February 20, 2001
Game #26
Texas A&M Aggies (9-16, 2-10 in Big 12)
vs.
Oklahoma State Cowboys (15-7, 6-5 in Big 12)
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001
8:36 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: 8:15 p.m. (CST)
Television
FOX Sports Net Southwest (Regional)
Greg Lucas, play-by-play
Reid Gettys, analyst
TALE OF THE TAPE
Statistic A&M OSU
W-L Record 9-16 15-7
ESPN/USA Today -- 24
Associated Press -- --
Sagarin Rating #189 #52
RPI #146 #54
Scoring 70.2 73.8
Opp. Scoring 76.2 65.3
Scoring Margin -6.0 +8.5
FG Pct. .423 .470
Opp. FG Pct. .449 .411
3-Pt. Pct. .299 .336
Opp. 3-Pt. Pct. .351 .353
3-Pt. FG 4.4 4.5
Opp. 3-Pt. FG 7.0 6.5
FT Pct. .676 .639
Opp FT Pct. .680 .660
Off. Reb. 13.4 12.7
Total Rebounds 37.8 38.1
Reb. Margin +1.8 +4.1
Assists 13.3 13.9
Turnovers 16.4 16.5
Blocks 2.0 3.8
Steals 5.8 8.4
Fouls 22.4 19.5
In Memory
For the rest of the season, Texas A&M and the Big 12 Conference will honor with ribbons and armbands the memory of the 10 members of the Oklahoma State basketball family who died in the Jan. 27 plane crash. Our thoughts and prayers remain with Oklahoma State University and the families and friends of those who died.
The Texas A&M Aggies (9-16, 2-10) continue a four-game homestand Wednesday when they play host to the Oklahoma State Cowboys (15-7, 6-5) at 8:30 p.m. (CST) at Reed Arena (12,500 cap.) in College Station. The Aggies, who close out their home schedule on Saturday against Texas Tech, are coming off a hard-fought 97-90 loss to Missouri at home on Saturday, while the Cowboys are coming off an 80-69 overtime loss to Texas at home on Saturday. A&M is 6-6 at home this season while Oklahoma State is 2-6 in road games. The Cowboys beat the Aggies, 76-64, on Jan. 24 in Stillwater. A&M beat No. 12-ranked OSU last year in College Station, 64-59. The Cowboys lead the series with A&M, 16-8.
About the Cowboys
Oklahoma State is 2-4 since they beat the Aggies, 76-64, on Jan. 24 in Stillwater, including overtime losses at Nebraska (78-75) and at home to Texas (80-69). The Cowboys have posted impressive victories against Missouri (69-66) and Oklahoma (72-44), both home games, in that span. OSU is led by junior guard Maurice Baker (6-1), a top candidate for Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Honors who is averaging 19.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Junior forward Fredrik Jonzen (6-10) is adding 15.3 points and 6.4 rebounds, while sophomore guard Victor Williams (5-1) is averaging 12.4 points and 3.8 assists. As a team, Oklahoma State ranks second in the Big 12 in scoring defense, allowing just 65.3 points per game. The Cowboys are in their 11th year under legendary coach Eddie Sutton.
A&M-Oklahoma State Series
The Cowboys leads the series, 16-8, with an 8-1 mark since Big 12 play began in 1997. The Cowboys are 1-1 in games played in Reed Arena and 6-5 in games played in College Station. Three of the last four games played in College Station have been decided by five points or fewer. The Cowboys won the first meeting this season, 76-64, on Jan. 24 in Stillwater. Last year, A&M posted a 64-59 upset of No. 12-ranked Oklahoma State at Reed Arena.
