Men's BasketballFebruary 09, 2001

Texas A&M at Texas Tech

FT Pct. .690 .671 Opp FT Pct. .671 .701 Off. Reb. 13.7 12.2 Total Rebounds 37.8 37.5 Reb. Margin +2.3 -0.9 Assists 12.8 16.2 Turnovers 16.8 16.1 Blocks 1.8 3.8 Steals 6.0 7.1 Fouls 21.8 17.0

February 09, 2001

Game #23

Texas A&M Aggies (7-15, 1-9 in Big 12)

vs.

Texas Tech Red Raiders (8-11, 2-6 in Big 12)

Saturday, Feb. 10, 2001

12:47 p.m. (CST)

United Spirit Arena (15,000 cap.)

Lubbock, Texas

Radio

Texas A&M Radio Network (Regional)

Dave South, Play-by-Play

Al Pulliam, Commentary

Airtime: 12:30 p.m. (CST)

Television

ESPN Plus (Regional)

Bill Doleman, play-by-play

Reid Gettys, commentary

TALE OF THE TAPE

Statistic A&M Tech

W-L Record 7-15 8-11

ESPN/USA Today -- --

Associated Press -- --

Sagarin Rating #193 #163

RPI #149 #135

Scoring 68.7 72.9

Opp. Scoring 75.5 75.3

Scoring Margin -6.8 -2.4

FG Pct. .415 .438

Opp. FG Pct. .454 .447

3-Pt. Pct. .289 .316

Opp. 3-Pt. Pct. .355 .355

3-Pt. FG 4.3 5.6

Opp. 3-Pt. FG 6.9 6.5

FT Pct. .690 .671

Opp FT Pct. .671 .701

Off. Reb. 13.7 12.2

Total Rebounds 37.8 37.5

Reb. Margin +2.3 -0.9

Assists 12.8 16.2

Turnovers 16.8 16.1

Blocks 1.8 3.8

Steals 6.0 7.1

Fouls 21.8 17.0

For the rest of the season, Texas A&M and the Big 12 Conference will honor the victims of the Jan. 27 plane crash that killed 10 members of the Oklahoma State basketball family by wearing armbands and ribbons. Among those killed were basketball SID Will Hancock, a fine gentlemen and one of the true professionals in our business.

The Texas A&M Aggies (7-15, 1-9) hope to build on the momentum of winning their first conference game when they play Texas Tech Red Raiders (11-8, 2-6) at 12:47 p.m. (CST) at the United Spirit Arena (15,000 cap.) in Lubbock. The Aggies are coming off a 73-69 victory against Baylor at home on Tuesday, which ended a nine-game losing streak. Tech has lost four straight games and is coming off an 80-72 loss at No. 21-ranked Oklahoma on Wednesday. A&M is 0-8 in road games this season while the Red Raiders are 5-5 at home. The Aggies have lost 14 straight road games since beating Tech, 88-86, last season in Lubbock, the teams' first meeting at the United Spirit Arena. The Red Raiders lead the series, 53-47, with a 30-13 lead in games played in Lubbock.

About the Red Raiders

Texas Tech returns four starters from last year's team that finished 12-16 overall and finished 11th in the Big 12 with a 3-13 mark. In league play this season, Tech has beaten Baylor (68-58) and No. 21-ranked Oklahoma (60-59) at home. The Red Raiders are led by junior center Andy Ellis (6-11), who is averaging 15.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, while senior forward Cliff Owens (6-8) is adding 12.3 points and a team-best 7.4 rebounds. Junior guard Jamal Brown (6-0) is scoring 12.1 points per game and ranks among the national leaders in assists with 7.1 per contest. As a team, Tech is averaging 72.9 points per game while making 43.8 percent from the field. The Red Raiders are allowing 75.3 points and 44.7 percent field goal shooting.

A&M-Tech Series

The Red Raiders lead the series, 53-47, with a 31-15 edge in games played in Lubbock. However, A&M won last year in Lubbock in the first meeting at the United Spirit Arena, 88-86. Tech has won five of the last six games in Lubbock. The teams have split the last four meetings, but prior to that, Tech had won nine straight.

