Aggie Basketball looking to build momentum as SEC play approaches
Tough times call for tough decisions. Texas A&M basketball coach Buzz Williams certainly made one recently.
Trailing Texas A&M-Corpus Christi by 11 points last Sunday, Williams benched struggling senior guard Chuck Mitchell for most of the second half. The Aggies rallied to a 66-63 victory, largely because they committed just five turnovers in the second half.
Mitchell, who was among the Aggies’ most reliable players last season, has struggled with turnovers. Therefore, he played only seven minutes against A&M-Corpus Christi.
That raises the obvious question of whether his minutes will continue to diminish when the Aggies (4-5) face surging Oregon State (7-1) Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Reed Arena.
“Chuck is my favorite guy. I tell our players that. Chuck knows that,” Williams said. “He’s not playing good. If turnovers are a problem, whether you’re my favorite or not my favorite, you’ve got to sit down.
“He’s not what you would call a superb cover-2 defender, anyway. So, if you have two turnovers in two minutes and we’re trying not to turn the ball over, and that’s been the premise, you have to sit down.
“Whether you’re name is Chuck or not, if you’re turning the ball over at a high rate, I’ve got to turn your water off at some point.”
The Aggies are averaging 14.9 turnovers, so obviously Mitchell isn’t the only one with a problem. Also, turnovers are not the only issue. A&M is also among the worst in the nation in field goal percentage and 3-point shooting percentage.
A team struggling to make shots cannot afford to constantly waste possessions.
“Aggies don’t need to beat Aggies,” Williams said. “Let’s do that first. Let’s win that game. Aggies don’t beat Aggies. Well, if you turn the ball over at any sport, you’re preventing yourself a chance to win.
“We need to not beat ourselves. We beat ourselves too often in turning the ball over at the rate we have been.”
Mitchell’s uncertain status means the Aggies could be without — at least to some degree — its four leading scorers in last year’s 67-64 victory over Oregon State in the Dam City Classic in Portland.
TJ Starks had 18 points, while Brandon Mahan, John Walker and Mitchell each had 10.
TJ Starks left A&M last month. Mahan transferred to Central Florida. Walker transferred to Texas Southern. Meanwhile, Oregon State, which most recently defeated Texas-San Antonio, returns its top players from that game.
Junior guard Ethan Thompson had 20 points and senior forward Tres Tinkle had 17 a year ago. Thus far this season, Thompson is averaging 16.1 points, while Tinkle averages 20.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists. Also, 7-foot forward Kyle Kelley averages 11.7 points.
With that trio leading the way, Oregon State is averaging 80.9 points to rank 27th nationally in scoring. The Beavers are also seventh in field goal percentage.
Overcoming that will be difficult chore. But an upset would give the Aggies a jolt of much needed momentum with Southeastern Conference play looming. It would also even their record at 5-5. That would be a heck of a Christmas gift.
“I say this maybe in the wrong tone, and it sounds like a coach,” Williams said. “It would be miraculous to beat Oregon State and be .500 at Christmas. I told my wife I don’t need a Christmas stocking if we’re able to do that. That would be fabulous.”
