Bucky McMillan and Texas A&M Basketball travel to the sunshine state to take on the Florida State Seminoles in Tampa on Friday. The Aggies are looking for their first win over a power conference team after starting 0-2 in that category. Gambling lines will likely not be out until sometime on Thursday, but it is safe to assume that the Aggies will be slight favorites.
Can Bucky Ball transfer to the power conference level? So far it hasn't with two tough losses to both Oklahoma State and UCF. The defense has been lackluster all year while the offense hasn't shown up against power conference teams.
The Aggies currently only have 3 players averaging double figures in scoring. They are led by Ruben Dominguez with 14.9 points per game, Marcus Hill with 12.3 points per game, and Rylan Griffen with 11.2 points per game. The good thing for the Aggies is they have 7 players averaging between 5-10 points per game. Sharing the ball is not a problem for this Aggie offense.
Texas A&M seeking early statement victory against Florida State on Friday
The Aggies are averaging 21.4 assists per game, 9 steals per game, 37.1% shooting from behind the arc, and are only turning the ball over 11.6 times per game. All are good signs to an improving Aggie offense this season.
Defense has been an issue for the Aggies all season, specifically their lack of being able to defend the 3 in recent games. In their last 4 games, opponents have averaged 48% from beyond the arc. This defense forces a lot of turnovers, and that's great, but the lack of defense on the perimeter will be a major issue against better teams and could cost them games later this season.
Florida State is also looking for their first win against a power conference opponent this season. They come into the matchup with a 5-1 record. They narrowly lost to Florida earlier in the season, 78-76. The Seminoles have 5 players averaging double figures in scoring, led by Lajae Jones and Robert McCray V both with over 15 points per game.
Bucky McMillan and this Aggie basketball team have a big opportunity on Friday— but one that could turn into a brutal gut check. Check back on Friday after the game for my instant reaction and analysis after the game.