February 16, 2001
Game #25
Texas A&M Aggies
(9-15, 2-9 in Big 12)
vs.
Missouri Tigers
(16-8, 7-4 in Big 12)
Saturday, Feb. 17, 2001
12:47 p.m. (CST)
Reed Arena (12,500 cap.)
College Station, Texas
RADIO
Texas A&M Sports Network
Dave South, play-by-play
Al Pulliam, commentary
Airtime: 12:30 p.m. (CST)
www.AggieAthletics.com
TELEVISION
ESPN Plus (regional)
Bill Doleman, play-by-play
Paul Splittorff, analyst
IN MEMORY
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.
2000-01 Schedule/Results
Record: 9-15 Overall, 2-9 Big 12
Current Streak W 3
Longest Win Streak 3
Longest Loss Streak 9
All-Time Record 1,075-1,031
11/18 at Geo. Washington L, 94-74
11/20 NORTH TEXAS W, 77-74
11/26 BIRMINGHAM-SO. L, 74-54
11/29 MORRIS BROWN W, 79-46
12/2 at Va. Comm. L, 107-106 (2 ot)
12/5 LAMAR W, 83-60
12/9 *#12 N. Carolina [Fox] L, 82-60
12/22 at Long Beach St. L, 83-76
12/27 %St. Louis L, 72-60
12/29 %/Manhattan W, 72-64
12/30 %Detroit Mercy W, 81-72 (ot)
1/4 CENTENARY W, 77-67
1/6 KANSAS ST. L, 53-48
1/9 at #19 Oklahoma L, 78-65
1/13 at Colorado L, 88-58
1/17 #24 TEXAS [ESPN+] L, 76-58
1/20 at #5 Kansas [ESPN+] L, 100-70
1/24 at Okla. St. L, 76-64
1/28 #17 IOWA ST. [ESPN+] L, 72-53
1/30 at #24 Texas [ESPN+] L, 81-61
2/3 #21 OKLAHOMA [ESPN+] L, 72-63
2/6 BAYLOR [Fox] W, 73-69
2/10 at Texas Tech [ESPN+] W, 72-70
2/14 TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN W, 81-78
2/17 MISSOURI [ESPN+] 12:45 p.m.
2/21 OKLA. ST. [Fox] 8:30 p.m.
2/24 TEXAS TECH [Fox] 5 p.m.
2/28 at Nebraska 7:05 p.m.
3/3 at Baylor 7 p.m.
3/8-11 #Big 12 Tournament TBA
*Compaq Center (Houston, Texas)
%Rainbow Classic (Honolulu, Hawaii)
#Kemper Arena (Kansas City, Mo.)
Listed game times are Central
For complete statistics and release in PDF format, go to
www.AggieAthletics.com
Riding the momentum of a three-game winning streak, the Texas A&M
Aggies (9-15, 2-9) play host to the Missouri Tigers (16-8, 7-4) on
Saturday at 12:45 p.m. (CST) at Reed Arena (12,500 cap.) in College
Station. The Aggies are coming off an 81-78 non-conference victory
against Texas-Pan American at home on Wednesday, while the Tigers are
coming off an 80-69 win against Colorado at home on Wednesday. A&M
is 6-5 at home this season while Missouri is 2-6 in road games.
Missouri leads the series, 6-1, and has won three straight. The Tigers
won last year's game in Columbia, 93-62, and won two years ago in
College Station, 96-91.
About the Tigers
Missouri finished 18-13 last year and placed sixth in the Big 12 at
10-6. The Tigers advanced to the NCAA Tournament, losing in the first
round. Missouri lost leading scorer Kareem Rush (21.9) for the season
to a thumb injury two weeks ago, but have since won two of three
games. Junior guard Clarence Gilbert (6-2) is the Tigers leading
active scorer at 16.6 points per game and is one of the top
three-point threats in the Big 12. Center Arthur Johnson (6-9) is one
of the top freshmen in the league, averaging 9.2 points and 8.1
rebounds per game, while senior guard Brian Grawer (6-0) adds 8.8
points and is a 43.2 percent three-point shooter. Grawer made eight
three-pointers last week against Iowa State. The Tigers are in their
second season under coach Quin Snyder, who has built a 34-21 record.
