Game #20: Texas A&M at Oklahoma State
Feb 04, 2000 | Men's Basketball
February 04, 2000
Game #20
Texas A&M Aggies (6-13, 2-6 Big 12)
vs.
#13 Oklahoma State Cowboys (17-2, 6-1 Big 12)
3 p.m. (Central)
Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000
Gallagher-Iba Arena (6,381 cap.)
Stillwater, Okla.
RADIO: Texas A&M Radio Network
Dave South, Play-by-play
Colin Killian, commentary
Airtime: 2:35 p.m.
TELEVISION: None
1999-2000 TEXAS A&M SCHEDULE/RESULTS
11/27 NORTH CAROLINA A&T L, 94-77
11/29 at North Texas L, 91-88
12/1 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN W, 70-65
12/5 VA. COMMONWEALTH W, 75-59
12/8 at Tulane L, 64-60 (ot)
12/11 *vs. Rice (KTBU) W, 56-53
12/18 at Lamar (KFDM) L, 76-69 (ot)
12/21 at Dayton (WHIO) L, 81-68
12/29 %at Santa Clara L, 60-48
12/30 %La Salle. W, 70-69
1/5 CENTENARY L, 63-60
1/8 at Oklahoma [19] (ESPN+) L, 78-53
1/12 TEXAS [15] (Fox SN) L, 78-51
1/15 at Texas Tech (Fox SN) W, 88-86
1/17 KANSAS [7] (ESPN) L, 78-57
1/22 OKLA. ST. [12] (ES+) W, 64-59
1/26 at Iowa State (ESPN+) L, 65-58
1/29 at Missouri (ESPN+) L, 93-62
2/2 BAYLOR L, 81-75
2/5 at Oklahoma State 3 p.m.
2/12 COLORADO (Fox SN) 5 p.m.
2/16 at Baylor 7 p.m.
2/19 TEXAS TECH (ESPN+) 3 p.m.
2/23 at Kansas State 7 p.m.
2/26 at Texas (ESPN+) 12:45 p.m.
3/1 OKLAHOMA 7 p.m.
3/4 NEBRASKA (ESPN+) 12:45 p.m.
3/9-12 #Big 12 Tournament TBA
*Compaq Center (Houston, Texas)
%Cable Car Classic (Santa Clara, Calif.)
#Kemper Arena (Kansas City, Mo.)
Listed game times are Central
The Texas A&M Aggies (6-13, 2-6) try to break a three-game losing streak on Saturday when they play The No. 13-ranked (AP) Oklahoma State Cowboys (17-2, 6-1) at 3 p.m. at Gallagher-Iba Arena (6,381 cap.) in Stillwater, Okla. The Aggies' last win was a 64-59 upset of the Cowboys on Jan. 22 in College Station. A&M is coming off an 81-75 loss to Baylor at home on Wednesday. The Cowboys have won three straight since losing to the Aggies and are coming off a hard-fought 63-59 victory against Texas Tech on Wednesday in Lubbock. Oklahoma State is 10-0 at home this season while the Aggies are 1-8 in true road games. OSU leads the series, 14-8, with a 4-1 advantage in games played in Stillwater.
Scouting Report
The Cowboys are one-half game out of first place in the Big 12 standings and boast the league's best overall record at 17-2. Their only losses have been on the road to Texas A&M (64-59) and against LSU (63-53) in New Orleans. The Cowboys are led by senior forward Desmond Mason (6-6), who is averaging 18.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game and is making 42.9 percent from three-point range. Senior forward Brian Montonati (6-9) is adding 12.8 points and a team-best 7.5 rebounds while senior guard Glendon Alexander (6-5) is averaging 11.8 points per contest. Senior guard Doug Gottlieb averages just 6.3 points but leads the nation in assists with 9.4 per game. Senior guard Joe Adkins (6-2) is scoring 9.2 points per game, along with 4.4 assists.
