Texas A&M hopes to harmonize in penultimate tune-up vs. HCU

With the Christmas season comes familiar catchy music.

Yet, for Texas A&M basketball, perhaps the most enjoyable tune is likely a tune-up.

That's what the Aggies (7-4) will search for on Friday when they host Houston Christian (2-8) for a 7 p.m. CT tip inside Reed Arena.

"I think it's an opportunity for us for the first time in a long time to spend an inordinate amount of time concentrating on what we've learned the first six weeks of the season," said A&M head coach Buzz Williams. "You try to figure out what took place in the last game that translates to helping us for the next game, but you leave things from the previous game that still need to be identified and taught better."

While not necessarily out of key, the Aggies have lost their last two games to Memphis and then-No. 4 Houston, respectively.

With conference action set to begin on Jan. 6, A&M should be singing the praises of a revamped non-conference slate. Even after the aforementioned setbacks, A&M still sits at No. 18 in the all-important NET rankings.

However, a much more sour song would be sung if the hapless Huskies upset the Aggies this week.

"There's so many good lessons that will reoccur once we get into conference play," Williams said. "We have to utilize this time with great wisdom."

HCU ranks No. 357 out of 362 in the NET. The Huskies' only wins to boast are over NCCAA foes. Against NCAA opponents, HCU is losing by an average of 24.3 points while allowing 88.3 per game.

Against Houston's vaunted defense, A&M rallied from a 21-point second-half deficit to score 66 points.

Perhaps the Aggies should aim for an even higher offensive output on Friday.

Still the focus will be on all phases.

"We do several things well, and we do a few things great," Williams said. "We also have a couple of things that are not to the level they need to be in order to have the success that we want."

For the offense to take another step, Wade Taylor IV could enjoy another not-so-silent night.

The reigning SEC Player of the Week scored a game-high 34 points vs. Houston and is averaging 18.6 on the season.

Taylor will also have plenty of weapons to utilize as some Aggie stat-padding might precede the stocking stuffing.

Henry Coleman III is nearly averaging a double-double with 12.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Tyrece Radford is providing 12.3 points per game but has missed four of A&M's last five matchups.

"We've to figure out how to be more consistent, if that's possible," Williams said. "We won't be perfect, but maybe from start to finish, we can find some consistency."

With HCU poised to serve as a Christmas cupcake, the Aggies look to heat back up by getting the offense to hum.

Of course, the Maroon & White would love to include a joyous War Hymn among the caroling this week.