Click HERE to view Texas A&M’s Friday press conference.
Big victories over Ohio State, Creighton, Rutgers and Texas Tech adorn Texas A&M’s impressive basketball resume.
The crown jewel of A&M’s non-conference schedule can be added on Saturday when the No. 17 Aggies (8-2) travel to face No. 11 Purdue (8-2) at 11 a.m. CT in Indianapolis.
A victory over Purdue wouldn’t just extend A&M’s four-game winning streak. It would also count as a valuable Quadrant 1 win and could significantly change how the Aggies are viewed when NCAA Tournament seedings are discussed.
Purdue is a traditionally powerful Big Ten program that played for the national championship just last season.
“They’re for sure the best offense we’ve played,” A&M coach Buzz Williams said. “(They have) Three starters that played in the national championship game. Seven returning players. Coach (Matt Painter) has been incredible in his time there.
“We’re probably going to have to play our best just to have a chance.”
Although the Boilermakers no longer have 7-foot-4 center Zach Edey — the ninth overall selection in the NBA Draft last June — they still have a glut of high-level talent.
Trey Kaufman-Renn, a 6-foot-9 junior forward, is ranked among the nation’s top 40 with an 18.9 scoring average. He also averages a team-high 6.7 rebounds.
Kaufman-Renn is complimented by a strong perimeter shooting attack led by guards Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith, who both average over 13 points and have hit 21 times from 3-point range.
Loyer shoots 52.5 percent from 3-point range. Smith hits 42 percent. Overall, Purdue shoots 40.78 percent beyond the arc to rank sixth in the nation.
The Boilermakers’ 3-point shooting was key in their two biggest wins — both over ranked SEC opponents.
Purdue shot 56.3 percent (9-of-16) from 3-point range in an 87-78 victory over Alabama. The Boilermakers shot 45.5 percent (10-of-22) in an 80-78 win over Ole Miss.
That sets up an interesting matchup with the Aggies, who limit opponents to 29.3 shooting from behind the arc. A&M is ranked in the top 10 nationally in overall defense.
“It’s the highest we’ve ever been ranked in any metric since we’ve been here,” Williams said. “Coach Devin (Johnson) has done an incredible job. Our staff in preparation for the opponents and then our players maturity, but also ability to execute the plan has been really good. I think the accumulated reps of our defense over time, for sure, helps.
“But the changes in ball-screen coverages, the changes in what we do in the front court as the possession begins, some of those subtle tweaks depending on opponent — I don’t know if they’ve necessarily been the reason we’re top 10 — but they’ve aided, for sure.”
The Aggies fully understand those tweaks will be vital against Purdue, which has scored at least 80 points in seven games.
“We haven’t played a team that sets as many ball screens as they do,” A&M forward Solomon Washington said. “We have to be very locked into our ball-screen coverage. The other three that are not in the ball-screen coverage ... we have to be on the same page.”
Purdue will have some challenges on the defensive end, too.
Guards Wade Taylor IV and Zhuric Phelps average 16.1 points and 13 points, respectively. Forward Henry Coleman III is averaging 10.5 points and 6.3 rebounds.
Further, the Aggies lead the nation in offensive rebounding. They’re ranked 21st in free throws per game.
Rebounding, free throws and tight defense have been leading factors in A&M posting so many victories.
They figure to be key for the Aggies to hopefully notch the biggest one, yet.