TEXAS A&M vs. TEXAS TECH (Last 16 games)

Year Winner Site

1999-00 Tech, 76-64

A&M, 88-86 College Station (Reed)

Lubbock (USA)

1998-99 A&M, 68-47

Tech, 82-68 College Station (Reed)

Lubbock (Coliseum)

1997-98 Tech, 86-83

Tech, 102-75 College Station (GRW)

Lubbock (Coliseum)

1996-97 Tech, 77-66

Tech, 80-65 Lubbock (Coliseum)

College Station (GRW)

1995-96 Tech, 85-57

Tech, 66-63

Tech, 82-54 Dallas (SWC Classic)

College Station (GRW)

Lubbock (Coliseum)

1994-95 Tech, 79-53

A&M, 90-80 Lubbock (Coliseum)

College Station (GRW)

1993-94 A&M, 89-85

Tech, 89-80

A&M, 89-88 Dallas (SWC Classic)

College Station (GRW)

Lubbock (Coliseum)

Watkins Quoteboard

"We always have very competitive games with Texas Tech. You always look at the matchups you have going into a game and Tech presents some real matchup problems for us with the kids they have inside. That makes it a very difficult game for us. They also have one of the better points guards in the Big 12 with Jamal Brown. He can break you down off the dribble and create offense for himself as well as his teammates."

Tentative Starters

TEXAS A&M AGGIES (7-15, 1-9)

# Player Pos. Ht. Cl. ppg rpg

24 Carlton Brown F 6-6 Sr. 11.0 5.9

5 Nick Anderson F 6-6 Fr. 8.7 5.1

44 Nolan Butterfras C 6-10 Fr. 2.7 1.7

32 Bernard King G 6-5 So. 17.9 4.7a

22 Andy Leatherman G 6-3 Jr. 6.6 2.9

TEXAS A&M INJURIES: NICK ANDERSON, sprained ankle (probable); BERNARD KING, back strain, sprained ankle (probable); AARON JACK, concussion (out for season); TOMAS RESS, pelvic bone infection (out for season); ANDY SLOCUM, right shoulder surgery (out for season).

TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS (8-11, 2-6 Big 12)

# Player Pos. Ht. Cl. ppg rpg

13 Cliff Owens F 6-8 Sr. 12.3 7.4

55 Andy Ellis C 6-11 Jr. 15.4 6.7

23 Mikey Marshall G 6-4 Fr. 3.6 3.1

10 Marcus Shropshire G 6-0 Fr. 6.2 1.6

11 Jamal Brown G 6-0 Jr. 12.1 7.1a

Head Coaches

TEXAS A&M: Melvin Watkins (UNC Charlotte '77)

26-50, 3rd year at A&M

68-70, 5th year overall

2-2 vs. James Dickey

2-2 vs. Texas Tech

TEXAS TECH: James Dickey (Central Arkansas '76)

165-116 in 10th year at Tech

165-116 in 10th year overall

2-2 vs. Melvin Watkins

13-5 vs. Texas A&M

Baylor Recap

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP)-- Nick Anderson scored 14 points to lead Texas A&M to a 73-69 victory over Baylor Tuesday night. A&M shot 47 percent for the second straight game to win its first Big 12 game, ending a nine-game skid. Baylor outrebounded the Aggies 45-34. Five Aggies scored in double figures, led by Anderson. Jesse King scored 13 and Bernard King scored 11. Nolan Butterfras and Andy Leatherman each scored 10. Four players scored 63 of Baylor's 69 points. Terry Black led the Bears with 21. Greg Davis scored 15, along with 14 from Demarcus Minor and 13 from Wendell Greenleaf. The Aggies capitalized on 14 Baylor turnovers in the first half to build a 13-point lead. Baylor opened the second half on a 14-4 run, cutting A&M's lead to just three. A 6uof-9 performance on the free-throw line during the final minute was enough to help the Aggies outlast the Bears.