TEXAS A&M vs. OKLAHOMA STATE (last 15 meetings)
Year Winner Site
2000-01 OSU, 76-64 Stillwater
1999-00 OSU, 87-55
A&M, 64-59 Stillwater
College Station (Reed)
1998-99 OSU, 66-61
OSU, 64-59 Stillwater
College Station (Reed)
1997-98 OSU, 94-62
OSU, 100-65 Stillwater
College Station (GRW)
1996-97 OSU, 72-55
OSU, 62-60 Stillwater
College Station (GRW)
1994-95 OSU, 85-56 Tulsa, Okla. (Bank IV Classic)
1988-89 OSU, 94-79 Oklahoma City (All-College Classic)
1981-82 A&M, 80-72 El Paso (Sun Bowl Classic)
1972-73 A&M, 67-64 (OT) Tulsa, Okla.
1960-61 OSU, 60-58 (OT) Houston (Bluebonnet Classic)
1949-50 OSU, 55-34 Stillwater
Watkins Quoteboard
"We've got to be careful to not think that Maurice Baker is Oklahoma State's only weapon. We'll try to do the job on him, but we can't let someone else have a big game, either. Every day, I'd like to think we've gotten better. Our young kids have gotten some playing time under their belts and that's given them some confidence and we hope that continues. We didn't get the win against Missouri, but I was pleased with our effort."
TEXAS A&M AGGIES (9-16, 2-10)
# Player Pos. Ht. Cl. ppg rpg
24 Carlton Brown F 6-6 Sr. 10.5 5.6
5 Nick Anderson F 6-6 Fr. 9.8 5.3
44 Nolan Butterfras C 6-10 Fr. 2.9 2.2
32 Bernard King G 6-5 So. 18.4 4.6a
22 Andy Leatherman G 6-3 Jr. 6.6 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).
OKLAHOMA ST. COWBOYS (15-7, 6-5)
# Player Pos. Ht. Cl. ppg rpg
13 Fredrik Jonzen F 6-10 Jr. 15.3 6.4
34 Melvin Sanders F 6-5 So. 8.3 4.3
21 Antoine Broxsie C 6-10 Jr. 2.4 2.8
1 Maurice Baker G 6-1 Jr. 19.7 4.4a
5 Victor Williams G 5-10 So. 12.4 3.8a
Head Coaches
TEXAS A&M: Melvin Watkins (UNC Charlotte ?˜77)
29-51, 3rd year at A&M
71-71, 5th year overall
1-4 vs. Eddie Sutton
1-4 vs. Oklahoma State
OKLAHOMA STATE: Eddie Sutton (Oklahoma State ?˜58)
244-102 in 11th year at OSU
674-264 in 31st year overall
4-1 vs. Melvin Watkins
28-6 vs. Texas A&M
Missouri Recap
COLLEGE STATION (AP) -- Clarence Gilbert scored 24 points for Missouri, which held on to beat Texas A&M 97-90 on Saturday. Gilbert made 6-of-13 shots from 3-point range before fouling out. The Tigers shot 40-percent from the 3-point line. Missouri captured its first road win since Jan. 10, and only the second in league play, while ending A&M's three-game winning streak. Bernard King scored six unanswered points to pull the Aggies within four with 70 seconds remaining. A&M trailed by as much as 18 points during the game. King scored a season-high 31 points with five assists. Nick Anderson added 22 points for A&M. An 81-percent performance from the free throw line sealed the victory for the Tigers. Missouri scored 25 points from the line on 31 attempts as A&M committed 30 fouls. Missouri's Wesley Stokes, who made a pair of key free throws with 6 seconds left, scored seven of his 12-points from the line. Tajudeen Soyoye scored 16 and Brian Grawer added 12. Missouri finished with 36 of their 97 points from 3-point range, while shooting 51 percent from the field.
