Texas A&M Aggies
Big 12 (22-10, 11-7)
As a reigning champion, the Texas A&M women’s basketball team has without question gotten every team’s best shot during the 2011-12 season. They navigated some bumps in the road but still found a way to remain safely in the Top 20, and finished strong in their final season as a member of the Big 12 as the Aggies are moving on to the SEC conference starting with the 2012-13 season.
Big Wins: 11/15 vs. Louisville (76-58), 1/8 vs. Oklahoma (75-58), 2/8 vs Kansas State (67-36)
Bad Losses: 1/11 vs. Texas (76-71), 1/24 at Oklahoma State (53-57), 3/04 at Texas (64-79)
Coach: Gary Blair (9 seasons at Texas A&M)
Why They Can Surprise:
They say that knocking out the reigning champion is the hardest task to accomplish in sports. The tough-minded Texas A&M program was no different in 2011-12. The Aggies will be able to come in and play with nothing to lose in the tournament as the media pundits will not be expecting as much since they won’t be a number one or two seed in their assigned region. Backcourt play will have the ability to carry Texas A&M with the senior leadership of Tyra White and Sydney Carter, who have averaged double figure scoring in 2011-12. White averages 13.5 ppg and Carter 11.2 ppg. Kelsey Bone has filled Danielle Adams’ shoes in the post with nice offensive numbers at 12.3 points per game and has controlled the glass with 6.8 rebounds per contest.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Depth could be an issue if foul trouble comes into play for the Aggies. White and Carter average around 34 minutes per games along with Bone at 24 and senior forward Adaora Elonu at 28 minutes a game. The inconsistency on the offensive end of the floor at times displayed in losses on the road at Oklahoma and at Oklahoma State and a narrow win at Missouri could be an issue. Defending the three point shot has been a bit of a challenge for Texas A&M as well as they are allowing opponents to shoot 36 percent from behind the arc.
Probable Starters:
Tyra White, Senior, Guard, 13.5 ppg, 1.9 apg, 5.6 rpg
Sydney Carter, Senior, Guard, 11.2 ppg, 3.0 apg, 1.8 spg
Alexia Standish, Freshman, Guard, 5.2 ppg, 2.0 apg
Adaora Elonu, Senior, Forward, 11.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg
Kelsey Bone, Junior, Center, 12.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Skylar Collins, Senior, Guard, 2.9 ppg
Adrienne Pratcher, Junior, Guard, 4.7 ppg, 3.0 apg
Karla Gilbert, Sophomore, Center, 5.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg
Kelsey Assarian, Senior, Forward, 1.2 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 67.8 (72nd in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 58.4 (96, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 42.1 (51, 4)
Field-Goal Defense: 39.8 (222, 7)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 2.8 (318, 10)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: na
Free-Throw Percentage: 65.2 (265, 10)
Rebound Margin: 5.0 (41, 4)
Assists Per Game: 14.9 (41, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 15.1 (50, 4)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
Texas A&M 2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over McNeese State
Texas A&M 2011 NCAA Round of 32 Win over Rutgers
Texas A&M 2011 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Georgia
Texas A&M 2011 NCAA Regional Final win over Baylor
Texas A&M 2011 NCAA National Semifinal win over Stanford
Texas A&M 2011 NCAA National Final win over Notre Dame
Texas A&M 2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over Portland State
Texas A&M 2010 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Gonzaga
Texas A&M 2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over Evansville
Texas A&M 2009 NCAA Round of 32 win over Minnesota
Texas A&M 2009 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Arizona State
Texas A&M 2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Texas-San Antonio
Texas A&M 2008 NCAA Round of 32 win over Hartford
Texas A&M 2008 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Duke
Texas A&M 2008 NCAA Regional Final loss to Tennessee
Texas A&M 2007 NCAA Round of 64 win over Texas-Arlington
Texas A&M 2007 NCAA Round of 32 loss to George Washington
*all team stats through 3/1