Last Time vs. TT

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP)-- Freshman Ronald Hobbs, making his first college start, scored a career high 22 points as Texas Tech defeated Texas A&M 76-64 on Feb. 19 at Reed Arena. The Red Raiders were leading 66-51 with 4:08 left to play, but the Aggies cut that lead to 70-64 with 53 seconds left before the Raiders pulled away again. Tech made 7-of-8 free throws in the final minute to keep the game out of reach. The Red Raiders broke away from a 21-19 lead midway in the first half on a 21-8 run that gave them a 42-27 halftime lead. Bernard King led Texas A&M's second-half rally, hitting 19 of his 21 points after the break. But Hobbs had 12 of his points in the second half to keep the Raiders in the lead.

Last Year in Lubbock

LUBBOCK, Texas-- Andy Leatherman's layup at the buzzer handed Texas A&M a controversial 88-86 victory over Texas Tech on Jan. 15 at the United Spirit Arena. Official Charles Range ruled that Leatherman's basket beat the clock, setting off a storm of protest from Tech coach James Dickey and his players. The confusion lasted 39 minutes until officials finally declared A&M the winner. Tech's James Ware nailed a 3-pointer with 8.6 seconds remaining to tie the game, capping a furious comeback by Tech. A&M had built a 77-66 lead with 5:40 to play after a 3-pointer by Bernard King. Tech led, 22-10, midway through the first half, but the Aggies closed strong to take a 47-41 halftime lead, only the third time all season the Aggies led at intermission. Carlton Brown, who finished with 22 points, scored 18 in the first half to lead the Aggies. A&M took its biggest lead with 15:37 left in the game when King hit a 3-pointer for a 62-50 lead. Rayford Young led Tech with 24 points, while Andy Ellis added 21 points and 11 rebounds. King added 15 points and Andy Slocum scored a career-high 12 for the Aggies. The last time A&M won a game at Lubbock was 1994, when a last-second basket triggered a brawl.

Babes of Big 12

With seven freshmen on the roster, last year's Aggies were the youngest team in school history and perhaps the youngest in college basketball. At least three, and sometimes four, true freshmen started in every game. The 1978-79 and 1991-92 teams each had six freshmen. The 2000-01 Aggies are still one of the youngest teams in college basketball with just one remaining senior (after losing Aaron Jack for the year), one non-scholarship junior, seven sophomores and four freshmen. Using rosters on each Big 12 school's website as reference, the Aggies have the fewest upperclassmen (2) and the most underclassmen (11) in the Big 12 this season. In addition, of 44 junior college products listed on Big 12 rosters, A&M has just one.

Undermanned, Undersized

In addition to being the Big 12's youngest team, because of injuries the Aggies may well be the shortest and most undermanned. Only eight true scholarship players grace the Aggies' active roster, including Larry Scott, who has played in just 13 games (7.8 min. per game) after suffering an early-season ankle injury. On the first day of classes in September, the Aggies lost freshman Trayvean Scott, who became homesick and withdrew from school. The freshman was expected to offer immediate help at the guard positions. The Aggies have lost three post players u senior Aaron Jack (6-9) and sophomores Andy Slocum (6-11) and Tomas Ress (6-11) u for the season due to injuries. For most of the season, A&M's tallest starter has been 6-8 sophomore Keith Bean, but 6-10 freshman Nolan Butterfras has started the last two games.

"Radar" Overloaded

Longtime A&M basketball trainer Mike "Radar" Ricke, in his 19th year with the program, said prior to the season that the Aggies suffered more preseason health problems than at anytime since he's been at A&M. Since the season started, the trend has only worsened. First, the Aggies lost Andy Slocum for the year with a shoulder injury. Then, Tomas Ress and Aaron Jack were hospitalized in late October, Ress with at staph infection and Jack with a concussion . Ress returned briefly but was later lost for the year. Jack came back to suffer a severe sprained ankle against North Carolina, a hyperextended a knee against Saint Louis and yet another concussion against Colorado on Jan. 13, ending his career. Sophomore Larry Scott suffered a severely sprained ankle in practice on Nov. 28 and has played sparingly since. Dylan Leal missed all three games at the Rainbow Classic with an infection on his calf, while Brian Brookhart missed the same three games after becoming ill. Slocum (14), Ress (12), Scott (14) and Jack (23) each started at least 12 games last year. In addition, guard Bernard King has played most of the season with a strained back.

