The Sports Bank’s college basketball season previews undergo a face lift this season. Rather than counting down the top 111 teams in 111 days, we will go conference-by-conference. I’ve already counted down the Pac-12 and Big 12 now we turn our attention to the SEC.
While the Texas A&M Aggies have already landed two highly-touted recruits for their 2015 class, this upcoming season figures to be a bit of a struggle until a key transfer becomes eligible.
TEXAS A&M AGGIES
Last Season: 9th, 8-10 in SEC, 18-16 overall
Predicted SEC Finish: 10th
Projected Depth Chart
F/C: Kourtney Roberson (Sr)/Dylan Johns (So)
F: Antwan Space (Jr)/Tavario Miller (So)
SF: Jalen Jones (Jr)/Davonte Fitzgerald (So)
SG: Jordan Green (Sr)/Peyton Allen (Fr)
PG: Alex Caruso (Jr)/Alex Robinson (Fr)/Avery Johnson Jr. (Fr)
Gone: G-Fabyon Harris, SF-Jamal Jones, SG-Shawn Smith (transfer-Lee College)
2014-2015 Outlook:
The Aggies were one of the lowest scoring teams in the country last season so the departure (and following Twitter rant) of top scorer Jamal Jones hurts. Another Jones, Jalen will step after the first semester to add some needed scoring punch on the wing. The SMU transfer averaged 14 points and 7.7 rebounds per game before leaving the Mustangs midway through the season. Once he is able to suit up for A&M, Jalen Jones should immediately be the team’s go-to scorer. (UPDATE: Jones has been ruled immediately eligible by the NCAA and will play in the Aggies’ regular season opener)
Until then, Billy Kennedy has to find scoring among a group of returning players; none who averaged double digit point per games. Alex Caruso brings versatility to the point guard position and will initiate the offense. Jordan Green is the only other returning backcourt player while a trio of freshmen led by top 100 recruit, Alex Robinson look to provide depth.
One player to keep an eye on is forward Davonte Fitzgerald who averaged 7.3 points in just 15-plus minutes per game as a freshman. With an expected increased workload until Jones becomes eligible, Fitzgerald should end up being A&M’s best offensive weapon.
Kourtney Roberson and Antwan Space are back down low and bring some athleticism and toughness inside. Tavario Miller and Dylan Johns look to build off freshman campaigns in which they didn’t play real significant roles off the bench. A lack experienced depth across the roster is definitely something to keep an eye this season in College Station.
Kennedy does bring in an influx of talent next season led by Houston transfer, Danuel House who must sit out this season. A&M also has verbal commits from Tyler Davis and D.J. Hogg, a pair of top 40 recruits in 2015 class.
Key Non-Conference Games:
11/20 vs. Dayton (Puerto Rico Tip-Off)
11/21 vs. UConn/Charleston (Puerto Rico Tip-Off)
11/23 vs. West Virginia/George Mason/New Mexico/Boston College (Puerto Rico Tip-Off)
12/6 vs. Arizona State
12/9 at Baylor
12/20 at Kansas State
12/30 vs. Mercer
OTHER SEC PREVIEWS:
BIG 12 PREVIEWS:
#1 KANSAS JAYHAWKS
#2 TEXAS LONGHORNS
PAC-12 PREVIEWS:
#1 ARIZONA WILDCATS
#4 UCLA BRUINS
David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank. He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com and is a former contributor at The Washington Times Communities. David has appeared on numerous national radio programs spanning from Cleveland to New Orleans to Milwaukee to Honolulu. He also had the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft and the most accurate 2012 NBA Mock Draft on the internet (Yup, repeat champ… #humblebrag), and finished with the second most accurate 2013 NBA Mock Draft (nearly a three-peat.) You can follow him on Twitter at David_Kmiecik.