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Bracketology 2024: Gonzaga, Kentucky, and Purdue among teams with big games

By Jason Burgess

Nov 13, 2023; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kylan Boswell (4) leads forward Filip Borovicanin (1), forward Keshad Johnson (16), guard Caleb Love (2) and center Oumar Ballo (11) back to the bench during a timeout during the first half against the Southern University Jaguars at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2023; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kylan Boswell (4) leads forward Filip Borovicanin (1), forward Keshad Johnson (16), guard Caleb Love (2) and center Oumar Ballo (11) back to the bench during a timeout during the first half against the Southern University Jaguars at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports /
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Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas A&M (7-3) vs. No. 4 Houston (10-0), Saturday, Dec. 16

After a 5-0 start, Buzz Williams’ Texas A&M Aggies have struggled of late going just 2-3 on their last five games, including a list to Memphis on Sunday, a game in which it felt like the Aggies (7-3) were never in striking distance. They have a chance to rebound in a big way when they take on No. 4 Houston on Saturday.

This is also a big one for Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars as they are looking to further tighten their grip on a potential No. 1 seed. The 10-0 Cougars are once again one of the best defensive teams in the country allowing just 49.7 points per game and holding eight of their opponents under 60 so far this season.

The Cougars are the No. 2 team in the NET and No. 1 on KenPom and the No. 1 team in all other metrics, except Strength of Record. Their non-conference slate hasn’t been that challenging with this game against Texas A&M being the highest ranking NET team they have faced. A win on Saturday and the Cougars will likely find themselves unblemished heading into 2024. The Aggies are 7-3 and have played one of the toughest schedules in the country, with 60% of their games being in the first two quads with a 3-3 record in those games after the loss to Memphis.

The Aggies hold a neutral-site win over Iowa State and road wins over Ohio State and SMU, but a chance to get a win over a team like Houston would give an SEC favorite and the No. 8 team in offensive efficiency and the second-best offensive rebounding team in the country quite the boost heading into league play.

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