Minnesota and Texas A&M are off to different starts to the season as the two teams meet up in the TCL Vancouver Showcase.
TV Schedule: Sunday, Nov. 19, 10:30 p.m. ET ESPN2
Arena: Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, BC
Minnesota will be seeing its second power-conference team to open up the season. The first game was a 100-point performance against Omaha. The defense gave up 76 to the Mavericks, but they had no issue putting up points on the scoreboard. The second one came against Utah. The Utes lost a few important guys from a top-five finish in the Pac-12 from a year ago, but Larry Krystkowiak always has his team ready to play.
The Texas A&M Aggies are not the same team that made the sweet 16 last season. They lost four out of their top-five scorers and Admon GIlder has yet to play. The Aggies edged out a shootout win over Savannah State in the opener. They then lost by one at home against UC Irvine. The Anteaters are projected to win the Big West, but I’m sure Texas A&M was viewing it as a buy game. They traveled out to Spokane on Thursday and got smacked by Gonzaga.
Both teams are in for different seasons. Minnesota is hoping to do some major improvement after failing all expectations last season. Most of that had to do with suspensions and injuries though. Texas A&M had a lot of pro talent on their team and they all left. Leaving the Aggies in a rebuilding year.
The defense has struggled a ton for the Aggies early. Giving up over 90 to Gonzaga isn’t bad. A lot of teams are going to struggle to keep them under 90 this year. But allowing Savannah State to score 83 isn’t good.
Texas A&M did play a good first half over the Bulldogs. The 43-33 halftime lead was a lot closer than it seemed. The young guys for the Aggies are scrappy and wouldn’t quit. The combination of Savion Flagg and TJ Starks are going to keep Texas A&M competitive in the SEC this year. The scoring in the backcourt isn’t a problem, but it’s the scoring around the hoop that isn’t quite there yet.
Josh Nebo is a guy to remember in the frontcourt of Texas A&M. He’s a junior shot-blocking machine. He did put up 15 points in 21 minutes against UC-Irvine. But outside of the top two guards, the Aggies haven’t seen a consistent third scorer.
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Minnesota is also missing a guy due to an injury. Sophomore Eric Curry has been plagued by injury since his freshman year. He missed all last year and yet to take the court this season. But they have managed. The win over Utah does a lot to the confidence of a Golden Gophers team that is trying to get back into Tournament discussion.
Amir Coffey has been given the keys to the offense as a junior. He’s the Gophers’ point guard and leading scorer so far. He and Dupree McBrayer make a great one-two punch in the backcourt. McBrayer has been one of the most consistent shooting guards in the Big Ten since coming to Minnesota. He certainly doesn’t receive the recognition he deserves.
Minnesota has been seeing great production out of its freshmen. With Curry hurt and the option to bring Isaiah Washington off the bench, Gabe Kalschuer and Daniel Oturu are in the starting lineup. Kalschuer leads Minnesota in three-point shooting with seven and Oturu has been averaging 13.5 points along with 5.5 boards. It’s hard for him to get over that number when he’s playing next to a vulture.
Obviously, Jordan Murphy is still a monster in the frontcourt. The scoring isn’t up over 15 yet, but he’s hauling in a ton of boards. He leads the team with 27 total rebounds as Oturu comes in second with 11. The big power forward has more rebounds than points, but that certainly not a bad thing as he’s continuing to shoot over 60 percent.
The advantage that Texas A&M is hoping to have is that they are more balanced on the glass. They have five guys with 10 or more boards this year so far. They are also very active on the offensive glass as Christian Mekowulu is averaging an impressive five per game.
Texas A&M won’t go away easily. They will stick with Minnesota the entire game. There could be a few lead changes even as late as halfway through the second half. But the Golden Gophers experience and drive to be a better team this season might be what they need to edge out the SEC opponent.
Prediction: Minnesota 82, Texas A&M 75