SEC heat stays intense as No. 11 Texas A&M meets No. 8 Kentucky
Click HERE to view Texas A&M’s Monday press conference.
Goodbye, frying pan. Hello, fire.
As Texas A&M has learned — and keeps learning — the heat is always intense in Southeastern Conference basketball.
Having posted a road win over then-No. 17 Oklahoma and a home loss to then-No. 5 Alabama, the No. 11 Aggies (13-3, 2-1) next travel to face No. 8 Kentucky (13-3, 2-1) on Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT.
“It’s every part of any challenge you can possibly think of,” A&M head coach Buzz Williams said on Monday. “I’m grateful for the opportunity just to be able to experience it. I think our guys have, for sure, an attitude of gratitude. They’re aware of the success of this league.”
Indeed, nine SEC teams — more than half the league — are among the AP’s top 25 rankings. Because the league is so competitive, losses are not yet devastating.
But each victory, especially those won on the road, is of utmost value.
Getting another victory will require A&M’s strong defense containing the explosive Wildcats, who are the nation’s third-highest team with an 89.2-point average.
Five Kentucky players average in double figures. Guards Otega Oweh (15.6 PPG) and Lamont Butler (13.9) lead the Wildcats.
However, the most dangerous is arguably guard Koby Brea, who is second in the nation in 3-point accuracy. He is hitting 48 percent from behind the arc.
“For sure, the prettiest offense in the country,” Williams said. “Analytically, they’re the third-best offense. Just how they play. Very unique. Dissimilar to any team in the SEC in the time we’ve been here.
“I don’t know that we know how to slow it down or stop it. Not many teams have had much success with it.”
The Aggies are ranked a healthy 41st in the nation in scoring defense. Even after falling to Alabama 94-88, they’re still allowing an average of 65.4 points.
However, it’ll likely take more than strong defense to leave Rupp Arena victorious.
A&M must work out whatever problems that resulted in missing 20 free throws in the loss to Alabama. They must also continue to thrive on the offensive boards where they lead the nation.
They’re likely going to be without leading scorer Wade Taylor IV, who figures to sit out a third consecutive game with an undisclosed injury.
In Taylor’s absence, guard Zhuric Phelps has scored 58 points. Also, Hayden Hefner has been a productive source of scoring. He’s scored 24 points in the two games without Taylor.
The Aggies have gotten a huge boost from the inside play of 6-foot-9 forward Pharrel Payne. He’s scored in double figures in five of the last six games, including a 23-point, 9-rebound effort against Alabama.
“I think he’s just embraced all parts of how we go about things,” Williams said. “I was just telling him in practice, ‘I think you’re just now beginning to figure out how you can take all these things, and it’ll make you an even better player than you currently are.’”
