Spring Break
Keeping it interesting
Aggies strive to keep undefeated home record, snap losing streak
By: Bryan McAnally
Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: News
Texas A&M Head Coach Mark Turgeon, prior to the 2007-2008 season, admitted he has never 'inherited talent,' and because of that his inaugural season at A&M would be, among other things, interesting. Three games into Big 12 play, interesting is an understatement.
Nonconference play went well for the Aggies, who went 13-1 in 2007, losing only to Arizona. Early in 2007, Turgeon's squad peaked at No. 10 in the country and opened conference play with an 86-69 win over Colorado, extending their record to 15-1.
Since that victory 11 days ago, good news has been hard to come by for the Aggies. Twice last week on the road, the Aggies lost both games to unranked teams. The first defeat was to Texas Tech 68-53, giving Coach Bobby Knight his 900th career victory, followed shortly by Kansas State 75-54, ultimately sending Texas A&M down in the rankings to No. 18.
At home, Texas A&M is undefeated. This success can be contributed to the home court advantage, endless ranting from the Reed Rowdies or the complete lack of opposition. Reed Arena has yet to see two ranked men's teams on the court at the same time.
This changes Wednesday when the Aggies match up against the surprisingly successful, and now ranked, No. 25 Baylor Bears. Baylor poses the first legitimate threat to upset the Aggies in front of the Reed faithful.
Baylor is 15-2 this season and perfect in Big 12 play. This streak of success comes as a surprise to many because the Bears are 28-48 over the previous three seasons. Although they have played only one ranked team, then No. 6 Washington State, the Bears kept that contest close. They never trailed by more than seven points but eventually succumbed to a rebounded put-back by WSU's Robbie Cowgill with 15 seconds left, which ended the game 67-64.
The Bears' success could be attributed to young talent. Although the youngest starter is sophomore center Josh Lomers, the Baylor bench has two freshmen and a sophomore that are making names for themselves.
Freshman guard LaceDarius Dunn averages 20.4 minutes and 12.3 points and has had two 20-point games, but tends to get into foul trouble.
Freshman forward Djibril "Penny" Thiam averages only 17.3 points a game and is ranked seventh in play-time, but collects an average of 4.1 rebounds, tied for second on the team.
Sophomore Tweety Carter is the Bears' most played nonstarter. Carter averages 22.6 minutes and 9.2 points a game.
This trio of up-and-coming Baylor athletes combined with the hardened starters, of which only one is a senior, look to continue their undefeated Big 12 play and force Texas A&M to continue their two game Big 12 losing streak.
Nonconference play went well for the Aggies, who went 13-1 in 2007, losing only to Arizona. Early in 2007, Turgeon's squad peaked at No. 10 in the country and opened conference play with an 86-69 win over Colorado, extending their record to 15-1.
Since that victory 11 days ago, good news has been hard to come by for the Aggies. Twice last week on the road, the Aggies lost both games to unranked teams. The first defeat was to Texas Tech 68-53, giving Coach Bobby Knight his 900th career victory, followed shortly by Kansas State 75-54, ultimately sending Texas A&M down in the rankings to No. 18.
At home, Texas A&M is undefeated. This success can be contributed to the home court advantage, endless ranting from the Reed Rowdies or the complete lack of opposition. Reed Arena has yet to see two ranked men's teams on the court at the same time.
This changes Wednesday when the Aggies match up against the surprisingly successful, and now ranked, No. 25 Baylor Bears. Baylor poses the first legitimate threat to upset the Aggies in front of the Reed faithful.
Baylor is 15-2 this season and perfect in Big 12 play. This streak of success comes as a surprise to many because the Bears are 28-48 over the previous three seasons. Although they have played only one ranked team, then No. 6 Washington State, the Bears kept that contest close. They never trailed by more than seven points but eventually succumbed to a rebounded put-back by WSU's Robbie Cowgill with 15 seconds left, which ended the game 67-64.
The Bears' success could be attributed to young talent. Although the youngest starter is sophomore center Josh Lomers, the Baylor bench has two freshmen and a sophomore that are making names for themselves.
Freshman guard LaceDarius Dunn averages 20.4 minutes and 12.3 points and has had two 20-point games, but tends to get into foul trouble.
Freshman forward Djibril "Penny" Thiam averages only 17.3 points a game and is ranked seventh in play-time, but collects an average of 4.1 rebounds, tied for second on the team.
Sophomore Tweety Carter is the Bears' most played nonstarter. Carter averages 22.6 minutes and 9.2 points a game.
This trio of up-and-coming Baylor athletes combined with the hardened starters, of which only one is a senior, look to continue their undefeated Big 12 play and force Texas A&M to continue their two game Big 12 losing streak.
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