Game 29 - Conference Game #16

Aggies Record: (19-9, 9-6)
Aggies Kenpom: 36
Opponent: tu (17-11, 8-7)
Opponent Kenpom: 31
Quad Opportunity: Quad 1
Date: February 28th
Time: 3:00pm
Location: The Beautiful Reed Arena - College Station, Texas
Streaming: ESPN2
Betting Spread: Texas A&M -3.5
Radio: https://12thmanfoundation.evenue.net/event/B25/MB01?RSRC=SIDEARM&RDAT=sgl
Live Stats: https://12thman.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary


Game Preview
Us vs them. Part 2. This time it's in front of us, the 12th Man. 3pm Reed Arena, let's go BTHO tu and solidify our spot in the NCAA Tourney.

Two teams projected as 10 seeds, two rivals who don't like each other, 40 minutes, one day away from March, everything on the line, these are the moments we live for. When we decided to attend college at Texas A&M, when we put on that ring, when we walked across that stage, it was for moments like this. A game that means so much when you throw out the records, but means so much more this year when you know what's at stake.

The Aggies are coming off a loss at Arkansas whey they struggled to keep up with the fast pace and athletic Razorbacks while the sips lost to Florida. The Aggies are a game up in the conference standings ahead of tu and a win this afternoon will do wonders for our post season hopes. With only 3 games left, a win would be huge and it would get us to 20 wins and 10 conference wins.

Earlier in the season we went into the Moody Center and took them down thanks to a strong second half. they are still very similar and run a lot of their offense in a two man game between 6'8 Dailyn Swain and 7'1 Matas Voiketaitis. They lack a true point guard but instead rely on Swain and Tramon Mark to run their offense, but their first look will always be to Voiketaitas. They do have some strong shooters in Jordan Pope and Cam Heide. They lack depth, especially behind Voiketaitas without forward Lassina Traore out.

So at home we need to attack them early, frustrate them, and control the game from start to finish. They love to play two man ball or have Swain work one on one with a mismatch. So we need to work on switches well and have backside help with Voiketaitis. The best way to take them down is to get him in foul trouble. It's his biggest weakness so we're gonna need Agee and Clemence to go at him and draw some fouls.

Tu has a stingy defense, especially in the paint. We came alive in that game after some Griffen three pointers. We'll need to see some three's fly to open up our offense. I don't care if it's Dominguez, Clemence, a yell leader, Bobinator, method man, anyone. I just want to see us make some three's and hear the crowd roar. We need to get back to moving the ball, cutting, back door screens, skip passes.

I have a feeling the home crowd will be a huge help. It's going to be a pressure filled game, emotions high, stakes higher. Let's stay true to our system and play Bucky Ball. Tomorrow marks 20 years of "The Shot" by Acie Law. Let's make tomorrow a memorable game for this rivalry. Let's win this and send them to the wrong side of the bubble! I believe, let's BTHO tu!!!!

F sip. Forever and always. Beat em by 30

I was curious to see just how unique Marcus Hill has been in terms of "small guy in a high major conference who almost exclusively scores right at the basket" (and is relatively prolific), so I did some Torvik research.

Hill is 92-143 from "Close 2" range and has only made 21 shots outside that range (6 Far 2's and 15 3's), meaning 81% of his makes are Close 2's.

If I sort by players 6'3" and under, in high major conferences, with at least 80 made shots from Close 2 and less than 40 3's made, there are 7 guys who fit that criteria (Hill being the only one in the SEC). Within that group, the closest in terms of percentage of total field goals from Close 2 is Anthony Johnson of Arizona State at 73%. The next closest is Nigel James of Marquette at 69%. The rest of 65% and below, so Hill is quite unique in this regard with these cherry-picked stats. His FG% from Close 2 is also highest amongst that group.

Beat the Ever Livin, ever Lovin, Complex, Compound, Hell Outta tu!!!

This feels like a massively important game to me. I know it's not absolutely vital for our tourney chances, but in terms of Bucky solidifying support and signaling that he truly is paving a new and better path for the program, I think he really needs a W today.

It's currently me and then a big group a few spots over.

The student line is already almost to the street though and about to turn the corner.

Just wanted to say good luck. We're all counting on you.