Billy Kennedy
Anthony Collins
Texas A&M Basketball
Aggies head to Tennessee, Danuel House expected to return
Note: View Billy Kennedy and Anthony Collins' pre-Tennessee remarks from Friday's practice above.
The Aggies may be apprehensive away from home, but at least on Saturday they can go to their House.
High-scoring guard Danuel House is expected back in the lineup when the No. 21 Aggies (12-2, 2-0 SEC) travel to face Tennessee (8-6, 1-1) in a Southeastern Conference basketball game on Saturday.
House missed Wednesday’s 61-60 win over Mississippi State. An A&M statement said he was sent home from Starkville for “personal reasons,” though coach Billy Kennedy seemed to indicate it was a disciplinary action.
“We’ll have everybody and look forward to getting everybody back on the same page,” Kennedy said on Friday. “You have issues in your family and you keep it in your family and that’s all I’ll elaborate on. He’s doing good and we’re looking forward to getting him back implemented into what we’re doing.”
House averages more than 15 points per game, so his absence was telling as the Aggies struggled offensively and were fortunate to escape with their fifth consecutive victory.
Actually, the Aggies are hopeful House’s absence explains their subpar performance in Starkville.
If not, they might have to face the possibility that they’re a team that struggles in true road games.
Conversely, Tennessee, in its first season under former Texas coach Rick Barnes, is 8-0 in Knoxville. That includes a stunning 83-69 triumph over Florida on Wednesday.
Guard Kevin Punter scored 26 points and freshman forward Admiral Schofield had 17 in that win.
Punter leads the Volunteers with a 23.1 point average, while 6-4 forward Armani Moore averages 13 points and 8.1 rebounds and 6-4 guard Robert Hubbs averages 12.6 points.
However, the Vols have been vulnerable defensively. They’re allowing 75 points per game and 81.1 points in their six losses.
Auburn beat the Volunteers 83-77 in their SEC opener.
That should be a reason for concern, especially against the Aggies who average 79.2 points.
That is, if A&M is shooting well.
The Aggies have averaged 54 points and shot just 30.8 percent from the field on their opponents’ home floor.
“We can’t shoot any worse than we shot at Mississippi State,” Kennedy said. “We’re telling our guys when you see it be ready to shoot it. We shot it when we needed to the last game.”
The Aggies may be apprehensive away from home, but at least on Saturday they can go to their House.
High-scoring guard Danuel House is expected back in the lineup when the No. 21 Aggies (12-2, 2-0 SEC) travel to face Tennessee (8-6, 1-1) in a Southeastern Conference basketball game on Saturday.
House missed Wednesday’s 61-60 win over Mississippi State. An A&M statement said he was sent home from Starkville for “personal reasons,” though coach Billy Kennedy seemed to indicate it was a disciplinary action.
“We’ll have everybody and look forward to getting everybody back on the same page,” Kennedy said on Friday. “You have issues in your family and you keep it in your family and that’s all I’ll elaborate on. He’s doing good and we’re looking forward to getting him back implemented into what we’re doing.”
House averages more than 15 points per game, so his absence was telling as the Aggies struggled offensively and were fortunate to escape with their fifth consecutive victory.
Actually, the Aggies are hopeful House’s absence explains their subpar performance in Starkville.
If not, they might have to face the possibility that they’re a team that struggles in true road games.
Matt Sachs, TexAgs
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A&M lost to Arizona State in its only other true road game.Conversely, Tennessee, in its first season under former Texas coach Rick Barnes, is 8-0 in Knoxville. That includes a stunning 83-69 triumph over Florida on Wednesday.
Guard Kevin Punter scored 26 points and freshman forward Admiral Schofield had 17 in that win.
Punter leads the Volunteers with a 23.1 point average, while 6-4 forward Armani Moore averages 13 points and 8.1 rebounds and 6-4 guard Robert Hubbs averages 12.6 points.
However, the Vols have been vulnerable defensively. They’re allowing 75 points per game and 81.1 points in their six losses.
Auburn beat the Volunteers 83-77 in their SEC opener.
That should be a reason for concern, especially against the Aggies who average 79.2 points.
That is, if A&M is shooting well.
The Aggies have averaged 54 points and shot just 30.8 percent from the field on their opponents’ home floor.
“We can’t shoot any worse than we shot at Mississippi State,” Kennedy said. “We’re telling our guys when you see it be ready to shoot it. We shot it when we needed to the last game.”
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