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The Texas A&M Aggies (14-1, 1-0) v. The Texas Tech Red Raiders (9-6, 0-1)
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 @ 8:30 p.m.
ESPN2
The Numbers:
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Keys to the Game:
- Figure Out How To Score: If I'm afraid of one thing, it's the Aggie defense. I know that the Red Raiders have had some luck against our friends from College Station-way, but the Aggie defense is currently sitting at #15 in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency. If Texas Tech doesn't settle down and figure out how to get at least three guys involved in the offense at any one time then it could be a very long game. This has got to work efficiently for this to work at all. The big men will need to do their jobs and screen to get these guys good shots and your Roberson, Voskuil, Zeno, Singletary, etc. will need to work extra hard to get open and look to create as well. Don't wait for the perfect shot.
- Rebound Like Your Life Depends On It: An overstatement? Perhaps. But in order to limit the Aggies and what they do on the offensive end then the Red Raiders have to block out and grab every possible defensive rebound. Oh yeah, the Aggies are #9 in adjusted offensive efficiency, which means that they are ridiculously good on consistently scoring on offense.
- Have Fun: Last but not least, right? I don't know how much I can stress to these guys that you've got to have fun doing what you do, otherwise it's just not worth it. Slow down, let the game come to you and remember that it's just a game. Don't let the home crowd overwhelm, but playing with passion can, at times, overcome lack of talent in spurts. This is the first big home game for a bunch of these guys. Let the crowd carry you a bit.
Probable Starting Lineups:
| Texas Tech | Ht. | Wt. | Pos. | Yr. | PPG | RPG | APG |
| John Roberson | 5-11 | 165 | G | Fr. | 12.0 | 2.4 | 3.1 |
| Alan Voskuil | 6-3 | 175 | G | Jr. | 12.7 | 3.8 | 1.7 |
| Martin Zeno | 6-5 | 208 | G/F | Sr. | 16.1 | 4.9 | 3.1 |
| Damir Suljagic | 6-8 | 245 | F | Jr. | 2.8 | 3.2 | 0.9 |
| Esmir Rizvic | 7-0 | 252 | C | Sr. | 3.8 | 2.5 | 1.0 |
| TAMU | Ht. | Wt. | Pos. | Yr. | PPG | RPG | APG |
| Dominique Kirk | 6-3 | 185 | G | Sr. | 7.9 | 3.4 | 4.3 |
| Josh Carter | 6-7 | 195 | G/F | Jr. | 13.6 | 3.9 | 2.1 |
| Donald Sloan | 6-2 | 210 | G | So. | 9.0 | 3.8 | 2.9 |
| DeAndre Jordan | 7-0 | 240 | C | Fr. | 10.5 | 7.2 | 0.3 |
| Joseph Jones | 6-9 | 250 | F/C | Sr. | 11.3 | 5.0 | 1.4 |
This is your open game day thread so feel free to sign up for a free account and leave all predictions, comments and thoughts about the game here.
GO RAIDERS . . .
*Stats can be found Ken Pomeroy, via Basketball Prospectus: K.P. Rank = the Ken Pomeroy Rank; Offensive Efficiency = the national rank in terms of points scored per 100 possessions; Defensive Efficiency = the national rank in terms of points allowed per 100 possession. Numbers in parentheses are national rank.