Aggies look to top upset-minded Buffalo in return of Robert Williams

The goal for Texas A&M Basketball is simple: Don’t be like North Carolina.

Well, that’s the goal for tonight, anyway. Of course, A&M aspires to reach the elite status of fifth-ranked North Carolina, the defending national champion.

However, when the No. 8 Aggies face Buffalo (7-4) Thursday night at Reed Arena they hope to avoid becoming upset victims like the Tar Heels were in a 79-75 loss to Wofford last night.

Buffalo has already come close to pulling off a couple of major upsets. Earlier this season the Bulls lost, 73-67, to No. 20 Cincinnati. Two days ago they led 10-1 Syracuse with 3:16 remaining before falling, 81-74.

Dallas product C.J. Massinburg, a 6-foot-3 junior guard, averages 19.5 points to lead the Bulls, who average 81.4 points per game. Five other Bulls average in double figures, but that includes Missouri transfer Wes Clark, who has only played in one game. He scored 15 against Syracuse.

Obviously, the Bulls can score in bunches.

However, they give up points in loads, too. Buffalo allows an average of 76.9 points per game.

The Bulls also rank a mere 210th in rebounding margin. In contrast, A&M is ninth in that statistical category.

The Aggies should have a decided advantage inside with 6-10 center Tyler Davis and 6-9 forward Robert Williams back in the lineup after missing two games in concussion protocol.

A&M has its concerns, though.

The Aggies are hoping for a bounce back effort from guard D.J. Hogg, who hit just 1 of 8 field goal attempts and scored just four points in 64-58 win over Northern Kentucky on Tuesday. Also, guard Admon Gilder remains sidelined with a knee injury.

However, the Aggies have gotten a boost from freshmen J.J. Caldwell and Savion Flagg. Caldwell had six points, eight rebounds and four assists against Northern Kentucky. Flagg had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

“J.J. Caldwell created some opportunities for us to score,” coach Billy Kennedy said after the game on Tuesday night. “We’ve got a deep team. It’s a good thing we’ve been able to play those guys earlier this season, so it’s not the first time they’ve been in hard-fought combat type games.”

The Aggies can expect to be that type game again.