Texas A&M Aggies
Overall Rank: #18
Conference Rank: #5 SEC
Coach Gary Blair has led Texas A&M to 14 straight NCAA Tournaments. Last season would have been number 15, but they will have to wait until this March to reach that milestone. Chennedy Carter and her 21.3 points per game may be gone, but this is an Aggies team that could be even more talented in 2020-2021 than they were last year. And that could lead to their first SEC title since 2007.
2019-20 Record: 22-8, 10-6
Coach: Gary Blair
Coach Record: 379-155 at Texas A&M, 787-318 overall
Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
Chennedy Carter, Guard, 21.3 ppg
Shambria Washington, Guard, 5.5 ppg
Jasmine Williams, Guard, 2.4 ppg
Cheah Rael-Whitsitt, Forward, 1.5 ppg
Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Kayla Wells, Senior, Guard, 13.1 ppg
Ciera Johnson, Senior, Center, 12.1 ppg
N’Dea Jones, Senior, Forward, 11.0 ppg
Aaliyah Wilson, Senior, Guard, 6.5 ppg
Anna Dreimane, Senior, Center, 1.0 ppg
McKinzie Green, Sophomore, Guard, 0.9 ppg
Key New Players
Kay Kay Green, Freshman, Guard
Zaay Green, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Tennessee, pending waiver
Maliyah Johnson, Freshman, Forward
Sahara Jones, Freshman, Guard
Alexis Morris, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Rutgers, pending waiver
Jordan Nixon, Sophomore, Guard, Transfer from Notre Dame
Kenyal Perry, Freshman, Center
Destiny Pitts, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Minnesota
Ella Tofaeono, Junior, Center, JC Transfer
Projection:
Kayla Wells, Ciera Johnson and N’Dea Jones are all seniors who averaged double digits in the scoring department last season. Wells was the team’s most consistent and prolific three-point shooter, connecting on 41.5 percent of her 106 attempts. Johnson and Jones are the frontcourt duo that helped the Aggies rank in the top 25 in the country in rebounding margin. Aaliyah Wilson was a part-time starter during her junior campaign and will look to take over a full-time starting job this year. But there will be competition. Coach Blair has brought in five transfers who could all make an impact. Destiny Pitts will make a huge impact from day one. The transfer from Minnesota averaged 16.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists playing in 15 games with the Gophers last season. Jordan Nixon comes from Notre Dame and will help run the point. The immediate eligibility of Pitts is huge for the Aggies, but they are still awaiting the eligibility status of Zaay Green and Alexis Morris. The Aggies could use a little more experienced depth on the perimeter, so even getting one of them eligible could be the boost Texas A&M needs to compete for an SEC title and a trip to the Final Four.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 69.7 (76th in nation, 7th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 58.4 (49, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.1 (33, 4)
Field-Goal Defense: 38.0 (84, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 3.7 (329, 12)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.4 (55, 4)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.0 (164, 7)
Rebound Margin: 7.7 (24, 3)
Assists Per Game: 15.3 (46, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.3 (36, 4)
Madness 2020 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#63 Maliyah Johnsom
#71 Kayla Green
#101 Sahara Jones