Aggies at a Glance
No. Pos. Player Ht. Wt. Cl. PPG RPG Other
4 G Jamaal Gilchrist 5-10 182 Fr 8.6 3.8 3.8a
10 F/C Jason Boeker 6-8 240 Sr 0.2 0.8 ?"
14 F Tomas Ress 6-9 222 Fr 4.7 2.2 ?"
21 C Aaron Jack 6-8 237 Sr 8.7 6.6 64.6% FG
22 G Andy Leatherman 6-2 206 So 3.4 1.6 2.0a
24 F Carlton Brown 6-6 208 Jr 8.1 4.2 ?"
25 F Larry Scott 6-5 206 Fr 8.0 2.1 1.8 3pt.
32 G Bernard King 6-3 182 Fr 15.8 4.7 4.1a
40 C Paul Jacobs 6-9 220 Sr 1.3 1.9 ?"
42 F Brian Brookhart 6-9 226 Fr 0.5 0.5 ?"
44 C Andy Slocum 6-11 255 Fr 4.1 2.9 ?"
52 F Jerald Brown 6-7 224 Sr 6.7 3.8 ?"
55 C Larry Jackson 6-10 265 Fr ?" ?" ?"
Head Coach: Melvin Watkins (UNC Charlotte ?˜77)
Assistants: Tom Billeter (Illinois ?˜83), Lew Hill (Wichita State ?˜87), Bobby Kummer (UNCC ?˜96)
A&M-Oklahoma State Series
OSU leads, 14-8
In Stillwater: OSU leads, 4-1
At Gallagher-Iba Arena: OSU leads, 4-0
In College Station: OSU leads, 6-5
At Reed Arena: Tied, 1-1
At Neutral Sites: OSU leads, 4-2
Current Win Streak: A&M, 1 game
Longest A&M Win Streak: 5 games
Longest OSU Win Streak: 8 games
Largest A&M Win: 48-32 (1923-24)
Largest OSU Win: 100-65 (1997-98)
Melvin Watkins vs. OSU: 1-2
Eddie Sutton vs. A&M: 27-6
Year Winner Site
1917-18 A&M, 15-8 College Station
A&M, 21-18 College Station
1922-23 A&M, 35-20 College Station
A&M, 24-17 Stillwater
1923-24 A&M, 48-32 College Station
OSU, 37-24 College Station
1924-25 OSU, 24-15 College Station
OSU, 19-17 (2 ot) College Station
1940-41 OSU, 38-30 Oklahoma City
1949-50 OSU, 55-34 Stillwater
1960-61 OSU, 60-58 (ot) Houston
1972-73 A&M, 67-64 (ot) Tulsa
1981-82 A&M, 80-72 El Paso
1988-89 OSU, 94-79 Oklahoma City
1994-95 OSU, 86-56 Tulsa
1996-97 OSU, 62-60 College Station
OSU, 72-55 Stillwater
1997-98 OSU, 100-65 College Station
OSU, 94-62 Stillwater
1998-99 OSU, 64-59 College Station
OSU, 66-61 Stillwater
1999-00 A&M, 64-59 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 60-48 record (.556). 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 45 years old.
Eddie Sutton (Oklahoma State ?˜57) is in his 10th season at Oklahoma State, where he has a 219-90 record. In his 30th year as a college head coach, Sutton has a career mark of 649-254. Bliss came to returned to his alma mater after four years as head coach at Kentucky (1985-89), 11 years at Arkansas (1974-85) and five years at Creighton (1969-74). He began his career as a graduate assistant at OSU in 1959, followed by a a seven-year stint as head coach at Tulsa Central High School and three years as head coach at Southern Idaho Junior College. Sutton is a four-time national coach of the year and a seven-time conference coach of the year. He is the only coach in NCAA history to lead four different schools to the NCAA Tournament. His teams have advanced to 20 NCAA Tournaments and won 20 or more games 19 times.
Watkins Says?...
"We played some uninspired basketball against Baylor and we didn't deserve to win. We are still making too many mental mistakes due to our inexperience. It was a good win against Oklahoma State two weeks ago, but now we are back to playing inconsistently. I expect it to be a very tough game for us."
Two Weeks Ago?...
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (1/22/00) -?" Bernard King scored 17 points, including two clinching free throws with nine seconds left, as the Aggies defeated No. 12 Oklahoma State 64-59 for their first victory over a ranked team in 13 years. It was the Aggies' first victory over a ranked team since the first round of the Southwest Conference tournament in 1987 when they beat No. 15 Texas Christian in the first round. The Aggies had lost 29 straight games to ranked teams but they never backed off from the Cowboys. Texas A&M took the lead for good at 58-57 with 2:37 to play on two free throws by Aaron Jack. Oklahoma State took a 38-35 halftime lead and they scored the first five points of the second half before the Aggies went on a 13-2 run that gave them a 48-45 lead with 13:05 left in the game. The Cowboys went scoreless for 6:25 during the run. After their lull, the Cowboys rallied to a 55-50 lead with 5:17 to go but the Aggies closed out with a 14-4 run led by Jack and Jamaal Gilchrist, who each had five points in the drive. Leading 62-59, King hit two free throws and the Aggies ran out the clock. The Aggies hit only 48 percent of their free throws but they made 10 of their last 12 to secure the victory. Desmond Mason led the Cowboys with 19 points and Fredrik Jonzen had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Doug Gottlieb, who leads the nation in assists, had two points and 13 assists.
