COLLEGE STATION- Texas A&M's women's basketball team has started official practice this week, in preparation for the 2014-15 season. The Aggies return four starters from a team that reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in 2014.
Under the direction of Gary Blair, who begins his 12th year as head coach of the Aggies, the team has begun preparations in earnest.
The Aggies have had a busy first week, with the Gary Blair Coaching Academy, Brazos County A&M Club Tip Off Dinner, media availability for Blair and Plaza Palooza on the docket for the first official week of basketball season.
The Aggies return 83% of its scoring and 85% of its minutes from a team that went 27-9 and finished in a tie for second in the SEC in 2013-14. Texas A&M has been rated as high as fourth, and is a consensus Top 10 selection, in various preseason projections.
The Aggies open the season with an exhibition on Nov. 8 against Oklahoma City, with the regular season tipping off on Nov. 14 in a Sweet 16 rematch against DePaul in Chicago. The Aggies start the home regular season on Nov. 19 against Rice.
Quick Hitter Quotes from Gary Blair's Tuesday Press Conference
On team leadership
"Last year, Karla [Gilbert] was sort of our quiet leader, sort of our mother hen ... but it was still Jordan Jones emerging as that leader. This year, she has to be the leader. She's a junior now, and we expect it out of her."
On the Aggies' guards
"I don't believe that anybody in the SEC has the guards and the depth that we have at the guard position"
On the Aggies' consensus Top 10 preseason ranking
"That doesn't mean a hill of beans. You've got to live up to it. I think our kids are at the point now where they expect it."
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