No. 17 Texas A&M made an announcement with its gritty win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse over No. 11 Purdue: When it performs protection the best way it did on Saturday, it might beat anybody within the nation.
The Aggies improved to 9-2 with their 70-66 semi-away recreation at Purdue.
Purdue College is barely over an hour drive from Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Texas A&M’s win was its third over a ranked opponent. It additionally beat Ohio State and Creighton earlier this season when each had been ranked No. 21.
The Boilermakers entered Saturday seventh within the nation in three-point capturing (40.8%).
Texas A&M held Purdue to a 9-of-26 (34.6%) mark from past the arc whereas additionally forcing 16 turnovers.
After the sport, guard Wade Taylor IV, who completed with 15 factors, 5 assists and 5 steals, mentioned how Texas A&M received in a tricky street surroundings in an on-court interview with CBS faculty basketball insider Jon Rothstein.
“It simply speaks to our togetherness,” Taylor stated. “Coach all the time tells us we’re one of many oldest groups within the nation, so I believe that confirmed at this time.”
Per KenPom, the Aggies common 3.01 years of expertise, the ninth most within the nation. Texas A&M additionally retained most of its roster that went 21-15 and pushed 1-seed Houston to additional time within the second spherical of the 2024 NCAA Match, a 100-95 loss. KenPom lists its minutes continuity (70.6%) because the fourth-highest within the nation.
The Aggies rank eighth in defensive ranking (94.1), and their robust effort in opposition to Purdue reveals why they could be a drive within the SEC, college basketball’s best conference.
Texas A&M was picked to finish fifth within the convention within the preseason by SEC media members and is the sixth-highest-ranked SEC group in KenPom scores, trailing Auburn (No. 1 total), Tennessee (No. 2), Alabama (No. 7), Florida (No. 8) and Kentucky (No. 10).
Texas A&M performs two extra video games — doubtless wins in opposition to Houston Christian and Abilene Christian — earlier than starting convention play on Jan. 4 in opposition to Texas.