Last Month vs. OSU
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) ?" Oklahoma State made Big 12 cellar-dweller Texas A&M look like a contender for much of the Jan. 24 game, waiting until the final three minutes to put the Aggies away 76-64. A&M was down just 62-60 with 2:47 to play when the Cowboys began a 14-4 run to end the game. OSU hit free throws and the Aggies missed shots, including several 3-pointers. It allowed the Cowboys to get a hard-earned fifth straight win, while A&M lost its sixth in a row. The Cowboys had three players notch double-doubles. Maurice Baker had 22 points and 10 rebounds, Fredrick Jonzen had 17 points and 12 boards, while Andre Williams had 18 points and 11 rebounds. Bernard King led A&M with 19. OSU coach Eddie Sutton said it was Williams ?" who tipped in an inbounds pass at the halftime buzzer, blocked two shots and had his way inside ?" who provided the spark for the Cowboys. The two teams stayed within five points through the first 17 minutes of the second half, but they would not have been so close had OSU not let the Aggies back into the game midway through the first half. A 10-0 Cowboy run gave OSU a 23-13 lead with 10:35 left in the half. Then, up 27-16, the Cowboys committed three turnovers and two fouls to let the Aggies cut to 27-23 on a jumper by Carlton Brown with 5:47 left in the half. Andy Leatherman scored 15 and Brown had 14 for A&M.
Last Year's Upset at Reed
COLLEGE STATION ?"?" Bernard King scored 17 points, including two clinching free throws with nine seconds left, as the Aggies defeated No. 12 Oklahoma State 64-59 on Jan. 22 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. King went on to earn National Freshman of the Week honors by ESPN.Com.
Quick Notes
The Aggies are 6-1 when holding their opponents to 70 points or less and are 9-5 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.
Watkins Big 12's "Best Dressed"
Texas A&M's Melvin Watkins is the Big 12's "Best Dressed" coach, according to College Hoops Insider's Fashion Power Index of Feb. 19. Nationally, CHI ranks Watkins as the nation's third best dressed coach behind only Alabama's Mark Gottfried and Cincinnati's Bob Huggins. "Iowa State all but wrapped up the Big 12 title on the court this past weekend, and Melvin in turn locked up the conference crown on the runway. Since October, everyone has been competing for second place. Coach Watkins looks better every time I see him. His four-point play with the handkerchief is in a class by itself," said CHI's Angela Lento. The website ranks A&M's Lew Hill No. 10 among the best dressed assistant coaches. "There isn't a better one-two punch in America," Lento says of the Watkins-Hill duo.
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 14 games (8.3 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 ?" senior Aaron Jack (6-9) and sophomores Andy Slocum (6-11) and Tomas Ress (6-11) ?" 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 five 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 47.5 percent from the field in the last five games after making just 35.5 percent in the first eight Big 12 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. The Aggies have made less than 37 percent (including two under 31 percent) in six conference games. The Aggies are making just 39.5 percent from the field and 29.0 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 13 games. Last year, A&M made better than 45 percent in just nine games all season. Overall, A&M has connected on 42.3 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 16 losses they have made just 39.7 percent (to 48.4 percent by their opponents).
From the Bench
In the last six games, the Aggies have averaged 23.7 bench points per game, 32 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 four games, the Aggies have averaged 24.8 bench points and gone 3-1.
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 four games, at least four players have scored a minimum of nine points (6 vs. Baylor, 5 vs. Tech, 6 vs. UT-Pan American, 4 vs. Missouri). 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 five games, the frontcourt has averaged 42.0 points. In those five games, A&M has attempted 280 shots, but only 53 have been from beyond the three-point line (an average of 56 total attempts and fewer than 11 three-point tries per game). Prior to that stretch, A&M also averaged 56 field goal attempts per game, but that included 16 three-point attempts. In addition, the Aggies have averaged 29.0 points in the paint in the last four games after averaging just 19.6 in the first nine league games.
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 12 Big 12 games, the Aggies have been out-rebounded eight times, with an average margin of -4.6. The only Big 12 foes A&M has beaten on the boards are Texas (38-34), Oklahoma (32-23) and Missouri (34-33), all 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 in mid-February, A&M was out-rebounded all three games. The streak ended when A&M beat Missouri on the boards, 34-33.
