Since going winless in the Big 12 during the 2003-2004 season, Texas A&M has not finished with a below .500 conference record. They have appeared in the NCAA Tournament in each of the last five seasons, winning their first round game each time. However, the Aggies have only once made it past the opening weekend. Rather than turning the page this season though, the Aggies might end up taking a step backwards.
The Sports Bank’s “99 in 99” ranks the 72 power conference college basketball teams and top 27 mid-majors for the 2010-2011 season. It will provide with all you need to know about each team and lead right up to the opening tip of the season. Click here if you missed teams #58-#99.
By: David Kay
Texas A&M Aggies (4th, 11-5 in B12, 24-10 overall)
Projected Depth Chart
F/C: Nathan Walkup (Sr)/Daniel Alexander (Fr)/Keith Davis (Fr)
PF: David Loubeau (Jr)/Ray Turner (So)/Kourtney Roberson (Fr)
SF: Khris Middleton (So)/Derrek Lewis (Sr)
SG: B.J Homes (Sr)/Naji Hibbert (So)
PG: Dash Harris (Jr)
Gone: F/C-Bryan Davis, SG-Derrick Roland, SG-David Sloan, SG-Jeremy Adams (transfer), C-James Blasczyk (transfer-Lee College)
2010-2011 Outlook:
Texas A&M suffered a significant injury during last season when senior Derrick Roland broke his leg in a truly cringing fall and was lost for the year. If there is any positive to the injury, it’s that it allowed younger players to step into a bigger role that will only help the Aggies this season.
Besdies Roland, the Aggies lose David Sloan and Bryan Davis; their top two scorers from a year ago. The void left by Sloan will likely be filled by B.J. Holmes who is the team’s top returning scorer despite coming off the bench last season. Holmes will join incumbent point guard Dash Harris in the backcourt and both will have to elevate their game to replace Sloan’s 17.8 points per game average.
David Loubeau figures to take over Davis’ role as the team’s top inside player while Khris Middleton looks to build off a solid freshman campaign. Nathan Walkup likely step into a starting role this season after being a valuable bench contributor last year. Little used sophomore Ray Turner will provide some depth up-front along side freshmen Daniel Alexander, Keith Davis, and Kourtney Robinson.
I would be remised if I did not mention the horrific loss the Aggie basketball team suffered in May when freshman-to-be Tobi Oyedeji was suddenly killed in a car accident after attending his high school prom. Oyedeji was a talented power forward recruit who was ranked in the top 100 by Scout.com.
Player to Watch: Khris Middleton, SF
Middleton came on strong at the end of the year almost doubling his scoring load, averaging about 14 points per game. While the 6-7 wing has a nice combination of length and athleticism, his biggest strength is shooting the rock, a weakness for the Aggies last season. With Sloan gone, Middleton will have to keep up his hot shooting from the end of 2009-2010 for the Aggies to be a tourney-caliber club.
Key Non-Conference Games:
11/25 vs. Boston College (Old Spice Classic)
11/26 vs. Wisconsin/Manhattan (Old Spice Classic)
11/28 vs. Notre Dame/Georgia/Temple/Cal
12/11 vs. Washington
12/18 vs. Arkansas (in Dallas)
Other 99 in 99’s:
#58 Louisville
#59 Arizona State
#60 Northern Iowa
#61 Creighton
#62 Clemson
#63 Cincinnati
#64 Texas Tech
#65 Miami, FL
#66 Charlotte
#67 UTEP
#68 Ole Miss
#69 George Mason
#70 Colorado
#71 Weber State
#72 Alabama
#73 Bradley
#74 Central Florida
#75 Wake Forest
#76 Georgia Tech
#77 USC
#78 Oklahoma State
#79 Cal
#80 Oklahoma
#81 Virginia
#82 South Carolina
#83 Indiana
#84 Stanford
#85 Oregon
#86 Penn State
#87 South Florida
#88 Arkansas
#89 Boston College
#90 LSU
#91 Providence
#92 Michigan
#93 Oregon State
#94. Nebraska
#95. Auburn
#96. DePaul
#97. Iowa State
#98. Rutgers
#99. Iowa