prospects in the country by at least one service, including consensus top 40 prospect Nick Anderson. Two players, Anderson and Trayvean Scott, are from Louisiana, continuing the Louisiana pipeline started by Watkins last year with the signing of Andy Slocum and Bernard King. Watkins also signed top 100 center Nolan Butterfras of Houston. A&M's 1999 early signees:
NICK ANDERSON, 6-7, 212, F
Baton Rouge, La. (Southern Lab)
Ranked as the 18th best prospect in the country by The Sporting News...one of the highest rated national recruits in A&M history...as a junior, averaged 23 points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots per game and earned first-team all-state honors...ranked among the top 40 national recruits by almost every recruiting service...rated as the top guard/forward in the South by Regional Basketball Report...was also recruited by Tennessee, LSU, Houston, Kansas, Tulane, Louisville, Alabama, West Virginia, Florida State and Arizona.
TRAYVEAN SCOTT, 6-1, 195, G
Baton Rouge, La. (Southern Lab)
Ranked among the top 45 high school prospects and top seven point guards in the South by Regional Basketball Report...has been ranked among the top 100 players nationally by Bob Gibbons' All-Star Sports...averaged 16.7 points and 7.0 assists per game last year and earned honorable mention all-state honors...also recruited by LSU, Minn., Tulane, Vanderbilt and Houston.
NOLAN BUTTERFRAS, 6-10, 235, C
Houston, Texas (Cypress Creek)
Ranked among the nation's top 13 high school centers by Athlon...rated as the 97th best prospect in the country by FastBreak Recruiting in a poll of top experts...described by Gibbons as "rugged" and a "very solid, strong low post prospect."
1999 TOP EARLY RECRUITING CLASSES (By ESPN) 1. St. John's 2. Seton Hall 3. Connecticut 4. Texas 5. Indiana 6. Michigan State 7. Oklahoma State 8. North Carolina 9. Iowa State Iowa 11. Missouri 12. Alabama 13. Oklahoma 14. DePaul 15. Cincinnati 16. North Carolina State 17. South Carolina 18. Michigan 19. Marquette 20. Oregon 21. Mississippi 22. Texas A&M 23. Clemson 24. Houston 25. Kentucky
Last Year's Class
The Aggies eight-man 1998-99 recruiting class, one of the largest in the country, was ranked as the 14th best class in the nation and the second best in the Big 12 by Bob Gibbons' All-Star Sports Report, who called the haul a "recruiting bonanza." The top-rated player in the class, Louisiana Mr. Basketball Bernard King, was rated by Gibbons as the 33rd best prospect in the country. Another Louisiana product, Andy Slocum, was rated No. 94 by Gibbons. Meanwhile, Brick Oettinger of The Sporting News ranked Jamaal Gilchrist as one of the top 30 high school point guards in the nation last year while Gibbons called him a "playmaker supreme." Overall, the class includes six true freshman, one junior college transfer and one university transfer, Keith Bean of North Carolina State, who was rated as the 33rd best prep player by Gibbons in 1997-98.
HOUSTON CHARITY CLASSIC
The Aggies will play in the Houston Charity Classic on Saturday at the Compaq Center in Houston. A&M meets Rice in the opener at 6 p.m., followed by Houston vs. Valparaiso in the nightcap at 8 p.m. All proceeds from the event will go to the Rudy T. Foundation and the Houston Children's Charity. If purchased through Texas A&M, the two-game tickets are $16.50 each and guarantee a seat in the A&M section. Otherwise, tickets are $26. To purchase tickets at the reduced price, contact the A&M Athletic Ticket Office at 888-99AGGIE or 409-845-2311.
Did You Know?
The last time A&M played six straight road games was the first six games of the 1994-95 season, a stretch that included the Maui Invitational in Hawaii and the Bank IV Classic in Tulsa, Okla.
Coming Back
The Aggies rallied from a 17-point first-half deficit (23-6) to beat Virginia Commonwealth, 75-59. On Nov. 29 against North Texas, the Aggies trailed by 18 points with 12 minutes to play and rallied to within two points in the final minute before falling, 91-88.
Making the Freebies
Just two seasons ago, Texas A&M set a dubious school record by making just 57.9 percent from the free throw line, ranking last in the Big 12. Last year, the Aggies improved to 68.9 percent, ranking third in the Big 12. Through four games this season, the Aggies are making a blazing 76.0 percent from the line, again ranking third in the conference. Solid free throw shooting is a trademark of Melvin Watkins-coached teams as his two squads at UNC Charlotte each led Conference USA in free throw percentage. In the last two minutes of close games (games within 10 points), the Aggies have made 9-of-10 free throws (.900). The Aggies have also successfully completed 5-of-7 three-point plays. However, the team has struggled in one-and-one situations, making the first free throw just three times in eight attempts (..375).
Defense Improves
In the first two games this season, both losses, the Aggies allowed both North Carolina A&T (.507) and North Texas (.500) to shoot better than 50 percent from the field. But in the last two games, both wins, the Aggies held Stephen F. Austin (.411) and Virginia Commonwealth (.328) to a combined .368 from the field.
Better Boards
The Aggies have also improved their rebounding since the start of the year. After being out-rebounded by 16 boards (43-27) in the opener against North Carolina A&T, the Aggies have out-rebounded their last three opponents. In the two wins, A&M has posted an average rebounding margin of +11.5. Against A&T, A&M managed just five offensive boards but in the last three games has averaged 14.7.