Shooting Improves

The Aggies have made 46.7 percent from the field in the last two games after making just 35.5 percent in the first eight Big 12 games. The Aggies have shot better than 41 percent in just three league games. The Aggies made a meager 28.6 percent from the field in the conference opener against Kansas State, the sixth worst shooting game in A&M history. In six of 10 Big 12 games, the Aggies have made less than 37 percent (including two under 31 percent). The Aggies are making just 37.6 percent from the field and 25.6 percent from three-point range in Big 12 play. Earlier this season, A&M made just 28.9 percent in a home loss to Birmingham Southern. But in only eight games overall have the Aggies made less than 40 percent (in non-conference play: North Carolina (.373) and Saint Louis (.373)). The Aggies have made at least 45 percent in 10 games. Last year, A&M made better than 45 percent in just nine games all season. Overall, A&M has connected on 41.5 percent, which would be the fourth worst in school history if the season were finished. In the Aggies' seven wins, they have connected on 47.0 percent from the field (to 39.7 by their opponents) while in the 15 losses they have made just 38.9 percent (to 48.1 percent by their opponents).

Difference Between Night and Day

The Aggies are 5-1 at home this season in night games, 0-4 at home in day games. Statistically, the way the Aggies have played at night is dramatically different than how they have performed in day games. In eight day games, A&M has made just 36.8 percent from the field, while in 14 night games the Aggies have made 44.4 percent. In day games, A&M has made just 21.3 percent from three-point range while at night the Aggies have connected on 34.5 percent. For sophomore guard Bernard King, the difference is equally dramatic. In day games, King averages 16.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and is making just 31.2 percent from the field and 18.3 percent from three-point range. In night games, King averages 19.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and has made 48.4 percent from the field and 43.1 percent from three-point range.

Looking Back

The beginning of Big 12 play marked a brutal stretch for the young Aggies, who faced six ranked opponents in their first nine league games, along with road games against Oklahoma State and Colorado. The young Aggies are 0-9 after that stretch. The Aggies faced a similar stretch last year, with five of their first nine league games against ranked foes, including road trips to then-unranked Iowa State and Missouri. A&M went 2-7 in that stretch last season, beating No. 12-ranked Oklahoma State and Texas Tech.

On the Glass

Despite starting no player taller than 6-8, the Aggies were a solid rebounding team entering Big 12 play. In 12 non-conference games, A&M posted an average margin of +8.8 (ranking among the Big 12's top rebounding teams) and were out-rebounded just twice (-3 vs. George Washington, -1 vs. North Carolina). But in 10 Big 12 games, the Aggies have been out-rebounded seven times, with an average margin of -5.5. The only Big 12 foes A&M has beaten on the boards are Texas (38-34) and Oklahoma (32-23), both in College Station (the Colorado game was even, 38-38). In the three games prior to the start of Big 12 play, A&M had posted an average margin of +16.3. The Aggies out-boarded Manhattan by 21 and Detroit by 22. Prior to that game, Detroit had been out-rebounded just once all season. The Aggies have been consistently effective on the offensive boards, ranking among the conference leaders with 13.7 offensive rebounds per game (12.9 in Big 12 play). The Aggies had a season-high 20 offensive rebounds against Kansas. A&M has had at least 12 offensive boards in all but five games this season. In five other games this season, all in non-conference play, the Aggies posted double-digit rebounding margins.

King Rises Again

Sophomore guard Bernard King, the 2000 Big 12 Freshman of the Year and a preseason All-Big 12 selection, leads the team in scoring with an 17.9 average, ranking third in the Big 12. The last A&M guard to average more in a season was Tony Milton, who averaged 20.6 in 1989-90. King overcame a severe early-season shooting slump u through the first four games, King had made just 2-of-20 three-pointers (.100) and was averaging just 12.5 points per game. Then, in the eight games following, King connected on 27-of-63 (.429) three pointers, averaging 20.9 points in that stretch. He again struggled in the first five Big 12 games, making just 7-of-34 from three-point range (.206). But in the last five games, he's made 40.9percent (9-of-22) and averaged 18.1 points. He sprained an ankle in the opening minute of the Oklahoma game in Norman and did not score in the first half (0-0 FG), but went on to score 17 in the second half. Against No. 12-ranked North Carolina (now No. 1) in December, he scored a game-high 25 points. He scored 23 against No. 24-ranked Texas in College Station and added 18 against No. 5 Kansas. Against Lamar, King scored a season-high 30 points in just 27 minutes (his fourth career 30+ game) and tied the school record with eight three-pointers (11 att.). His six treys in the second half tied the Big 12 record. King also leads the team in assists (4.7), sixth in the Big 12. He has scored in double figures in 13 straight games and in 20 of 22 games this season. King and Oklahoma State's Maurice Baker are the only Big 12 players to rank in the top 13 in the league in scoring, assists and steals.