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 18.4 average, ranking second in the Big 12 in conference play. 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 ?" 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 had his best all-around game of the conference season against Missouri, scoring 31 points (his fifth career 30+ game) with five rebounds and five assists while making 10-of-18 from the field and 5-of-7 from three-point range. King 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 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 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), fifth in the Big 12. He has scored in double figures in 16 straight games and in 23 of 25 games this season. King and, Oklahoma State's Maurice Baker are the only Big 12 players to rank in the top 15 in theleague in scoring, assists, steals and three-point field goals.
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
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 Feb. 12 after leading the team in scoring 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 followed with his best conference game, scoring 22 points with eight rebounds against Missouri. 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 (9.8) and in rebounding (5.3). He also leads the team in blocked shots (19). Overall, he has posted three double-doubles and has scored in double figures 12 times, including five straight going into the Oklahoma State 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 second in scoring and third in rebounding and blocked shots. In the last three games, he has averaged 17.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and made 66.7 percent (4-6) from three-point range.
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 5.6 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 110 of the last 16 games. He scored 16 points and had a career-high 10 rebounds against Centenary, his first career double-double. In the last three games, Bean has averaged 9.3 points and 5.0 rebounds while making 52.6 percent from the field and 72.7 percent from the line. He 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 five 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 18 games at point guard. He is averaging 6.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists. In the last two games, he is averaging 10.0 points, 4.0 assists and 1.5 steals. After going scoreless against Kansas, he came back to score 15 against Oklahoma State on Jan. 24. Against Texas in College Station, he posted a career-high six rebounds. For the season, he ranks third on the team in assists and steals (22), second in three-point field goals (25) and leads in free throw percentage (.787). He scored 11 points, making 3-of-5 three-pointers, against Missouri, and 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 25 three-pointers in this year surpasses his total in his first two years combined (17 in 47 games).
Brown Looking For His Game
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 5.8 points and 3.7 rebounds while making 44.3 percent from the field. Brown did not play in the UT-Pan American game 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 five games, he's averaged 3.2 points and 1.8 rebounds in just 17.6 minutes per game. Brown leads the team in dunks with 11, and also leads in rebounding (5.6) and ranks second in field goal percentage (.521), scoring (10.5) 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 24 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 18 contests, has averaged 9.3 points, 3.3 assists, 2.8 steals and 3.0 rebounds while making 59.1 percent from the field in the last four games. For the season, he is averaging 7.3 points and 2.4 assists while making 74.1 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 six games, averaging 8.8 points and 4.7 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 six 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 18 straight games, averaging 4.3 points and 3.6 rebounds overall and 4.6 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.
Sutton-A&M Connection
Texas A&M Assistant Athletic Director Mike Caruso, who serves as the game manager for A&M home games, played college basketball for Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton when Sutton coached at Creighton in the early 1970s. Caruso later served as an assistant at Creighton under Sutton.
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 67.6 percent, sixth in the Big 12. In Big 12 play, A&M is making 68.9 percent, 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 eight of the last 13 games, including 45-of-56 in the last two minutes of close games (.804).
Making Their Point
When the Aggies score at least 70 points this season, they are 9-5 and have won six of their last eight. 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 in the Aggies' recent three-game winning streak, they were 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. A&M's winning streak ended when the out-rebounded Missouri, 34-33, in Saturday's 97-90 loss.
Trimming the Turnovers
Perhaps the biggest reason for the Aggies' struggles early this season were turnovers. For the season, A&M has handed out 333 assists while committing a whopping 406 turnovers. In the nine wins, the Aggies have averaged 16.4 assists to 14.2 turnovers. The Aggies are 1-9 this season when committing 19 or more turnovers. In 18 of 25 games, the Aggies have had more turnovers than assists, including 14 of the last 19 games (A&M is 5-2 when it has an even or better ratio). The Aggies are 2-12 when handing out 13 or fewer assists and are 7-4 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 eight games, the Aggies have averaged 12.5 turnovers with more than 14 in just one game. The Aggies' nine turnovers against UT-Pan American was a season low and the fewest by an A&M team since last year, when the Aggies had just nine in a 64-59 upset of No. 12-ranked Oklahoma State. In the last four games, A&M has averaged 18.0 assists and only 12.0 turnovers.