TALE OF THE TAPE
Statistic A&M Okla. St.
W-L Record 6-12 17-2
Big 12 Record 2-5 6-1
Sagarin Rating 193 17
RPI Rating 158 32
Scoring 65.9 78.4
Opp. Scoring 73.3 60.5
Scoring Margin -7.6 +18.1
FG Pct. .416 .486
Opp. FG Pct. .446 .377
3-Pt. Pct. .319 .351
Opp. 3-Pt. Pct. .386 .297
3-Pt. FG 6.4 5.8
Opp. 3-Pt. FG 7.5 6.5
FT Pct. .668 .700
Opp. FT Pct. .684 .598
Off. Reb. 13.2 12.1
Total Reb. 36.6 39.3
Reb. Margin +1.3 +4.8
Assists 13.8 19.9
Turnovers 17.6 14.1
Blocks 2.2 3.8
Steals 7.5 9.0
Fouls 19.4 16.4
Baylor Recap
COLLEGE STATION (AP) ?" Baylor, which had lost 18 straight road games in the Big 12 Conference, ended the drought Wednesday night by beating Texas A&M 81-75 behind the shooting of guards Tevis Stukes and DeMarcus Minor. The last conference road win for Baylor (11-8, 2-6) came in 1998 at Texas Tech. Bernard King scored 20 points to lead Texas A&M, which lost its third consecutive game since upsetting Oklahoma State on Jan. 22. Stukes and Minor combined to hit 17 of 27 shots from the floor as the Bears shot a season-best 51.9 percent from the field. Baylor entered the game shooting just 36 percent from the field in league play. The Bears had made more than 40 percent from the field in just two Big 12 games this season. Stukes was particularly hot from outside, hitting 5 of 7 attempts from 3-point range to lead all scorers with 23 points. Minor added 20. Baylor built a 17-point lead with just under six minutes left in the game, but the Aggies narrowed the margin to four with less than one minute to play thanks to outside shooting. The Aggies set a school record with 13 three-pointers, including 10 in the second half. Down the stretch, the Bears were able to hold off the A&M rally by hitting 12 consecutive free throw attempts. The Bears used some blistering shooting from the outside to build a 40-32 lead at the intermission. Led by Stukes, the Bears were 6 of 11 from 3-point range in the first half. Baylor actually shot better from 3-point range (54.5 percent) in the first half than it did from all spots on the floor (53.3 percent). Aaron Jack added a career-high 18 points with 10 rebounds for the Aggies.
January Men
In January, the young Aggies played perhaps the toughest stretch of games in school history as five of their first six league opponents are ranked in this week's top 25 (four were ranked at the time A&M played them). The only other time in school history when the Aggies played a comparable schedule was in 1978-79, when they played four straight ranked teams in the non-conference schedule (beating three of them). The Aggies closed January at Missouri, one of the league's hottest teams. The Tigers are ranked No. 34 in this week's RPI ratings. After playing Baylor on Wednesday, the stretch continues on Saturday when the Aggies battle No. 13-ranked Oklahoma State on the road.
TOUGH MONTH
Date Opponent USA/AP Sagarin
Jan. 8 @Oklahoma 16/16 16 L
Jan. 12 Texas 13/15 18 L
Jan. 15 @Texas Tech UR/UR 54 W
Jan. 17 Kansas 8/ 7 8 L
Jan. 22 Oklahoma St. 12/12 10 W
Jan. 26 @Iowa State UR/UR 23 L
Jan. 29 @Missouri UR/UR 44 L
Feb. 2 Baylor UR/UR 142 L
Note: Iowa State entered the top 25 four days after playing the Aggies.
BIG 12'S TOUGHEST SCHEDULES
(Rated by Sagarin through Feb. 2, 2000)
Team (National Sched. Rank) W-L
1. Texas (6) 14-6
2. Kansas (15) 16-5
3. Kansas State (19) 8-11
4. Colorado (20) 11-9
5. Missouri (47) 13-6
6. Texas A&M (49) 6-13
7. Nebraska (95) 10-10
8. Oklahoma (113) 17-3
9. Texas Tech (138) 9-9
10. Iowa State (146) 19-3
11. Oklahoma St. (160) 17-2
12. Baylor (168) 11-8
Close Calls
A total of 11 Texas A&M basketball games have been decided by seven points or less or in overtime, the most of any team in the Big 12. The Aggies are 5-6 in those games. In the Aggies' three-game losing skid, the Iowa State game was lost by seven points and the Baylor game was lost by six.
