February 13, 2001
Game #24
Texas A&M Aggies (8-15, 2-9 in Big 12)
vs.
UT-Pan American Broncs (10-14)
Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2001
7 p.m. (CST)
Reed Arena (12,500 cap.)
College Station, Texas
Radio
Texas A&M Radio Network (Regional)
Dave South, Play-by-Play
Al Pulliam, Commentary
Airtime: 6:45 p.m. (CST)
Television
None
TALE OF THE TAPE
Statistic A&M UTPA
W-L Record 8-15 10-14
ESPN/USA Today -- --
Associated Press -- --
Sagarin Rating #184 #217
RPI #142 #267
Scoring 68.9 77.0
Opp. Scoring 75.2 72.7
Scoring Margin -6.3 +4.3
FG Pct. .417 .483
Opp. FG Pct. .449 .450
3-Pt. Pct. .288 .384
Opp. 3-Pt. Pct. .353 .333
3-Pt. FG 4.2 8.0
Opp. 3-Pt. FG 6.8 6.1
FT Pct. .686 .645
Opp FT Pct. .687 .680
Off. Reb. 13.5 13.1
Total Rebounds 37.9 35.0
Reb. Margin +2.1 +0.6
Assists 12.9 15.0
Turnovers 16.8 16.1
Blocks 2.0 2.2
Steals 6.0 9.7
Fouls 21.9 20.6
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.
Riding the momentum of a two-game winning streak, the Texas A&M Aggies (8-15) take a break from the rigors of Big 12 Conference play on Wednesday when they play host to the Texas-Pan American Broncs (10-14) in a non-conference game at 7 p.m. (CST) at Reed Arena (12,500 cap.) in College Station. The Aggies are coming off a 72-70 victory against Texas Tech on Saturday in Lubbock, while the Broncs, an independent, have won two of their last three games but are coming off a 93-71 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette at home on Monday. A&M is 5-5 at home this season while UT-Pan American is 1-11 in road games. The Aggies beat Baylor, 73-69, on Feb. 6 in their last home game. A&M leads the series against the Broncs, 2-1, but UT-Pan American won the last meeting, 97-79, in the 1989 Jowers Jamboree in San Marcos.
About the Broncs
Texas-Pan American returns four starters and seven lettermen from last year's team that finished 12-16. Among the Broncs wins this season are impressive victories against Air Force (66-60) and Oral Roberts (81-62). Six of their losses have been by five points or fewer, including a 69-68 loss at Kansas State. The Broncs are led by senior guard Brian Merriweather (6-3) averages 18.4 points and leads the nation in three-point field goals with 3.9 per game. Junior guard Mire Chatman (6-2) adds 16.7 points and ranks eighth nationally in steals with 3.0 per game, while senior forward John Braxton (6-4) is averaging 11.0 points. Merriweather, Chatman and Braxton have combined for 175 treys.
A&M-UTPA Series
The Aggies lead the series, 2-1, but the Broncs won the last meeting, 97-79, in the first round of the 1989 Jowers Jamboree in San Marcos. A&M won the only previous meeting in College Station by a score of 74-67 at G. Rollie White Coliseum in 1985-86. A&M won the first game in the series, 74-53, in Edinburg in 1984-85.
TEXAS A&M vs. UT-PAN AMERICAN (A&M leads, 2-1)
Year Winner Site
1989-90 UTPA, 97-79 San Marcos, Texas (Jowers Jamboree)
1985-86 A&M, 74-67 College Station (GRW)
1984-85 A&M, 74-53 Edinburg, Texas
Watkins Quoteboard
"Texas-Pan American is a very dangerous team. Brian Merriweather is one of the top shooters in the country and scores a lot of points, but they have several other good players as well. They have lost a lot of close games, but they've beaten some good teams, too. We kept telling our players that if they continued to work hard, good things would happen and they have. We are getting more balanced scoring with several of our young players really stepping up their games."
Tentative Starters
TEXAS A&M AGGIES (8-15, 2-9)
# Player Pos. Ht. Cl. ppg rpg
24 Carlton Brown F 6-6 Sr. 10.8 5.7
5 Nick Anderson F 6-6 Fr. 9.1 5.1
44 Nolan Butterfras C 6-10 Fr. 3.1 2.0
32 Bernard King G 6-5 So. 17.7 4.7a
22 Andy Leatherman G 6-3 Jr. 6.3 2.9
TEXAS A&M INJURIES: NICK ANDERSON, sprained ankle (probable); NOLAN BUTTERFRAS, bruised knee (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-PAN AMERICAN BRONCS (10-14)
# Player Pos. Ht. Cl. ppg rpg
11 John Braxton F 6-4 Sr. 11.0 4.2
21 Kyle Sanders F 6-5 Jr. 8.1 4.7
22 Terrell Hill F 6-7 Jr. 5.4 5.7
1 Kwasinda Curtis G 6-1 Sr. 6.3 5.2a
23 Brian Merriweather G 6-3 Sr. 18.4 2.5
Head Coaches
TEXAS A&M: Melvin Watkins (UNC Charlotte '77)
28-50, 3rd year at A&M
70-70, 5th year overall
0-0 vs. Bob Hoffman
2-2 vs. UT-Pan American
TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN: Bob Hoffman (Oklahoma Baptist '79)
22-30 in second year at UTPA
352-125 in 14th year overall
0-0 vs. Melvin Watkins
0-0 vs. Texas A&M
Quick Notes
The Aggies are 6-1 when holding their opponents to 70 points or less and are 8-4 when scoring more than 70.
