Previewing and breaking down Texas A&M basketball vs. Vanderbilt Commodores: Statistics and factors to watch
Texas A&M basketball takes on the Vanderbilt Commodores tonight in Reed Arena. The Ags are hoping to rebound from a two-game skid that has shocked the fanbase before an intimidating road trip to Florida on Saturday.
The Aggies certainly seem like they're a better team than Vandy, but the SEC is jam-packed with talent this year. So what are we getting in this game between the Ags and 'Dores?
There's no one category that the Commodores are outstanding in, though they are 20th in the nation in steals. Despite that, their defense overall is pretty suspect: they are 308th in the nation in field goal percentage allowed, giving up around 46.1% shooting on average.
Even though they get a high number of steals, they still struggle to force turnovers in general. The Commodores are 322nd in the nation in turnovers forced per game, only causing 14.4 on average in a contest.
Recently, games that the Aggies have played have been decided in shooting right by the basket and cleaning the glass. When A&M is forced to take too many outside shots, their chances of winning dramatically decrease; when they are able to pound the rock inside the paint, they have a much better shot.
Fortunately for the Ags, it looks like this is an area in which they can take advantage of Vanderbilt. The Commodores are 230th in defensive rebounding, so the Aggies need to nab some second chance buckets early and often. They are also 236th in 2-point percentage allowed , meaning the Aggies could make some hay down near the basket.
Overall, this is a Vanderbilt team that would much rather get out and run, increasing the number of possessions and turn this game into a track meet, than operate consistently in the half-court. If the Aggies can junk things up and play disciplined defense, as we've seen them do often, this could be a comfortable win.
It'll take a focused effort, but I think that's what we see out of the Aggies tonight. It won't be easy in the slightest— nothing is in the SEC this year— but I've got the Ags taking home a win in Reed this evening.