Growing Up Fast
The Oklahoma State game on Jan. 22 featured one of the nation's youngest teams, A&M, against one the most experienced, Oklahoma State. The Aggies started four true freshmen while the Cowboys started four seniors. Still, the Aggies managed to pull off one of the biggest upsets in Big 12 history. The Aggies' top four scorers are all first-year players (three freshmen, one JUCO transfer). A&M's freshmen average a combined 126.3 minutes per game in conference play. The Aggies have started at least three true freshmen, sometimes four, in every game. All five freshmen in the playing rotation each have started at least six games. The Aggies are the Big 12's youngest team.
BROWN OUT WITH BROKEN LEFT HAND
Senior forward Jerald Brown suffered a broken bone in his left hand (third metacarpal) on Jan. 26 in the Iowa State game and will miss 3-4 weeks. Brown, who missed the first three games this season with a broken orbit bone near his right eye, had started all 14 games in which he's played this season. Brown could return to action by the end of February. Brown's absence leaves the Aggies with just two primary players (senior Aaron Jack and sophomore Andy Leathermen) who were with the team last season.
Who's Hot?
Jamaal Gilchrist: Has averaged 8.8 points, 4.3 assists and just 2.5 turnovers in last six games?...has averaged 2.4 steals in last four games?...has made 21-of-last 23 free throws (..913).
Aaron Jack: Leads Big 12 and ranks eighth nationally in field goal percentage (.646)?...in the last two games has averaged 16.0 points and 7.0 rebounds while making 14-of-17 (.824) from the field and 4-of-5 (.800) from the line?...in the last four games, has averaged 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and made 20-of-25 (.800) from the field?...posted back-to-back career highs in points in last two games against Missouri (14) and Baylor (18).
Bernard King: Scored 20 points, a career-best for a conference game, and made 6-of-12 three-pointers against Baylor?...averaging 5.3 assists in last three games?...has made 50 three-pointers, needs five to break school freshman record of 54 set by Jerald Brown in 1996-97?...averaging 2.6 treys per game, which would be a Big 12 freshman record if the season ended today.
Tomas Ress: Averaging 15.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in last two games, making 9-of-13 from the field (.692), 3-of-4 from three-point range (.750) and 10-of-10 from the line?...scored a career-high 22 points with a career-best 8 rebounds against Missouri.
Quick Notes
After starting the Oklahoma State game 5-of-19 from the line, then making 10-of their last 12 free throws, the Aggies have made 38 of their last 46 free throw attempts (.826).
The Aggies have out-rebounded or equaled 13 of their last 18 opponents.
The Aggies have started four true freshmen in six games and have started at least three true freshmen in every game. Five A&M freshman have started at least six games each.
The Aggies have trailed at halftime in 15 games and are 3-12 in those games. The team is 3-1 when it leads at halftime.
The Aggies made a school-record 13 three pointers against Baylor after tying the previous mark with 12 against Lamar.
A&M has not won in Stillwater since 1923.
The Aggies have made 45.6 percent from the field in the last three games, well above their season norm of .416.
BIG 12 FRESHMAN SCORING LEADERS
(Through games of Jan. 30)
Player, School PPG
Bernard King, Texas A&M 15.8
Kareem Rush, Missouri 11.8
Nick Collison, Kansas 10.9
Drew Gooden, Kansas 10.8
Richard Fox, Colorado 8.8
Jamaal Gilchrist, Texas A&M 8.6
Larry Scott, Texas A&M 8.0
Stephane Pelle, Colorado 7.8
BIG 12 FRESHMAN REBOUNDING LEADERS
Player, School RPG
Richard Fox, Colorado 7.3
Drew Gooden, Kansas 7.2
Nick Collison, Kansas 6.5
Stephane Pelle, Colorado 6.4
Bernard King, Texas A&M 4.7
Kareem Rush, Missouri 4.4
BIG 12 FRESHMAN ASSISTS LEADERS
Player, School APG
Bernard King, Texas A&M 4.1
Jamaal Gilchrist, Texas A&M 3.8
Kirk Hinrich, Kansas 3.1
Hollis Price, Oklahoma 2.5
Wendell Greenleaf, Baylor 1.6
BIG 12 FRESHMAN STEALS LEADERS
Player, School SPG
Jamaal Gilchrist, Texas A&M 2.1
Bernard King, Texas A&M 1.7
Hollis Price, Oklahoma 1.6
Wendell Greenleaf, Baylor 1.2
Kareem Rush, Missouri 1.3
Kirk Hinrich, Kansas 1.0
BIG 12 FRESHMAN PLAYING TIME
Player, School Min. Starts
Bernard King, A&M 33.8 19
Jamaal Gilchrist, A&M 33.2 19
Kareem Rush, MU 25.0 0
Richard Fox, Colo. 23.7 13
Larry Scott, A&M 23.1 12
The Bambinos
Six times this season the Aggies have started an all-freshman back court (Bernard King and Jamaal Gilchrist)and a freshman center (Andy Slocum). The Aggies have started four true freshmen (Bernard King, Jamaal Gilchrist, Larry Scott or Tomas Ress and Andy Slocum) in five games. 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.