The Tigers average a whopping 8.2 three-point field goals per game.
A&M-Baylor Series
The Tigers lead the series, 6-1, and have won three straight. A&M's
lone victory came in College Station in 1997 (G. Rollie White
Coliseum), 61-57. Last year, Missouri posted a 93-62 victory in
Columbia and two years, the Tigers held off the Aggies, 96-91, in the
first meeting at Reed Arena. Missouri leads in all games played in
College Station, 2-1.
TEXAS A&M vs. MISSOURI
(MU leads, 6-1)
Year Winner Site
1999-00 Missouri, 93-62 Columbia, Mo.
1998-99 Missouri, 96-91 College Station (Reed Arena)
1997-98 Missouri, 73-60 Columbia, Mo.
1996-97 A&M, 61-57 College Station (GRW)
1992-93 Missouri, 81-55 College Station (GRW)
1991-92 Missouri, 77-47 Columbia, Mo.
1969-70 Missouri, 81-79 El Paso (Sun Bowl Classic)
Watkins Quoteboard
"Missouri is one of the most potent offensive teams in our conference
because they shoot the three so well. Because of that, they are never
out of a game. They have a good mixture of veteran players and some
very talented young players. They are one of the best teams in the Big
12. We just have to take one game at a time. We're playing better, but
it's never easy when you play Big 12 teams."
TENTATIVE STARTERS
TEXAS A&M AGGIES (9-15, 2-9 Big 12)
No. Player Pos. Ht. Cl. PPG RPG
24 Carlton Brown F 6-6 Sr. 10.8 5.7
5 Nick Anderson F 6-6 Fr. 9.3 5.2
44 Nolan Butterfras C 6-10 Fr. 3.0 2.3
32 Bernard King G 6-5 So. 17.9 4.6a
22 Andy Leatherman G 6-3 Jr. 6.4 2.8
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).
MISSOURI TIGERS (16-8, 7-4 Big 12)
No. Player Pos. Ht. Cl. PPG RPG
23 Rickey Paulding F 6-5 Fr. 6.4 2.3
33 Tajudeen Soyoye F 6-9 Sr. 6.3 6.8
50 Arthur Johnson C 6-9 Fr. 9.2 8.1
12 Brian Grawer G 6-0 Sr. 8.8 2.5
4 Clarence Gilbert G 6-2 Jr. 16.6 3.5a
HEAD COACHES
TEXAS A&M:
Melvin Watkins
(UNC Charlotte ee77)
*29-50, 3rd year at A&M
*71-70, 5th year overall
*0-1 vs. Quin Snyder
*0-2 vs. Missouri
MISSOURI:
Quin Snyder (Duke ee89)
*34-21 in second year at MU
*34-21 in second year overall
*1-0 vs. Melvin Watkins
*1-0 vs. Texas A&M
Tale of the Tape
Statistic A&M Mizzou
W-L Record 9-15 10-14
ESPN/USA Today UR UR
AP Poll UR UR
Sagarin Rating 188 40
RPI Rating 144 32
Scoring 69.4 77.2
Opp. Scoring 75.3 72.8
Scoring Margin -5.9 +4.4
FG Pct. .419 .421
Opp. FG Pct. .446 .417
3-Pt. Pct. .286 .368
Opp. 3-Pt. Pct. .347 .314
3-Pt. FG 4.1 8.2
Opp. 3-Pt. FG 6.8 4.7
FT Pct. .675 .703
Opp. FT Pct. .674 .688
Off. Reb. 13.4 14.3
Total Rebounds 38.0 39.5
Reb. Margin +1.8 -0.3
Assists 13.1 12.4
Turnovers 16.5 15.6
Blocks 1.9 4.4
Steals 5.9 8.1
Fouls 22.0 20.5
UTPA Recap
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) - Andy Leatherman sank a pair of free
throws with seven seconds left Wednesday to secure Texas A&M an 81-78
victory over Texas-Pan American. Brian Merriweather, the nation's best
3-point shooter, missed a chance to give Texas-Pan American a tie at
78 with 32 seconds left when his perimeter shot rattled off the rim.
