Texas A&M basketball show signs of turning season around with Kansas State win
By Jeff Shull
Is it possible to believe Texas A&M Basketball could make this a halfway decent season? After the win over Kansas State, yes.
The roller coaster ride Texas A&M basketball fans are being subjected to is not unlike the one the 2018 football team did in Jimbo Fisher’s first season. Although, admittedly, this is more like the ride your mom makes you take your 5-year old little brother on, not the big drop coaster with major highs and lows.
Nobody outside the locker room truly expected the Aggies to be a competitive team this season. It had all the signs of a rebuilding year, what with Billy Kennedy losing every player who began last season as a starter (Admon Gilder is still around, but out for the season with a blood clot) plus a key senior role player, and also with Kennedy changing the offense completely.
I don’t think anyone expected a brutal 7-10 start which included one of the worst efforts I’ve ever seen from a Texas A&M basketball team against Missouri a week ago. It caused many to wonder if Kennedy was going to be shown the door.
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The Aggies bounced back nicely by building a 13-point halftime lead at Florida on Wednesday, which they proceeded to squander as Florida rained threes upon all challengers in the second half. Whatever confidence they gained that evening carried over to Saturday in an upset win over previously 15-4 Kansas State.
The Wildcats returned most of their Elite Eight team from last season and had picked up wins over ranked Iowa State, Oklahoma and Texas Tech in recent weeks. They are currently in first place in the Big 12.
The Aggies won with defense and a strong second half from Chuck Mitchell, who finished with 22 points despite being held scoreless in the first half. TJ Starks finished with 12 points and six assists and Savion Flagg played a hell of a game on both ends, finishing with 11 points, 12 rebounds and four assists.
That’s two straight big games from Mitchell. He’s proven to be the Aggies’ most consistent threat from outside and Kennedy is leaning on him more.
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The Aggies take on No. 25 LSU at home on Wednesday before Tennessee — the No. 1 team in the country — travels to Reed Arena next Saturday. This was a huge win and much-needed for the tough road ahead.
Jeff Shull is the Site Expert for the Gig Em Gazette on FanSided. Follow him on Twitter, and be sure to follow the Gig Em Gazette on Facebook and Twitter.