TEXAS A&M FRESHMEN MINUTES PLAYED
Player, Year Avg.
Bernard King, 1999-00 33.8
Jamaal Gilchrist, 1999-00 33.2
Todd Holloway, 1983-84 31.9
Jimmie Gilbert, 1983-84 31.3
Kyle Kessel, 1994-95 30.8
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 the first time in school history that true freshmen have started in the backcourt in every game. It marks only the third time in history A&M has started an all-freshman backcourt at all. In 1994-95, Kyle Kessel and Waseem Ali formed the starting backcourt in 15 games as freshmen on a 14-16 team, while in 1976-77, Dave Goff and Steve Sylestine started as an all-freshman backcourt in 15 games for a 14-14 squad. Sylestine is now head coach at San Antonio Jay, where he coached A&M junior forward Carlton Brown.
The King Rises
Freshman guard Bernard King is living up to his early billing as one of the nation's top freshmen as he leads the team in scoring (15.8), three-point field goals (2.6), assists (4.1), minutes played (33.8) and blocked shots (0.4) and is second in rebounds (4.7), free throw percentage (.695) and steals (1.7). The 1999 Louisiana Mr. Basketball, King has scored in double figures in 17 games and has led the team in scoring in nine of the last 13 games. Against Lamar on Dec. 18, he scored a career-high 31 points, becoming only the second freshman in school history to score 30 points in a game. Vernon Smith had a pair of 30-point games as a freshman in 1977 and went on to become A&M's career scoring and rebounding leader. King made 7-of-15 three-pointers against Lamar, setting a school record for three-point attempts and falling one shy of the record for three pointers made in a game. King's 26 second-half points against Lamar also set a Big 12 Conference record for scoring in a single half. Then, against La Salle in the consolation game of the Cable Car Classic, King scored 21 points with a career-high 10 rebounds (his first double-double) and nailed the game-winning three-pointer as time expired in a thrilling 70-69 victory. In the upset of Tech in Lubbock, King scored 15 points, all in the second half, including a trio of long three-pointers that held the Red Raiders at bay. King was named ESPN.Com's national Freshman of the Week after scoring 17 points with eight rebounds in the Aggies' upset of No. 12-ranked Oklahoma State on Jan. 22.
NCAA DIVISION I FRESHMAN LEADERS
(Thru games of Feb. 2)
Scoring PPG
Sirvaliant Brown, G. Wash. 25.3
Chris Davis, North Texas 21.0
Troy Bell, Boston College 18.5
Jamaal Crawford, Michigan 16.7
Julius Jenkins, Ga. Southern 16.4
Bernard King, Texas A&M 15.8
Joseph Forte, North Carolina 15.7
Lavell Blanchard, Michigan 15.4
3-Point Field Goals Avg.
Brett Blizzard, UNC-Wilm. 3.0
Spencer Gloger, Princeton 2.7
Clay Tucker, Wisc.-Milwaukee 2.8
Chris Davis, North Texas 2.8
Bernard King, Texas A&M 2.6
Brian Chase, Virginia Tech 2.3
Sirvaliant Brown, G. Wash. 2.5
Jason Williams, Duke 2.3
Jason Gardner, Arizona 2.2
Troy Bell, Boston College 2.2
Minutes Played Avg.
Sirvaliant Brown, G.Wash. 36.6
Chris Davis, North Texas 36.3
Jason Gardner, Arizona 36.1
Jamaal Crawford, Michigan 33.9
Bernard King, A&M 33.8
Spencer Gloger, Princeton 33.7
Brett Blizzard, UNC-Wilm. 33.6
Jamaal Gilchrist, A&M 33.2
Jason Williams, Duke 32.3
Julius Jenkins, Ga. Southern 32.3
TEXAS A&M FRESHMAN SCORING
Player, Year PPG
Bernard King, 1999-00 15.8
Damon Johnson, 1991-92 15.6
Vernon Smith, 1977-78 14.0
Rudy Woods, 1978-79 13.9
Todd Holloway, 1983-84 12.0
Jerald Brown, 1996-97 10.1
TEXAS A&M'S HIGHEST SCORING GUARDS
Player, Year (Cl.) PPG
Bennie Lenox, 1962-63 (Jr.) 23.7
Bennie Lenox, 1963-64 (Sr.) 20.8
Tony Milton, 1989-90 (Sr.) 20.6
Carroll Broussard, 1959-60 (So.) 17.9
Darryl McDonald, 1987-88 (Sr.) 16.0
Bernard King, 1999-00 (Fr.) 15.8
King Chases Record
Freshman guard Bernard King is averaging 2.63 three-pointers per game, well ahead of the Big 12 freshman record of 2.43 set by Texas' Luke Axtell in 1997-98. Last year, Kansas' Jeff Boschee made a Big 12 freshman record 79 treys in 33 games, but averaged only 2.39.