Prior to the two game winning streak, A&M was 0-8 when out-rebounded, but the Aggies beat Baylor and Texas Tech despite being out-boarded both games.
In the first 19 games, A&M averaged just 17.2 bench points per game, but in the last four games, they have averaged 23.5 (25.5 in the last two games).
In the last two games, the A&M frontcourt has averaged 46.5 points (64.1 percent of the team's scoring).
The Aggies have made better than 45 percent from the field in three straight games after making less than 41 percent in each of the previous six games.
The freshman trio of Nick Anderson, Jesse King and Nolan Butterfras has combined to average 32.0 points in the last three games.
Who's Hot?
In the last 18 games, Bernard King has averaged 18.9 points per game. King has scored in double figures in 14 straight games.
Freshman Jesse King, who joined the team at mid-term, has averaged 9.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in the last four games, including a career-high 13 points against Baylor.
Freshman Nick Anderson has led the team in scoring in two straight games and has scored in double figures in three straight, averaging 14.0 points in that stretch.
Freshman Nolan Butterfras has posted consecutive games of 10 points and seven rebounds in the last two games. He has made 61.5 percent from the field (16-26) in the last five games.
In the last two games, sophomore Jamaal Gilchrist has come off the bench to average 9.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 4.5 steals.
Tech Recap
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP)-- Nick Anderson scored 18 points to lead Texas A&M to a 72-70 victory over Texas Tech on Saturday. The Aggies expanded their lead in the second half to as much as 13 points, 68-55 with 6:27 remaining. But the Red Raiders then went on a 15-4 run that brought them within a point of the Aggies, 68-67, with a minute left. Bernard King hit two free throws and Keith Bean hit another, putting the Aggies up by four, 71-67. A foul in the final seconds by Tech allowed the Aggies to seal the victory. The Aggies' last visit to Lubbock ended controversially on Jan. 15, 2000. Big 12 referee Charles Range was suspended the day after the game, which ended in an 88-86 victory for A&M following the counting of an A&M basket at the final buzzer. Tech fans didn't forget the incident Saturday, holding up signs that read, ''86-86 Overtime Starts Now.'' King scored 13 points for the Aggies and Nolan Butterfras added 10. Tech was led by Cliff Owens 17 points, and Andy Ellis had 13. The Aggies led 41-37 at the half, breaking away from a 37-37 tie on a King basket with 45 seconds left in the half. 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.
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 46.3 percent from the field in the last three games after making just 35.5 percent in the first eight Big 12 games. The Aggies have shot better than 41 percent in just four 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 Big 12 games, the Aggies have made less than 37 percent (including two under 31 percent). The Aggies are making just 38.4 percent from the field and 25.5 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 11 games. Last year, A&M made better than 45 percent in just nine games all season. Overall, A&M has connected on 41.7 percent. In the Aggies' eight wins, they have connected on 46.8 percent from the field (to 39.1 by their opponents) while in the 15 losses they have made just 38.9 percent (to 48.1 percent by their opponents).
Refinished Bench
In the last four games, the Aggies have averaged 23.5 bench points per game, 35 percent of the team's points. In the first 19 games, A&M averaged 17.2 bench points, just 22 percent of the team's points. In the last two games, the Aggies have averaged 25.5 bench points.
Balancing Act
Perhaps the biggest reason for the Aggies' improved play in recent games is better balance in the scoring column. In each of the last two games, at least five players have scored a minimum of nine points (6 vs. Baylor, 5 vs. Tech). Earlier this season, five Aggies scored nine or more points in a win against Centenary and seven did in a double overtime loss at Virginia Commonwealth. In the first nine Big 12 games, an average of just 2.4 players per game scored at least nine points. In the last two games, five players are averaging at least nine points with four in double figures.
Getting the Ball Inside
The Aggies have also been more successful in recent games in working the ball inside. In the first 20 games, the A&M frontcourt averaged just 34.3 points per game, but in the last three games, the frontcourt has averaged 45.3 points. In those three games, A&M has attempted 162 shots, but only 26 have been from beyond the three-point line (an average of 54 total attempts and less than nine three-point tries). Prior to those three games, A&M averaged 56 field goal attempts per game, including 16 three-point attempts. In addition, the Aggies have scored a Big 12 season-high 34 points in the paint in each of the last two games after averaging just 19.6 in the first nine league games.
