Aggies look to mirror performance against mirror opponent Auburn

Texas A&M is seeking a mirror performance against a mirror opponent.

The Aggies (16-7, 7-2) hope to duplicate a marvelous showing in a Southeastern Conference basketball rematch with Auburn (17-6, 7-3) on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Reed Arena.

Two weeks ago, the Aggies were at their absolute best in a 79-63 trouncing of the then-No. 15 Tigers at Auburn.

Reflecting on that victory, which ended Auburn’s 28-game home winning streak, A&M senior guard Tyrece Radford exploded for 30 points, the Aggies converted 20-of-24 free throws, and Auburn managed to hit just three times from behind the arc.

“We did what we needed to do,” A&M junior forward Julius Marble II said. “Executed the game plan last time. It was a big game on the road. They had their win streak going on. It was just a lot going on at the time.”

Auburn has made a few changes since that loss to A&M.

“They’re doing some different things than they did the last time we played them,” A&M coach Buzz Williams said. “(Guard K.D. Johnson) is playing a lot more. (Six-foot-10 forward Johni Broome) has been even more effective than he was since then.”

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Julius Marble II scored just nine points despite being 4-of-7 from the field in A&M’s beatdown of Auburn on Jan. 25.

Johnson has played more minutes and has scored in double figures in the three games since he had just five points against the Aggies.

Broome has had 11 offensive rebounds and scored 45 points in the last three games.

“They’re a little faster in transition than they were,” Williams said. “Playing off a little more ball screens than they have.

“We were fortunate. I think our guys did a really good job. I think (Andersson Garcia) was key in that game. I think (Andre Gordon) did a lot of good things. Obviously, Boots was superlative. But all of those things were needed in order to have a chance to win at their place.”

What is likely to be a sellout crowd will wonder if whether they have a chance at Reed Arena.
The 16-point margin of victory proves the Aggies certainly can win again. After all, they beat “mirror” opponent Florida twice already.

But the Aggies likely will need to win differently.

No doubt, Auburn coach Bruce Pearl is scheming to ensure Radford doesn’t victimize the Tigers again.

Marble anticipates as much, and he expects to be more productive than in the first game when he and junior forward Henry Coleman III combined for just 16 points.

But Coleman has been on a scoring surge of late. He scored 51 points in the last three games.

“They should scout (Radford) this time and be mindful of that because he had 30 points last time, I think,” Marble said. "It should open up for everybody, not just me. I think last time, me and Henry combined for… what? — 15 points — something like that. That doesn’t happen too often with us. But we won the game either way because Boots was fantastic.”

“I think it will open up a lot more opportunities for me as well as Henry and other guys.”

Which may open opportunities for A&M to notch another big win.