BIG 12 FRESHMAN 3-PT. FG PER GAME
Player, Year 3FG Avg.
Bernard King, A&M, 1999-00 50 2.63
Luke Axtell, Texas, 1997-98 68 2.43
Jeff Boschee, Kansas, 1998-99 79 2.39
Jerald Brown, A&M, 1996-97 54 2.00
Terry Evans, OU, 1989-90 58 1.82
Jamaal Stands Tall
A primary reason for the Aggies' improved play in recent weeks has been the play of freshman guard Jamaal Gilchrist. In the last six games, Gilchrist has posted a 1.73 assists-to-turnovers ratio. Through the first 13 games, Gilchrist had committed 20 more turnovers than assists (a 0.70 ratio). In the last six games, he has added 8.8 points, 4.3 assists and 3.0 rebounds while making 15-of-17 free throws (.882). 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. Gilchrist has started all 19 games, only the third freshman point guard to start in the first 19 games of his A&M career, and is averaging 8.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game and is also making a team-best 80.7 percent (45-56) from the free throw line. Gilchrist ranks third in the Big 12 in free throw percentage and ranks fourth in steals. Against Lamar, Gilchrist nailed a three-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime (A&M went on to lose, 76-69). Then, against Centenary, he tied the game on a driving lay-up with 11 seconds left, but the Aggies lost on a buzzer-beater. In the upset of Texas Tech in Lubbock, Gilchrist played one of his best overall games, scoring eight points with four rebounds, five assists and no turnovers. Gilchrist had made 17 straight free throws until he missed his last one against Oklahoma State on Jan. 22. In addition, until that miss, he had made 24 straight at Reed Arena.
Trimming Turnovers
Behind the improved play of freshman guard Jamaal Gilchrist, the Aggies had trimmed their turnovers dramatically in the four games prior to the Missouri debacle, when the Aggies had a season-high 29 turnovers. In the four games before Missouri, the Aggies averaged just 12.5 turnovers per game, including just nine in the upset of Oklahoma State, A&M's fewest turnovers in more than two years. The Aggies had 16 turnovers in the loss to Baylor, but only six in the second half.
Great Scott
Freshman swingman Larry Scott may be the biggest surprise of the Aggies' highly-touted freshman class. Scott started in the first 12 games and ranks fourth on the team in minutes played at 23.1 per game. Scott is averaging 8.0 points per game, and ranks among the Big 12 leaders in three-point accuracy at 40.0 percent (34-85). He has made at least two treys in 11 games and has connected on four in four games. Scott has posted eight double-figure scoring games, including a career-high 17 against North Texas. He tallied 10 against Oklahoma State on Jan. 22, including a 15-foot jumper with 1:41 left that game the Aggies a 60-57 lead they never lost.
Leftist Rebels
The Aggies have started at least three left-handed players in every game -- Bernard King, Jamaal Gilchrist and either Aaron Jack or Andy Slocum. Every other player on the team is a right-hander. King and Gilchrist are the only all-leftie backcourt in A&M history.
Warming Up
After shooting better than 50 percent in two of the first three games, the young Aggies had been ice cold from the field, making better than 45 percent just twice (La Salle and Texas Tech) going into the Iowa State game last Wednesday. But in the last three games, the Aggies have made 45.7 percent, well above the season percentage of .416 and the conference percentage of .407. A&M has posted six games under 40 percent, but against Texas Tech the Aggies made a warm 48.4 against a team that led the Big 12 in field goal percentage defense. Against Texas, A&M connected on just 29.1 percent, the seventh worst in school history.
