NCAA Basketball: 2019 Big 12/SEC Challenge preview

Kansas State Wildcats at Texas A&M Aggies

The Kansas State Wildcats have had the Texas A&M Aggies number, even outside of the Big 12/SEC Challenge. The Wildcats hold an 18-8 advantage over the Aggies, although Texas A&M won the last meeting 78-68 on Dec. 12, 2015.

Kansas State returns their top eight scorers from 2017-18, led by 6-foot-8 forward Dean Wade. Wade averaged 16.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 steals per contest in 33 appearances. He missed final five games, including postseason play due to a foot injury.

The Aggies will have to replace four players, including big man Robert Williams and D.J., Hogg. Their 2018 recruiting class consists of two JUCO prospects while big man Josh Nebo looks to seize his opportunity after sitting out the 2017-18 season.

Kansas State has won three of the last five meetings with the Aggies holding a 1-3 record overall in their challenge history. The teams both have different looks but the same head coaches at the helm in Bruce Weber (Kansas State) and Andy Kennedy (Texas A&M). Both teams made deep runs in the NCAA Tournament last season so don’t expect much less from either team in 2018-19.