On the Glass
King vs. Ranked Teams in '00-01
vs. #12 North Carolina: 25 pts, 5-9 3-Pt., 5 stl
vs. #19 Oklahoma: 17 pts, 3-5 3-Pt., 3 stl, 4 ast
vs. #24 Texas: 23 pts, 9-18 FG, 3 stl
vs. #5 Kansas: 18 pts, 6 ast, 3 stl
vs. #17 Iowa State: 21 pts, 6 ast
vs. #24 Texas: 21 pts, 2-2 3-Pt., 3 stl, 3 ast
vs. #21 Oklahoma: 18 pts, 5-10 FG, 7-8 FT, 4 ast
Averages vs. Ranked Foes:
Points: 20.4
Rebounds: 3.8
Assists: 3.7
Steals: 2.4
3-Pt.: 16-43 (2.3 avg.), .372
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 11 Big 12 games, the Aggies have been out-rebounded eight times, with an average margin of -5.2. 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 13.5 offensive rebounds per game (12.6 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 six games this season. In five other games, 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 17.7 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 six games, he's made 34.6 percent (9-of-26) and averaged 17.3 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 14 straight games and in 21 of 23 games this season. King and Oklahoma State's Maurice Baker are the only Big 12 players to rank in the top 15 in the league in scoring, assists, steals and three-point field goals. The Aggies are 5-3 when King hands out at least five assists.
Jolly St. Nick
The preseason media and coaches pick as Big 12 Freshman of the Year, Nick Anderson has lived up to his billing. Anderson earned Big 12 Rookie of the Week honors this week after leading the team in scoring last week in wins against Baylor and Texas Tech. In the In the win against Baylor, Anderson scored 14 points , making 7-of-13 from the field, along with three assists and two steals. Then, against tech, Anderson scored 18 points in just 16 minutes of play, making 8-of-11 from the field and 2-of-2 from three-point range. 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 (9.1) and in rebounding (5.1). He also leads the team in blocked shots (18). Overall, he has posted three double-doubles and has scored in double figures 10 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 third in scoring, 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 6.7 points and a team-best 5.7 rebounds overall, and in league play has averaged a team-best 5.9 rebounds. Bean has hauled down at least six rebounds in 10 of the last 14 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 games, but has come off the bench in the last three 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 16 games at point guard. He is averaging 6.3 points and 2.9 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 3.8 rebounds while making 43.3 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 four games, he's averaged 3.0 points and 1.8 rebounds in just 16.5 minutes per game. Brown leads the team in dunks with 11, and also leads in rebounding (5.7) and ranks second in field goal percentage (.519), scoring (10.8) and free throw percentage (.761). 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 23 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 16 contests, is averaging 7.1 points and 2.3 assists while making 75.5 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 two games, he has averaged 9.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 4.5 steals.
Jesse Makes An Impact
Freshman Jesse King has emerged as one of the Aggies most productive players in the last three games, averaging 9.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in that stretch and affecting the complexion of the game with his athletic presence. 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 16 straight games, averaging 3.9 points and 3.5 rebounds overall and 4.5 points and 3.5 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.
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 68.6 percent, fifth in the Big 12. In Big 12 play, A&M is making 68.7 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 12 games, including 44-of-54 in the last two minutes of close games (.815). But in the last two games (both wins), the Aggies have made just 56.6 percent (30-50).
Turnover Woes Lessen
Perhaps the biggest reason for the Aggies' struggles this season is turnovers. For the season, A&M has handed out 296 assists while committing a whopping 387 turnovers. In the eight wins, the Aggies have averaged 16.1 assists to 14.9 turnovers. 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 18 of 23 games, the Aggies have had more turnovers than assists, including 14 of the last 17 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 6-3 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 six games, the Aggies have averaged 13.5 turnovers with more than 14 in just one 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 8-4. When A&M's opponents score 70 or fewer points, the Aggies are 6-1.
Losing Board Battle = Victory?
Prior to the win against Baylor, the Aggies had lost all eight games in which they had been out-rebounded. But the Aggies have won the last two games despite being beaten on the boards by Baylor and Texas Tech. Baylor out-rebounded the Aggies, 45-34, and Tech won the battle of the boards, 43-41.
Halftime Advantage
The Aggies are 7-3 this season when leading at halftime, but only 1-12 when they trail at intermission. In three years under coach Melvin Watkins, the Aggies are 19-8 when leading or tied at halftime and 9-42 when trailing. The Aggies' 13-point halftime lead against Baylor was their largest since they led Oklahoma State, 40-29, in 1999 (but went on to lose, 66-61).
King Chases 1,000-Point Mark
Sophomore guard Bernard King needs 119 points to reach 1,000 in his short career (17.0 average if the Aggies play seven more games). King needs 122 points to break Vernon Smith's sophomore season record of 528 set in 1978-79. Last year, King set the school's freshman record with 474 points.