After the Aggies hit only one of four free throws, Merriweather sank a
3-pointer to cut the Aggie lead to 79-78. Leatherman finished up the
scoring. Bernard King scored 22 points to lead A&M. The victory was
the Aggies' third straight, the equaling their longest streak of the
season. Mire Chatman scored 31 points to lead the Broncs. Merriweather
was held to a 3-of-13 performance and 14 points. A&M had five players
score in double figures for the second time in the last three games.
Nick Anderson scored 12 before fouling out. Keith Bean had 11 points
and Jamaal Gilchrist and Jesse King each added 10.
Last Year vs. Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) u Kareem Rush tied a career-high with 16 points in
his return from a nine-game suspension and sparked two key runs to
lead Missouri past Texas A&M 93-62 on Jan. 29, 2000. Rush had been out
since Dec. 14 after the NCAA declared him ineligible for taking
improper gifts from a summer league coach. But almost as soon as the
freshman hit the floor, Missouri took charge, showing no rust since
taking a week off following a 22-point whipping of Kansas. A&M led
11-5 when Rush checked in. Three minutes and a 14-0 run later, the
Tigers had taken a lead they never gave up. Later in the half, Rush
checked into the game and Missouri immediately went on a 13-0 run.
With Rush in the game in the first half, Missouri outscored the Aggies
42-14. With Rush out, A&M outscored Missouri 16-9. Missouri forced A&M
into a season-high 29 turnovers, which included a season-best 20
steals for the Tigers. The young Aggies started four freshman. A&M was
paced by Tomas Ress' career-high 22 points, and Aaron Jack's
season-high 14. Missouri's balanced scoring attack had six players in
double figures, led by Rush and Johnnie Parker's 14 points on 6-of-6
shooting. Missouri continued its torrid shooting pace, hitting 52
percent on the game. Rush's reappearance was especially important
after center Tajudeen Soyoye picked up two early fouls. Rush was able
to defend A&M's big men while Soyoye, who only played 15 minutes, was
on the bench.
Quick Notes
*The Aggies are 6-1 when holding their opponents to 70 points or less
and are 9-4 when scoring more than 70.
* Prior to the three-game winning streak, A&M was 0-8 when
out-rebounded, but the Aggies have won the last three despite being
beaten on the boards in each game.
*In the first 19 games, A&M averaged just 17.2 bench points per game,
but in the last five games, they have averaged 24.0 (25.7 in the last
three games).
* In the last three games, the A&M frontcourt has averaged 42.7 points
(63.8 percent of the team's scoring).
* The Aggies have made better than 45 percent from the field in four
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 30.0 points in the last four 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.
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.
Against UT-Pan American, the Aggies started three true freshmen and a
sophomore. In the last four games, the Aggies have started at least
two true freshmen.
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 46.6 percent from the field in the last four
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 12 games. Last year, A&M made better than 45 percent in
just nine games all season. Overall, A&M has connected on 41.9
percent. In the Aggies' nine wins, they have connected on 46.9 percent
from the field (to 39.0 by their opponents) while in the 15 losses
they have made just 38.9 percent (to 48.1 percent by their opponents).
From the Bench
In the last five games, the Aggies have averaged 24.0 bench points per
game, 34 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 three games, the Aggies have averaged 25.7 bench points and
won all three games.
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
three games, at least five players have scored a minimum of nine
points (6 vs. Baylor, 5 vs. Tech, 6 vs. UT-Pan American). 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.