Never Give Up
The Aggies have shown a propensity for falling behind, then mounting major comebacks this season. In 11 games, the Aggies have rallied from eight-point-or-more deficits to either lead or have a chance to take the lead. However, the Aggies went on to lose seven of those games. A&M rallied from a 25-point deficit with nine minutes left against Lamar to take a one-point lead, but went on to fall in overtime, 76-69. 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. On Dec. 21 against Dayton, the Aggies trailed by 22 points with six minutes left, but went on a 19-4 run to trim the margin to seven with 1:30 left before falling, 81-68. Against Santa Clara in the Cable Car Classic, the Aggies trailed by 24 points with 15:10 left, but trimmed the margin to 53-46 with 1:31 remaining before falling, 60-48. The Aggies trailed La Salle by 12 points at 61-49, with 6:47 left, but rallied for a 70-69 victory. Against Centenary, the Aggies trailed by 12 in the first half but came back to take a 55-53 lead with 3:37 left in the game before falling, 63-60. Against Texas Tech, A&M trailed 22-10 midway through the first half but came back to take a 62-50 lead with 15:30 left to play and held on for an 88-86 victory. Then, against Oklahoma State, the Aggies trailed by eight points early in the second half but came back to win, 64-59. Against Iowa State, A&M trailed by 11 in the first half and by 10 with 12 minutes to play, but came back to take a 54-53 lead with 3:30 left before falling, 65-58. Against Baylor, the Aggies trailed by 17 points with 5:46 left but rallied to within four points at 72-68 with :46 left before falling, 81-75.
COMING BACK
Opponent Deficit Comeback Final
North Texas 18 Cut to 2 L, 91-88
VCU 17 Won W, 75-59
Lamar 25 Led by 1 otL, 76-69
Dayton 22 Cut to 7 L, 81-68
Santa Clara 24 Cut to 7 L, 60-48
La Salle 12 Won W, 70-69
Centenary 12 Led by 2 L, 63-60
Texas Tech 12 Won W, 88-86
Oklahoma St. 8 Won W, 64-59
Iowa State 10 Led by 1 L, 65-59
Baylor 17 Cut to 4 L, 81-75
Halfway There
The Aggies have trailed at halftime in 15 games and are 3-12 in those games. The Aggies are 3-1 when they lead or are tied at halftime. Against Texas Tech, the Aggies took a 47-41 lead, only the third time they have led at halftime this season and the first since the Rice game on Dec. 11 (a span of seven games).
Charitable Moods
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. Early this season, the Aggies seemed to be off to a good start from the line, making 76.0 percent through the first four games (79-104). But in the last 15 games, the Aggies have made just 63.0 percent. Overall this season, the Aggies are making a cool 66.8 percent from the line to rank eighth in the Big 12. Against Oklahoma State on Jan. 22, the Aggies began the game a dismal 5-of-19 from the line, but connected on 10 of 12 in the last five minutes. Starting with the stretch against OSU, A&M has made 38 of its last 46 free throw attempts (.826). Solid free throw shooting is a trademark of Melvin Watkins-coached teams as his two squads at UNC Charlotte each led Conference USA.
On The Defensive
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 remaining nine non-conference games, including four wins and two overtime losses, the Aggies held their opponents to a combined 39.0 percent. Rice (.321) and Virginia Commonwealth (.328) each made less than 33 percent from the field against the Aggies. However, in Big 12 play, the Aggies eight opponents have combined to make a blazing 49.0 percent, ranking 11th in the league in field goal percentage defense. A&M's perimeter defense has even been more forgiving, allowing opponents to make better than 36 percent from three-point range in 11 different games. Overall, opponents have combined to make 38.6 percent of their three-pointers. While Iowa State, which led the Big 12 in field goal percentage at 50.3 percent, made just 43.8 percent against A&M, Baylor, one of the league's worst shooting teams, made a blazing .519.
Better Boards
The Aggies have also improved their rebounding since the start of the year, the Kansas game notwithstanding. After being out-rebounded by 16 boards (43-27) in the opener against North Carolina A&T, the Aggies have out-rebounded or equalled 13 of their last 18 opponents. Against A&T, A&M managed just five offensive boards but in the last 18 games has averaged 13.7. In addition, the Aggies have posted an average rebounding margin of +2.2 in the last 18 contests, despite being out-boarded by Kansas by a whopping +25. Oklahoma State out-rebounded the Aggies by 10 in the first half on Jan. 22, but the Aggies returned the favor in the second half and the teams each finished with 39 boards. The Aggies posted a +9 margin against Iowa State, which had ranked second in the Big 12.
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 18th best in the country by Basketball Times and the 22nd best 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. Anderson and Scott's high school team, Southern Lab in Baton Rouge, La., is ranked 20th nationally by USA Today. 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 among the nation's top 15 prep centers by The Sporting News?...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."
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. Bean I sitting out the 1999-2000 season.
Buzzer Beaters
A&M super-freshmen Bernard King and Jamaal Gilchrist have each hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer this season, while sophomore Andy Leatherman's put-back at the buzzer handed the Aggies an 88-86 win on Saturday at Texas Tech. Gilchrist hit his against Lamar to send the game into overtime (but the Aggies still lost, 76-69). King nailed his against La Salle for a 70-69 victory in the Cable Car Classic. Last season, Jerald Brown dropped in a shot banker at the buzzer for a 74-72 upset of Oklahoma in College Station, while Chris Clayton nailed a three at the buzzer for a 57-56 win against Baylor in Waco. Prior to last season, A&M had not won on a buzzer-beater since the 1996-97 season.
