Aggies look to continue steady improvement tonight against Valparaiso
After a disappointing start, Texas A&M (4-4) has posted three consecutive basketball victories and appears on the path to improvement.
Junior guard Wendell Mitchell, who is a key figure in bouncing back from a 1-4 start, thinks so.
“I think we’re just building and getting better,” Mitchell said. “That’s the most important thing right now. Keep getting better and continuing to follow the path we’re on and keep building with these wins.”
The path to continued growth figures to lead to the 3-point line tonight when the Aggies play host to Valparaiso (6-5) at 7:30 p.m. at Reed Arena.
Valpo is a strong 3-point shooting team, which was demonstrated when the Crusaders converted 15 of 27 attempts behind the arc in an 82-79 victory over George Washington on December 8.
They’re inconsistent though. They followed by performance with just three triples in a 77-61 loss to Ball State on Monday night.
“Ball State beat them last night, which I was somewhat surprised,” A&M coach Billy Kennedy said. “They made 15 3’s against George Washington and only made three last night. I’m hoping we can keep them from getting going from the 3-point line. When they make 3’s they’re hard to beat.”
The Aggies cannot put all their defensive emphasis on the perimeter though. The Crusaders also have an inside threat in 7-foot-1 center Derrik Smits, the son of former Indiana Pacers star Rik Smits.
Smits had averaged 16.5 points in seven games before behind held to just 2 points in the loss to Ball State. He posted a double double (20 points, 12 rebounds) in a win over UNLV on Nov. 28 and another (14 points, 12 rebounds) in a loss to High Point on Dec. 4.
Aggies posts Christian Mekowulu and Josh Nebo will have to keep Smits in check.
“We’re gonna have to guard him, too,” Kennedy said. “Our post guys have done a good job defending guys one-on-one. We haven’t had to double very much. But if we have to we’re prepared to double."
Smits is by no means the Crusaders’ only threat. Three other players average in double figures. Ryan Frazekas, a 6-foot-7 guard, averages 13.2 points, while 6-2 guard Bakari Evelyn and 6-6 guard Markus Golden average over 10.
Yet, Kennedy is more concerned with his own team. The Aggies are showing signs of better shooting. Guard T. J. Starks hit 8 of 17 attempts in a 67-64 victory over Oregon State on Saturday, while Mitchell, Brandon Mahan and John Walker all scored 10 points.
The Aggies also dished out 16 assists. However, they committed 15 turnovers and made some questionable when almost squandering an 8-point lead in the final two minutes.
“Our decision making is something that has not been solid,” Kennedy said. “It was pretty good against Oregon State until the two minutes of the game. That’s something that’s key —our guards making good decisions.”
Making better decisions could also keep A&M on the right path.
