Bucky McMillan and Texas A&M Basketball will take on the Houston Cougars in the NCAA Round of 32 once again tomorrow evening in Oklahoma City. The Aggies will enter this game with a 22-11 overall record and a chip on their shoulder as they look to get some revenge for 2 years ago. The Cougars come into the matchup with a 29-6 overall record looking to continue their hopeful run back to the National Title game.
Despite the rankings and seed-lines, this game isn't out of reach for the Aggies whatsoever. The Aggies have a slight shooting advantage and even a small rebounding advantage as well. The Cougars' claim to fame, however, is their defense and lack of offensive turnovers.
The Cougars are one of the best teams in the country taking care of the ball with only 8.5 turnovers per game. Their defense is also very impressive only allowing opposing teams to score 62.4 points per game. The Aggies certainly have the offensive advantage, but much like the Saint Mary's matchup, the Aggies will need to turn up the pace and not play the game in the half court.
Texas A&M needs to play their best defense to defeat Houston Cougars
The Cougars have a very solid contingent led by freshman phenom Kingston Flemings who leads the team with 16.4 points per game. Veteran guard Emmanuel Sharp, who faced the Aggies in March Madness two years ago, also averages 15.3 points per game himself, while the trio of Uzan, Cenac Jr, and Tugler provide another 28 combined points per game.
The Cougars will have a slight height advantage overall, but not nearly as much as Saint Mary's had. They are another team that wants to slow the game down, play physical, rebound, and force you into making mistakes. The Aggies will certainly have their hands full tomorrow.
Offensively, the Aggies will need to get things going tomorrow night. Rashaun Agee has been as consistent as it gets, but the supporting cast around him will have to step it up and produce offensively.
Houston is very susceptible to scoring droughts and the Aggies will have to take advantage when they can. When the Aggies are shooting well beyond the arc, they can play with anyone. Rylan Griffen, Pop Isaacs, and Ruben Dominguez will be the difference makers if the Aggies want to play their way to the Sweet 16.
The Aggies are going to have to once again play their best game of the season for them to come out victorious. It looks like they are currently a 9.5-point underdog on most betting markets. Can the Aggies pull off the shocking upset? Why not the Aggies? Check back tomorrow after the game for our full reaction and analysis.