Spring Break
Brazos Battle
Men's basketball team renews rivalry
By: David Arno
Issue date: 2/13/09 Section: Sports
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Both teams are looking to get back on track to an NCAA tournament bid.
The Aggies (17-7, 3-6) have dropped two consecutive games, losing to Oklahoma on the road and a close game to Kansas State at home. A&M has yet to win on the road in Big 12 play.
"I don't think either one of us expected to be where we are, but we are," said A&M Head Coach Mark Turgeon. "We've been in every game. We lost two close ones, games that we could've won. Instead we have our backs against the wall, and I expect our guys to play that way and Baylor will play that way, too."
There are seven games remaining in the regular season, and Turgeon said there are plenty of opportunities to salvage the season. He said that is the team's mindset as it approaches the final games.
When the two teams met in 2008, the Bears won a five overtime game in College Station, then lost at home later in the season. During the game in Waco, fans threw soda bottles onto the court as time expired.
"We had the five overtime game and then we went down there last year," said junior forward Bryan Davis. "When we have games like that, it's like a rivalry period within the two teams. It doesn't have to be like a big team like Texas-Texas A&M rivalry. I think this is pretty much a rivalry between us now."
Baylor (15-9, 3-7) has lost six consecutive games after starting conference play 3-1. The Bears are coming off a home loss where they took No. 2 Oklahoma to the wire.
The first time the Bears and Aggies met in 2009, A&M took down then No. 21 Baylor 84-73 in College Station.
"I expect our guys to be loose and to play well," Turgeon said. "I think we know what Baylor is all about, how they try to score and how they do things, and that helps. The more you're familiar with that the better it is for your players. I expect us to play well and be familiar and be excited about the game."
With the NCAA tournament beginning in March, the Aggies are in need of wins to help their résumé. Turgeon said the game against Baylor is a must-win.
"We've got to beat Baylor," Turgeon said. "They know where we are and we're trying to salvage something. The sun is going to come up Sunday whether we win or lose. It'll shine a little bit brighter if we win."
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