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November 1st,
2006
By Joel Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Texas A&M
Aggies
Overall Rank:
#12
Conference
Rank:
#2 Big 12
2005-06:
22-9, 10-6, 4th
2005-06
postseason: NCAA
 Just three years
ago Coach Billy Gillispie inhereted a
Texas A&M squad that went 0-17
in the Big XII. Suddenly the Aggies are garnering top 15
expectations and a legitimate chance to win the conference and
make a deep, deep run in the tournament. The quick and amazing
turnaround is all credited to Coach Gillispie and this should be
the season where it all pays off.
Who’s Out:
The
numbers don’t tell the story with Chris Walker. He averaged
just 3.8 points and 2.5 rebounds while starting 24 contests
during his senior campaign. However, he was the emotional
leader of the team and a great defender. Eddie Smith, Kenneth
White and Edjuan Green didn’t make a huge impact for the Aggies
last year and will not be returning to College Station this
season.
Who’s In:
This might
be the best class in the history of TAMU, and adding a few
redshirts makes this list even better. Power forwards Slade
Weishuhn and Bryan Davis and center Chinemelu Elonu will add
depth up front. Weishuhn, who missed last season with a variety
of injuries, is a solid shooter for a 6-9, 225 pounder and could
develop into a decent contributor this year. Davis is the most
highly touted incoming freshmen of the bunch. The 6-9, 245
pound Dallas product averaged 18.1 points, 15.3 rebounds and 3.4
blocks per game as a senior in high school. Elonu, a redshirt
freshman, can provide a shot blocking presence in the paint if
he can manage to work his way into the rotation. Logan Lee had
to sit out due to transfer rules in 2004-2005 and missed last
year with a knee injury. The 6-2 point guard averaged 4.2
points and 3.6 assists at Hawaii and will provide some
experience off the bench. Bryan Beasley may be the point guard
of the future. At 5-10 and with a shooter’s mentality, Beasley
is really a two guard, but his size might force him into running
the point. Bryson Graham, Derrick Roland, Donald Sloan and
Jerrod Johnson will battle for playing time on the wings.
Graham averaged 15.5 points last year at Lon Morris Junior
College. At this point in his career, Roland will be most
effective as a long range shooter off the bench. Sloan is a
great athlete who loves getting to the rim and can beat you with
his outside shot as well. Johnson, a quarterback on the
football team, isn’t expected to see much action on the court.
Who to Watch:
The
depth in the backcourt will have to come from the long list
above of guys who didn’t play last year. Acie Law, Dominique
Kirk and Josh Carter are the only perimeter players returning
and should be the starters. Law averaged 16.1 points and 4.0
assists and is a great floor leader. Kirk tacked on 6.9 points
and 2.7 assists. Together, the duo forms a defensive nightmare
on the perimeter for the opposition. Carter only started five
games as a freshman last year, but came on strong late in the
campaign. If the sharpshooter continues to improve, Carter will
be a big time scoring threat.
Final
Projection:
Joseph Jones
will anchor the frontcourt once again after averaging 15.3
points and 6.5 rebounds last year. Jones is a great post
defender and, if he can stay out of foul trouble, has first-team
all-conference honors waiting for him. Marlon Pompey started 30
games at the four spot last year, but Antanas Kavaliauskas and
all the newcomers won’t make it easy for Pompey to keep the
job. What will make this a great team instead of a good team is
the depth. Much of the depth does not have experience, but the
sheer number of quality players all over the floor has never
been higher at A&M. Of course the defense will be great again,
but the offensive output needs to improve and remain consistent
in order for the Aggies to go beyond the Sweet Sixteen.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NCAA
Projected
Starting Five:
Acie Law,
Senior, Guard, 16.1 points per game
Dominique Kirk,
Junior, Guard, 6.9 points per game
Josh Carter,
Sophomore, Guard, 8.3 points per game
Marlon Pompey,
Senior, Forward, 5.3 points per game
Joseph Jones,
Junior, Center, 15.3 points per game
Also:
Complete
Big 12 Preview & Ranking
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