Aggies can lean on size advantage to contain energized Missouri squad
For Texas A&M to continue its remarkable resurgence, the Aggies must topple a foe on a surge of its own.
The Aggies (17-7, 6-6) have rebounded from an 0-5 start start in Southeastern Conference play to win six of their last seven conference clashes and returned to the national rankings at No. 21.
Their resurgence includes a four-game winning streak in which the Aggies have most recently toppled No. 8 Auburn and No. 24 Kentucky.
They try to continue that momentum on Tuesday night at Missouri (17-8, 7-5), which is also riding a four-game winning streak.
“They’re playing extremely well, winning four in a row,” A&M coach Billy Kennedy said. “We both play a similar, physical style. We both play two post guys, so it’s going to be a physical, defensive matchup. Whoever gets to 60 first probably has the best chance to win.”
Missouri guard Kassius Robertson has averaged 21.3 points in the last six games. The last time he scored fewer than 16 points was in a 60-49 loss to A&M on Jan. 20 when he was held to seven on 1 of 11 shooting.
“Admon and our team was very aware and we made that a priority," Kennedy said. "Now, we’re going to have to do it again. He’s just really good and explosive coming off screens. We’ve got to do a good job helping off the screens. Moreso, probably, this time than last time.”
Perhaps there is concern if the Aggies have the personnel to handcuff him again.
Gilder remains a defensive stalwart, but it was learned on Monday that a knee injury will force senior point guard Duane Wilson to miss the remainder of the season.
“He gave us his heart and soul and his knee, basically, in the Kentucky game and the last couple of weeks,” Kennedy said of Wilson. “It just caught up with him. Unfortunately, he had to have surgery, but it’s in the best interest for him.”
Add to that the dismissal of point guard J.J. Caldwell for repeatedly breaking team rules and a suspension to freshman guard Jay Jay Chandler, and the Aggies’ back court depth is suddenly an issue.
Kennedy said he could use reserve guard Chris Collins more and use Gilder and even freshman Savion Flagg as a backup to starting point T.J. Starks, who on Monday was named the SEC’s freshman of the week.
“Chris Collins has been a kid who has been good in practice all year long,” Kennedy said. “He hasn’t played a lot, but he played a lot last year at the point. He’s somebody we feel good about. He’ll be ready to go.
“Admon or Savion could play the point, but the way T.J. is playing right now, being freshman of the week, we feel good about the way he’s playing.”
The first game against Missouri was launching pad of sorts for Starks. He scored 11 against the Tigers and has averaged 13.3 points in the last seven games.
But the big difference in the first meeting was A&M’s dominance in the paint. The Aggies outscored the Tigers, 32-22, inside, scored 11 second-chance points and boasted a 46-38 edge in rebounding.
Tonny Trocha-Morelos came off the bench to score 14 points in that game, while Tyler Davis had a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Robert Williams also dominated inside with 13 points and nine rebounds.
“We need to go in with the impression that we’re going to dominate them inside,” Kennedy said. “But they’ve got young post guys. Them playing at home is a little different element than playing them here at our place."