Sudden Impact
Through 19 games, the four of the Aggies' top five 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.
Dead-Eye Jack
Senior forward/ center Aaron Jack is averaging 8.7 points and a team-best 6.6 rebounds. Jack also has connected on 64.6 percent from the field to lead the Big 12 in field goal accuracy and rank eighth nationally. In Big 12 play, Jack is averaging 10.0 points and is making a blazing 69.6 percent from the field. 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. He matched his career-best rebounding total with 11 against Lamar and 11 against Dayton. In the upset of Oklahoma State, he scored 11 points with seven rebounds and a team-high four offensive boards. He made 3-of-4 free throws in the final 2:36 against the Cowboys to help preserve the 64-59 victory. Against Missouri, Jack equaled his career high with 14 points, making 7-of-8 from the field. Then, against Baylor, Jack scored a career-best 18 points with 10 rebounds, his second double-double. In the last four games, Jack has averaged 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and made 80.0 percent from the field (20-of-25).
Big Andy
Freshman center Andy Slocum, at 6-11, 255 pounds one of the largest players in school history, struggled through non-conference play but has shown rapid improvement since the start of Big 12 action. In non-league play, he averaged 3.1 points and 2.5 rebounds in just 14.5 minutes per game. But in Big 12 games, Slocum has averaged 5.5 points and 3.4 rebounds while averaging 18.2 minutes per game. Against Texas, Slocum helped limit Chris Mihm to just 12 points and six rebounds, while Kansas' Eric Chenowith managed just six points and five rebounds against the Aggies. Against Texas Tech, he scored a career-high nine points (all in the second half), with four rebounds in 20 minutes of play. He has started in six games, including the last four in a row.
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.
Fizer And The King
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 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." After Iowa State's hard-fought 65-58 win in Ames, Fizer hugged King after the game and said: "Keep your head up. You guys are going to go a long way together."
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. Ress has shown as much improvement as any player on the team since the start of the season. He reported to A&M weighing 207 pounds but last week tipped in at 222. Ress has started the last five games. In Big 12 action, he is averaging 6.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Against Missouri, he scored a career-high 22 points with a career-best eight rebounds while making 7-0f-10 from the field, 6-of-6 from the line and 2-of-2 from three-point range.
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. 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.
From Far and Wide
Texas A&M's active roster includes 13 players from eight states or countries, equaling the most states represented on a roster in a school history. The 1990-91, 1991-92 and 1994-95 teams also had players from 8 states/countries.
Bonfire Tribute
As a tribute to the 12 students who died in the Nov. 18 Bonfire tragedy on the Texas A&M campus, the Aggies basketball team will wear a black diamond-shaped patch embossed with the number 12 on their game shorts. On Thursday, seniors Aaron Jack and Jerald Brown visited John Comstock, the last remaining hospitalized victim, at College Station Medical Center and presented him with a basketball autographed by the entire team. Comstock will move to a rehabilitation center in Dallas next week.
Sinking Treys
The Aggies are on pace the break the school record set last season for average three-point field goals per game. Last year, A&M averaged 6.0 treys per game. Through 19 games this season, the Aggies are connecting on 6.4 three-pointers per contest, fifth most in the Big 12. The Aggies tied the school record with 12 three-pointers against Lamar, the broke the record with a 13-of-28 performance against Baylor.
MOST THREE-POINTERS MADE IN A GAME
Opponent, Year 3-Pt. FG
Baylor, 1999-2000 13
Lamar, 1999-2000 12
Rice, 1989-90 12
Connecticut, 1989-90 11
Rice, 1990-91 11
Pacific, 1995-96 11
Giving ?˜Em Up
While the Aggies are making a record number of treys of their own, they are also giving up a bunch. The Aggies are allowing a whopping 7.5 three-pointers per game while the opponents are connecting on a blazing 38.6 percent. Last season, A&M allowed a school-record 6.6 treys per game at 35.2 percent, fourth highest in school annals. The Aggies have allowed at least 10 three-pointers in six games and have allowed nine or more in 10 games.
MOST THREE-POINTERS ALLOWED IN A GAME
Opponent, Year 3-Pt. FG
Oklahoma, 1998-99 15
UNLV, 1993-94 14
North Texas, 1999-2000 13
Oklahoma, 1988-89 13
Lamar, 1999-2000 12
La Salle, 1999-2000 12
Sacramento State, 1987-88 12
Dayton, 1999-2000 11