Don't Make It, Aggies
The Aggies are 1-3 this season when making better than 50 percent from the field. In three years under coach Melvin Watkins, the Aggies are 3-7 when they shoot better than 50 percent. The lone win this year came against Centenary.
Making ?ËœEm Sweat
Five straight A&M games have been decided by nine points or less, including three by four points or less. Overall, 12 A&M games have been decided by 10 points or less, with A&M holding a 7-5 edge in those games. A total of 41 of A&M's 80 games under coach Melvin Watkins have been decided by 10 points or less, with A&M owning a 21-20 record in those games. The Aggies have played seven overtime games under Watkins (2-5 record), including one double overtime and one triple overtime game.
Honors Candidates
Bernard King is making a strong case for All-Big 12 honors, while Nick Anderson is among the favorites for Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors. King ranks second in the Big 12 in scoring in league games (18.4), while Anderson ranks second among the league's freshmen in scoring at 10.3 in league play. In addition to Anderson, Jesse King and Nolan Butterfras are candidates for the All-Freshman Team, while Jamaal Gilchrist and Keith Bean are strong candidates for the All-Bench Team.
Anderson Ranks Among Top Frosh
Freshman Forward Nick Anderson is having one of the top freshman seasons in the Big 12's five-year history as well as in A&M history. Anderson is averaging 9.8 points overall and 10.3 points in Big 12 play.
BIG 12 FRESHMAN SCORING
Player, School Year Avg.
Bernard King, A&M 1999-00 16.9
Marcus Fizer, Iowa State 1997-98 14.7
Luke Axtell, Texas 1997-98 13.3
Chris Mihm, Texas 1997-98 12.4
Jake Sullivan, Iowa State 2000-01 11.9
Jeff Boschee, Kansas 1998-99 10.9
Nick Anderson, A&M 2000-01 9.8
TEXAS A&M FRESHMAN SCORING
Player, School Year Avg.
Bernard King 1999-00 16.9
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
Nick Anderson 2000-01 9.8
Reggie Roberts 1980-81 9.7
Calvin Davis 1995-96 8.9
Winston Crite 1983-84 8.8
King Chases 1,000-Point Mark
Sophomore guard Bernard King needs 66 points to reach 1,000 in his short career (13.2 average if the Aggies play five more games). King needs 69 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. If he gets to 1,000, he would be only the 13th player from a Big 12 school ever to reach the milestone as a sophomore and the first since Colorado's Chauncey Billups did it in the Big 12's inaugural season in 1997. King would be the first to reach the mark entirely as a Big 12 member.
BIG 12 SOPHOMORES TO REACH 1,000 CAREER POINTS
Player, School Years G-Points Avg.
Wayman Tisdale, Oklahoma 1982-84 67-1729 25.8
Dave Robisch, Kansas 1968-70 53-1178 22.2
Danny Manning, Kansas 1984-86 73-1149 15.7
Terrence Rencher, Texas 1991-93 61-1144 18.8
Jeff Grayer, Iowa State 1985-87 66-1086 16.5
Jeff Webster, Oklahoma 1990-92 65-1073 16.5
Derrick Chievous, Missouri 1984-86 66-1058 16.0
Dave Hoppen, Nebraska 1982-84 62-1043 16.8
Terry Teagle, Baylor 1978-80 55-1028 18.7
Ron Baxter, Texas 1976-78 57-1023 18.0
Chauncey Billups, Colorado 1995-97 55-1020 18.5
Alvan Adams, Oklahoma 1972-74 47-1016 21.6
CLOSING:
Bernard King, Texas A&M 1999-01 53-934 17.6