Keys for a Texas A&M basketball victory: Converting from the charity stripe
One of the biggest complaints that I and many Texas A&M basketball fans have had this year has been the poor free throw shooting that the Aggies have exhibited. Aside from Wade Taylor, it's a rough ride from the line: A&M as a team is a mere 71% from the line.
Still, though, it should be noted that the Aggies get to the line a lot. They are 10th in the nation in free throws attempted, and despite the poor percentages, 18th in free throws made per game.
Houston, for all their laudable defensive statistics, is a team that fouls a lot. They commit 17.7 personal fouls per game, while the Aggies draw 19.5 per game (for comparison, the Cougars draw 16 per game, and the Ags commit 16.8 per game).
If the Aggies can ugly up the game, get Shead, Cryer, and Sharp in a little bit of foul trouble, and convert a decent percentage from the line, things will begin to tip in favor of Texas A&M basketball.