Texas A&M (23-9)
COACH: Mark Turgeon, three years at Texas A&M, three in NCAA tournament.
HOW THEY GOT IN: At-large bid
MATCHUP BREAKDOWN: Texas A&M won nine of its last 12 games and it turned it up late in the season when the defense started to click. Guard Donald Sloan sets the tempo on both ends of the floor and the Aggies are a seasoned team that won't be rattled by the Aggies' grinding pace. Utah State's Pooh Williams has the defensive acumen to rattle Sloan. The Aggies' offense is far from potent, but it is disciplined and balanced. The Aggies don't mind saying they are a collection of role players more than an alpha dog and his pack. But Texas A&M can take advantage of the Aggies' average team speed by forcing the pace after missed shots.
GO-TO GUYS: Donald Sloan still doesn't get all the notoriety he deserves, but the senior guard was instrumental regrouping the Aggies following the loss of another inspirational senior, Derrick Roland. Sloan led A&M throughout conference play and will enter the tournament with 16 consecutive games in which he netted double figures. He is clearly the Aggies' top offensive threat, though B.J. Holmes is also capable of hurting opponents from behind the arc.
THEY'LL KEEP WINNING IF: They defend at a high level. Turgeon, who previously revitalized Wichita State's program before replacing Billy Gillispie at A&M, demands toughness. The Aggies bought in shortly after Turgeon's arrival and this season led the Big 12 during conference play with a 65.8-point defensive average. Without a consistent scorer other than Sloan, A&M must maintain intensity on the defensive end.
STRENGTHS: Another senior, C Bryan Davis, provides a rugged edge underneath that inspires younger teammates to attack the glass and play defense in the same manner. For A&M to defend at such a high level is impressive considering Roland, who was lost with a gruesome compound leg fracture he suffered in a Dec. 22 loss at Washington, was perhaps the best on-ball defender in the Big 12. Sloan often delivers in the clutch offensively. Freshmen Khris Middleton, Naji Hibbert and Ray Turner have developed nicely.
WEAKNESSES: Starting PG Dash Harris is hampered by an injury to his right wrist, which could require Sloan and Holmes to log extended minutes and also add to their responsibilities. One of the Aggies' problems is they are not altogether fluid on the offensive end. Patience working the shot clock is important, though if Sloan has an off night, A&M can struggle. While it's admirable the Aggies get it done as a blue-collar team, the lack of pure talent could be exposed in the NCAA tournament.