Getting It Inside
The Aggies have been more successful in recent games in working the
ball inside. In the first eight Big 12 games, the A&M frontcourt
averaged just 26.8 points per game, but in the last four games, the
frontcourt has averaged 42.3 points. In those four games, A&M has
attempted 221 shots, but only 35 have been from beyond the three-point
line (an average of 55 total attempts and fewer than nine three-point
tries per game). Prior to that stretch, A&M averaged 56 field goal
attempts per game, but that included 16 three-point attempts. In
addition, the Aggies have averaged 31.3 points in the paint in the
last three games after averaging just 19.6 in the first nine league
games.
On the Glass
King vs. Ranked Teams in ee00-01
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.), .372Despite 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 13.4 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 seven games this season. In five other games, all in
non-conference play, the Aggies posted double-digit rebounding
margins. However, in the three game winning streak, A&M has been
out-rebounded in all three games.
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 has struggled from three-point range
again in the last two games, making just 1-of-10 but averaging 17.5
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 (4.6), sixth in the Big 12. He has scored in double figures in
15 straight games and in 22 of 24 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 on Monday 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
(9.3) and in rebounding (5.2). He also leads the team in blocked shots
(18). Overall, he has posted three double-doubles and has scored in
double figures 11 times, including four straight going into the
Missouri game. 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. In the last
three games, all wins, he has averaged 14.7 points and made 54.3
percent from the field.
Mr. Bean Finds His Game
Sophomore Keith Bean, a transfer from North Carolina State who sat out
last season, is averaging 6.9 points and a team-best 5.5 rebounds
overall, and in league play has averaged a team-best 5.9 rebounds.
After a scoreless first half, Bean came off the bench with 11
second-half points to lift A&M to a 82-79 win against UT-Pan American.
Bean has hauled down at least six rebounds in 10 of the last 15 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 seven 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 four 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 17 games at point
guard. He is averaging 6.4 points and 2.8 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 (21), second in
three-point field goals (22) and leads in free throw percentage
(.787). 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 Hopes to Bounce Back
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. Brown did not play in Wednesday's game against UT-Pan
American while serving a one-game suspension for breaking team rules.
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 his 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 in which he's played, scoring in double figures 12 times.
Gilchrist Re-Emerges
Sophomore point guard Jamaal Gilchrist, who started the first 35 games
of his career but has come off the bench in the last 17 contests, has
averaged 9.3 points, 3.6 assists, 3.3 steals and 3.3 rebounds while
making 56.3 percent from the field in the last three games, helping
the Aggies to three straight wins. For the season, he is averaging 7.2
points and 2.4 assists while making 74.6 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.
Jesse Makes An Impact
Freshman Jesse King has emerged as one of the Aggies most productive
players in the last five games, averaging 9.6 points and a team-best
5.0 rebounds in that stretch. King scored a career-high 13 points with
five boards in the win against Baylor and has scored in double figures
in three of the last five games. King gained his eligibility at
mid-term 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 17 straight
games, averaging 4.2 points and 3.6 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.
Jesse Familiar With Tigers' Johnson
A&M freshman Jesse King and Missouri freshman Arthur Johnson were
teammates two years ago at Pershing High School in Detroit, where the
all-state pair led the team to several league championships. The two
remain close friends today. Each player has had a dramatic impact on
the Big 12, with Johnson a frontrunner for Big 12 Freshman of the Year
and King playing a key role in A&M's late-season resurgence.
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).
Making Their Point
When the Aggies score at least 70 points this season, they are
9-4 and have won six of their last seven. 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 this season. But the Aggies have
won the last three games despite being beaten on the boards by all
three opponents by an average margin of -6.0. Baylor out-rebounded the
Aggies, 45-34, Tech won the battle of the boards, 43-41, and Pan
American posted a 45-40 advantage.
Turnover Woes Lessen
Perhaps the biggest reason for the Aggies' struggles this season is
turnovers. For the season, A&M has handed out 315 assists while
committing a whopping 396 turnovers. In the eight wins, the Aggies
have averaged 16.4 assists to 14.2 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 24 games, the Aggies have had more turnovers than assists,
including 14 of the last 18 games (A&M is 5-1 when it has an even or
better ratio). The Aggies are 2-12 when handing out 13 or fewer
assists and are 7-3 when dishing out 14 or more.