Texas A&M Team Report

GETTING INSIDE

One of the most surprising developments for Texas A&M in regard to the upcoming season came in June.

That’s when Chinemelu Elonu, a budding forward who could benefit from more seasoning at the college level, remained available for the NBA Draft. He eventually was selected as the next-to-last pick, going in the second round to the Los Angeles Lakers.

In time, that decision could work out well for Elonu as long as he sticks with the perennial contender or finds a spot elsewhere for his active 6-10 frame.

But Texas A&M was left scrambling for answers, though 6-9 senior Bryan Davis is a beast underneath and could pad his numbers as one of the most underrated players in the Big 12.

Davis averaged 10.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game last season as the Aggies finished 24-10 overall and tied for fourth in the Big 12 at 9-7 before falling in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Still, for the second time in three years, A&M must replace its two best players after also losing leading scorer Josh Carter.

“We have some holes to fill, but some young kids are going to get some opportunities to play, and we’ll see how they react,” coach Mark Turgeon said. “If they react well, then we’re going to be good again.”

Sophomore David Loubeau, an offensive threat who needs work on the defensive end, will be the first candidate to replace Elonu. Freshman Khris Middleton also figures to get minutes, and 7-0 sophomore James Blasczyk could get an audition as well.

An experienced backcourt not only includes two seniors who return as starters, Donald Sloan and Derrick Roland, but also B.J. Holmes and Dash Harris off the bench. Naji Hibbert is a freshman who should contribute.

Count on the Aggies to battle again for an upper-division slot in the conference race.

NOTES, QUOTES

• Reed Arena was transformed into one of the toughest Big 12 stops when Texas A&M began its basketball turnaround under Billy Gillispie, and it remains a difficult place to play under third-year coach Mark Turgeon. The Aggies have won at least 16 home games each of the last five seasons. Included in their success is a string of 56 consecutive nonconference victories dating to 2003. Its 83 home victories over the last five seasons ranks as the second-most in the country behind Memphis (89).

• Although Texas A&M is building its recruiting base some, Turgeon likes to scour Texas as much as possible. The Aggies’ three returning starters are all seniors Gillispie recruited from Dallas.

Last Year:   24-10 overall, 9-7 in the Big 12; lost in second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Head Coach:   Mark Turgeon (career 202-140); third year at Texas A&M (49-21).

Quote To Note:   “We still have expectations. We’re still going to be good. We have good basketball players, and we have some senior leadership, so we are looking forward to it.”—Texas A&M coach Mark Turgeon.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Scouting The Newcomers:   It is difficult to assess exactly how big an impact any newcomers might provide. G Naji Hibbert and F Khris Middleton were ranked among the top 100 nationally by some recruiting services and figure to get some immediate minutes, though coach Mark Turgeon often brings first-year players along slowly.

Key Early-season Games:   As part of the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series, Texas A&M was stuck with one of the toughest draws. It will face defending Pac-10 champion Washington in Seattle. Before that date right before Christmas, the Aggies will travel to Anaheim, Calif., to play in the 76 Classic. They open against Clemson, then play either West Virginia or Long Beach State before closing the Thanksgiving event with three games in four days. An early trip to SMU is the only other nonconference journey in addition to the Washington game at Seattle.

Program Direction:   Billy Gillispie began the basketball reclamation at Texas A&M and Mark Turgeon has followed quite nicely after he was hired out of Wichita State. The Aggies’ string of NCAA Tournament appearances has grown to four straight, and they won at least won game each time. In addition, A&M is sending players to the next level. It is the only Big 12 program to have a player drafted each of the last three years. With a $23 million state-of-the-art facility to recruit to, the Aggies aren’t going away.

Probable Starting Lineup:   F Bryan Davis, C David Loubeau, G Derrick Roland, G Naji Hibbert, G Donald Sloan.

Roster Report:  

• G Jordan Green accepted an offer to be part of Texas A&M’s 2011 recruiting class despite playing as a backup his sophomore year in high school. Green, who is from Flower Mound, Texas, played summer AAU ball for the first time and built his credentials by making a favorable impression. A much more heralded recruit, G Jamal Branch, is also part of the 2011 class for the Aggies..

• F Chinemulu Elonu did not hurt the Academic Progress Rate the Aggies maintain for basketball after graduating before he departed for the NBA. All 12 seniors (in school) on the A&M roster have graduated the last three years.