Jolly St. Nick

The preseason media and coaches pick as Big 12 Freshman of the Year, Nick Anderson has lived up to his billing. In the win against Baylor, Anderson scored a team-high 14 points , making 7-of-13 from the field, along with three assists and two steals. Anderson put together back-to-back double doubles in the Aggies two wins in Hawaii, scoring 22 points with 15 rebounds against Manhattan and scoring 10 points with 12 boards against Detroit, despite playing on a sprained ankle. For the season, Anderson ranks third on the team in scoring (8.7) and in rebounding (5.1). He also leads the team in blocked shots (16). Overall, he has posted three double-doubles and has scored in double figures nine times. He posted a team-high 13 points against Colorado. A Parade High School All-American, Anderson is the only freshman in the Big 12 to start every game this year. Among the league's freshmen, he ranks fourth in scoring and third in rebounding and blocked shots.

Mr. Bean Finds His Game

Sophomore Keith Bean, a transfer from North Carolina State who sat out last season, is averaging 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds overall, and in league play has averaged a team-best 5.9 rebounds. Bean has hauled down at least six rebounds in nine of the last 13 games. He scored 16 points and had a career-high 10 rebounds against Centenary, his first career double-double. Bean has scored in double figures in six games, including an 11-point, five-rebound effort against No. 12-ranked North Carolina. Bean has started in 19 of 22 games, but has come off the bench in the last two games. Bean scored a career-high 17 points against Virginia Commonwealth. Bean weighed in at 300 pounds last spring, but shed almost 60 pounds in the off-season.

Tough as Leatherman

Junior guard Andy Leatherman, a former walk-on who was put on scholarship for this season, has started the last 15 games at point guard. In Big 12 play, he is averaging 6.8 points and 3.1 rebounds. After going scoreless against Kansas, he came back to score 15 against Oklahoma State. Against Texas in College Station, he posted a career-high six rebounds. For the season, Leatherman is adding 2.0 assists per game. He ranks third on the team in assists and steals (19), second in three-point field goals (22) and leads in free throw percentage (.796). He scored a career-high 16 points against Birmingham Southern, then followed with a team-high 15 points against Morris Brown. He scored 11 points with six rebounds in the win against Manhattan. His eight first-half points against Oklahoma in Norman helped keep the Aggies close. His 22 three-pointers in this year surpasses his total in his first two years combined (17 in 47 games).

Brown Searching for Groove

Forward Carlton Brown was off to an impressive senior season, averaging 15.3 points and 7.5 rebounds, while making 56.8 percent from the field, going into conference play. But in Big 12 play, he has averaged just 5.9 points and 4.0 rebounds while making 41.9 percent from the field. He scored 14 points with eight boards against both Kansas and Oklahoma State, his most points and rebounds since the Rainbow Classic in late December, and had nine points and seven boards against Iowa State. But in the last three games, he's averaged 2.0 points and 1.7 rebounds in just 14.7 minutes per game. Brown leads the team in dunks with 11, and also leads in rebounding (5.9) and ranks second in field goal percentage (.517), scoring (11.0) and free throw percentage (.773). As a junior college transfer last season, Brown averaged just 6.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Against Detroit Mercy, Brown tied his career-high with 24 points and added 13 rebounds. He has posted four double-double this season, tied for eighth most in the league. Earlier this season at Virginia Commonwealth, Brown scored 20 points with a career-high 18 rebounds, tying for the 13th most boards in school history (and the most by an Aggie in six years). He has started in all 22 games, scoring in double figures 12 times.