Mr. Basketballs
Two Aggies were named Mr. Basketball in their respective states as prep seniors. Senior Jerald Brown was named Texas Mr. Basketball at Aldine High School in 1996 and freshman Bernard King was named Louisiana Mr. Basketball last spring at Gibsland-Coleman High School.
Different Games
The Aggies have not led at halftime in any game this season, training three times and being tied once. On average, the Aggies have trailed by an average of 4.8 points at halftime. However, the Aggies have out-scored their opponents in the second half in three-of-four games, including three straight. In the last three games, A&M has out-scored its opponents by an average of 11 points in the second half.
Freshman Impact
Through four games, the Aggies' top four scorers are all newcomers, including three true freshmen. The last time a freshman led the team in scoring was forward Damon Johnson in 1991-92, when he set the A&M freshman record with a 15.6 average. The only other freshman in school history to lead the team in scoring was guard Todd Holloway with a 12.0 average in 1983-84. Through four games, freshman Bernard King leads the team with a 16.2 average, well ahead of Johnson's record. King is the top freshman scorer so far in the Big 12, while backcourt mate Jamaal Gilchrist ranks second among Big 12 freshmen with a 14.0 average. King has scored in double figures in all four games. Forward Larry Scott ranks fourth among the league's freshmen with a 10.8 average. Gilchrist ranks second overall in the league in steals (3.0) and is the league's top freshman in steals and assists (4.8). Gilchrist also ranks second overall in free throw percentage (.875) while Scott is the league's top freshmen three-point shooter, ranking seventh overall at 52.6 percent.
J. Brown Returns
After missing the first three games with a broken bone near his right eye, senior forward Jerald Brown returned to action on Sunday against Virginia Commonwealth and responded with seven points and five rebounds. More importantly, he provided heady leadership to his young teammates. Brown has played in 81 career games, starting in 67, to rank among the most experienced players in the Big 12.
Dead-Eye Jack
Through four games, senior forward/center Aaron Jack had averaged 10.0 points and a team-best 7.5 rebounds. Jack also has connected on a whopping .682 from the field to rank third in the Big 12 in field goal accuracy. Last season, Jack made 56.5 percent from the field and led the team in three-point plays with nine. Against Stephen F. Austin, Jack posted his first career double-double with 11 points and a career-high 11 rebounds.
C. Brown Impressed
Junior forward Carlton Brown posted his first career double-double against Virginia Commonwealth, scoring 12 points with a career-high 14 rebounds. Brown has scored in double figures in three-of-four games, including a career-high 24 points against North Texas. Brown also ranks fourth in the Big 12 in free throw percentage, making 86.7 percent.
Impressive Recruiter
When freshman forward Larry Scott made his official recruiting visit to the Texas A&M campus last April, he expected to meet the usual people - academic advisors, professors, coaches, etc. Instead, he met the former leader of the free world, President George Bush. The A&M coaches took Scott to lunch at a restaurant near campus and in walked the former President and his wife, Barbara. "It was totally by coincidence because he walked in and everyone was like 'What?'" Scott said. "The president just walked in. I just thought, 'Wow." Then, Bush came over to meet Scott. "He came over, shook my hand, patted me on the back and told me I should be an Aggie," Scott said,adding that Bush was not the reason he signed with A&M, but it sure didn't hurt. The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum is located on the Texas A&M campus and the Bushes are frequent visitors.
The King and Fizer
Iowa State standout Marcus Fizer is from Arcadia, La., which is located just eight miles from Bernard King's home in Gibsland. "When I was home from spring break in March, Bernard totally amazed me at how complete a player he has become," Fizer told Mike Jones of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "I've told him he's going to have to get a lot stronger physically, but I've seen him grow from someone who was just happy to be out there playing into someone who can totally dominate a game."
From Far and Wide
Texas A&M's roster includes 14 players from nine states or countries, the most states represented on a roster in a school history. The 1990-91, 1991-92 and 1994-95 teams included players from eight states or countries.
Ress Assured
Freshman forward Tomas Ress, a native of Italy, speaks four languages - Italian, German, English and Spanish. He learned English and Spanish last year while attending high school in Florida. As a native of the tiny village of Pochi in the Italian province of Bolanzo, located near the border of Austria, Ress is fluent in German and Italian.
Sizing 'Em Up
The 1999-2000 Aggies may be the largest in school history in terms of both height and weight. Five players are at least 6-9 and eight are at least 6-8. In addition, three players weight in excess of 250 pounds and five tip the scales at more than 240 pounds. Freshmen Andy Slocum and Tomas Ress each wear a size 18 shoe. The only other player in recent history to wear a size 18 was Brad Stricker (1995-97). Freshman Larry Jackson (265) and sophomore Keith Bean (273) are the two heaviest players in school history. Shedrick Anderson (1990-92) also weighed in at 265. Of the veterans, Paul Jacobs put on the most muscle in the off-season, gaining 13 pounds to tip the scales at 225. Aaron Jack weighs in at 243, eight pounds above his playing weight last season.
Looking Ahead
After playing Tulane in New Orleans, La., on Wednesday, the Aggies meet Rice on Saturday in the Houston Charity Classic at the Compaq Center in Houston. Then, after a week-long break for final exams, the Aggies return to action against Lamar on Dec. 18 in Beaumont, Texas.
Tough Foes
Two of A&M's non-conference opponents have already posted major upsets this season. On Nov. 19, Virginia Commonwealth upset Louisville, 79-74. Then, on Nov. 29, Dayton upset Kentucky, 88-86.