Gilchrist Looks for Consistency

Sophomore point guard Jamaal Gilchrist, who started the first 35 games of his career but has come off the bench in the last 15 contests, is averaging 7.0 points and 2.2 assists while making 76.5 percent from the free throw line. Last year as a freshman, Gilchrist ranked second on the team in scoring (9.4) and assists (3.9). Gilchrist scored 12 points in each of the first two games, then against Virginia Commonwealth, he scored a season-high 15 points, making 11-of-12 from the free throw line, including two with 2.9 seconds left to send the game into overtime. Against Saint Louis in the first round of the Rainbow Classic, he scored 14 points. In the last 10 games, Gilchrist has made 30-of-36 from the free throw line (.833). He scored nine points with four assists and tied his career best with five steals in the win against Baylor.

Jesse Makes An Impact

Freshman Jesse King has emerged as one of the Aggies most productive players in the last three games, averaging 10.3 points and 5.3 rebounds (including 3.0 offensive boards) in that stretch. King scored a career-high 13 points with five boards in the win against Baylor. King gained his eligibility and began practicing with the team on Dec. 17. The 6-7, 216-pounder from Detroit, Mich. (Pershing HS) has three years of eligibility remaining. Against Texas in Austin, King scored 10 points and tied his best with six rebounds. King has played in 13 straight games, averaging 3.7 points and 3.5 rebounds overall and 4.3 points and 3.6 rebounds in Big 12 play. King pulled down a career-best six rebounds in consecutive games against Colorado and Texas (in College Station) and scored five points against Saint Louis. King played at Winchendon (Mass.) School last year, averaging 18.1 points and 13.0 rebounds per game. In high school, he earned all-state honors and was rated among the top 10 players in Michigan after averaging 19.3 points, 11.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. Midwest Hoops compared King to former Pershing standout Steve Smith, now with the NBA's Atlanta Hawks.

Watkins Among "Best Dressed"

Texas A&M's Melvin Watkins ranked third this week on College Hoops Insider's Fashion Power Index, behind only Cincinnati's Bob Huggins and Kent State's Gary Waters. "There are some sporty coaches in the Big 12, but chasing down Watkins on the runway would be the season's biggest upset," CSI said.

Free Falling

When Melvin Watkins arrived as A&M's head coach in 1998, one of the Aggies' greatest weaknesses was their free throw shooting. In 1997-98, the Aggies set a school record for the worst free throw percentage in school history, making just 57.9 percent to finish last in the Big 12. In 1998-99 under Watkins, the Aggies improved to 68.9 percent, third in the conference, and last year made 67.0 percent to rank seventh in the league. This season, the Aggies are making 69.0 percent, fifth in the Big 12. In Big 12 play, A&M is making 69.7 percent, also fifth best in the league. Through the first five games, the Aggies were making 73.0 percent, but then made less than 60 percent in four straight games. But the Aggies have made better than 70 percent in seven of the last 11 games, including 40-of-48 in the last two minutes of close games (.833). In the last five games, the Aggies have made 68.9 percent, despite making a season-low 52.2 percent (12-23) in the win against Baylor.

Turnover Woes Lessen

The biggest reason for the Aggies' struggles this season is turnovers. For the season, A&M has handed out 282 assists while committing a whopping 370 turnovers. In the seven wins, the Aggies have averaged 15.1 assists to 15.3 turnovers, a roughly even ratio. But in the 15 losses, the Aggies have averaged just 11.1 assists and 17.9 turnovers. The Aggies are 1-9 this season when committing 19 or more turnovers. In 17 of 22 games, the Aggies have had more turnovers than assists, including 13 of the last 16 games (A&M is 4-1 when it has an even or better ratio). The Aggies are 2-12 when handing out 13 or fewer assists and are 5-3 when dishing out 14 or more. Through the first 17 games, A&M was averaging 18.0 turnovers with 13 games with at least 15 turnovers. But in the last five games, the Aggies have averaged 12.8 with no more than 14 in any game. The Aggies 21-12 assists-to-turnovers margin against Baylor was a season best (and the program's best since a n identical 21-12 margin against Kansas State last season).The last time A&M had a greater margin was against Missouri in 1999 (28-14).

Making Their Point

When the Aggies score at least 70 points this season, they are 7-4. When A&M's opponents score less than 70 points, the Aggies are 5-1.