I'm so happy that the NBA is back this week. I've missed watching Stephen Curry hit shots from 28 feet like its nothing. I've missed watching Lebron attack the rim like a runaway train. I can't wait to watch evil Kevin Durant and angry Russell Westbrook and James Harden and Karl-Anthony Towns and Isaiah Thomas. Watching elite teams play is beautiful because it is almost flawless basketball. However, I'm more excited for college basketball to tip off on November 11th. College basketball is perfect because it is so flawed. Coaches misuse timeouts or can't figure out ideal lineups. Most players have a glaring weakness or two in their games. These fundamental problems have led to the things that make college hoops so great. There are so many different strategies and systems that almost every team is unique. There isn't really an NBA equivalent of Syracuse's suffocating zone defense or Shaka Smart's chaotic and brutally effective full court press. Student sections are another matter entirely, but the Cameron Crazies blow even the most passionate NBA crowds out of the water.
Since there are only 17 days until tipoff, let's take a look at the Aggies and try to predict how they will fare this season.
What happened last year?
Led by seniors Alex Caruso, Danuel House, Jalen Jones, and freshman Tyler Davis, the Aggies finished the season 28-9, and 13-5 in conference play to claim a share of the regular season SEC championship. Coach Billy Kennedy's squad then beat Florida and LSU to make the championship game of the SEC Tournament but was defeated by the Kentucky Wildcats. On the way to the Sweet 16, the Aggies easily handled Green Bay before needing the largest last minute comeback in NCAA history to get past Northern Iowa. A&M's luck ran out against Oklahoma however, as Buddy Hield and the Sooners won 77-63.
Who left?
Texas A&M must replace four talented starters and a highly touted freshman. House, Jones, and Caruso were 3 of the Aggies' top 4 scorers, and Anthony Colins provided a calm, experienced hand to bring the ball down the court and initiate the offense.
Alex Caruso - Sr. - PG/SG - Graduated
Danuel House - Rs.Sr. - SF - Graduated
Jalen Jones - Rs.Sr. - PF - Graduated
Anthony Colins - Rs.Sr. - PG - Graduated
Elijah Thomas - Fr. - PF/C - Transferred to Clemson
Who returns?
Luckily for the Aggie faithful, Texas A&M returns a strong core of young players, some of whom are already established at upper-tier SEC players, while others are poised to have break out seasons. This year's team will be led by sophomores Tyler Davis and D.J. Hogg, both of whom made the Freshman All-SEC Team last season. Sophomore do-it-all guard Admon Gilder played well down the stretch last year and he will most likely take over the point guard position. Junior center Tony Trocha-Morellos can stretch the floor and provide a shot blocking presence, while senior power forward Tavario Miller provides effort, defense and rebounding off the bench.
Tavario Miller - Sr. - PF
Tony Trocha-Morellos - Jr - C/PF
Tyler Davis - So. - C
Frank Byers - So. - PG/SG
Kyle Nugent - So. - PG/SG
Chris Collins - So. - PG/SG
Admon Gilder - So. - PG/SG
D.J. Hogg - So. - SF/PF
Kobie Eubanks - So. - SG
Who is new?
Texas A&M pulled in a top 20 recruiting class in 2016, and junior guard J.C. Hampton transferred in from Lipscomb while sophomore guard Chase Carlton transferred in from Ranger Junior College. Unfortunately for Billy Kennedy, point guard J.J. Caldwell and small forward Deshawn Corprew were ruled ineligible for the season. Caldwell was expected to man the lead guard spot and allow Admon Gilder to play off the ball, while Corprew was supposed to provide valuable depth behind D.J. Hogg. Power forward Robert Williams is extremely athletic and is an elite shot blocker, while Spanish power forward Eric Villa is a proficient three-point shooter.
J.C. Hampton - Jr. - SG/PG - Transferred from Lipscomb
Chase Carlton - So. - PG - Transferred from Ranger J.C.
J.J. Caldwell - 4 star - PG
Deshawn Corprew - 4 star - SF
Robert Williams - 3 star - PF/C
Eric Villa - NR - PF/SF
Projected Starters
PG - Admon Gilder
Last year, Gilder played shooting guard and proved he could shoot threes, attack the basket, rebound, lead the fast break, and play solid defense on and off the ball. This year, he will be asked to learn the point guard position. Hopefully, he can limit turnovers and distribute the ball effectively while still remaining a threat to score.
SG - J.C. Hampton
Hampton proved to be a capable scorer for Lipscomb last season, averaging over 15 points per game. He is an excellent free-throw shooter and effective from the three-point line. Hampton will serve as a capable secondary ball-handler and his leadership will be an X-factor for this young A&M team.
SF - D.J. Hogg
D.J. Hogg is A&M's biggest draft prospect because he is an ideal fit for modern NBA basketball. He is tall (6'8), can guard multiple positions, and can spread the floor. Hogg flashed tantalizing glimpses of his offenses potential last year. While his three-point percentage was low, he has a beautiful shooting motion, and he developed a post game as last season wore on. Hogg should be the team's second option on offense since he can score from anywhere on the court. Now Danuel House has moved on to the NBA, Billy Kennedy can give Hogg the minutes he needs comfortable at the wing position.
PF - Tony Trocha-Morellos
Last season, Tony Trocha-Morellos split minutes with Jalen Jones, and many times he seemed to have trouble getting into the flow of games. With Jones gone, Trocha-Morellos will see expanded minutes which should him get more comfortable. On offense, Trocha-Morellos struggles to score in the paint against physical defenses, but he has a reliable mid-range and three-point shot. Trocha-Morellos running pick and pops with Gilder should give defenses headaches. His ability to spread the floor this will also prove invaluable when defenses focus on stopping Tyler Davis. On defense, Trocha-Morellos is an above average shot blocker and tries hard when he is switched onto a perimeter player.
C - Tyler Davis
Davis is hands down the Aggies' best player, and the offense will run through him this year. The sophomore big man is a monster in the paint, where he displays a variety of post moves. He can score from either block with either hand. Davis said that this offseason, he has worked to improve his midrange game. If he can develop a consistent jumper from the elbows, Davis will be nearly unstoppable.
Role Players
Robert Williams - PF/C
The freshman should get playing time immediately coming off the bench to back up either starting big man. Williams' athletic ability makes him a shot blocking nightmare and effective finishing a fast break above the rim. Other than that, Williams may be a work in progress, but his potential is clear.
Eric Villa - SF/PF
The big Spaniard will immediately serve as a three-point specialist off the bench. He will back up D.J. Hogg at first, and if he proves he can handle the physicality of American basketball, he could play some power forward for Trocha-Morellos.
Tavario Miller - PF
We've seen Miller at A&M for several years now, and he hasn't changed much. He hustles all over the floor, which enables him to grab rebounds and play solid defense. This offseason he worked on his interior offensive game, and flashed a few nice post moves in the Maroon and White scrimmage. Any improvement from Miller on offense would be a pleasant surprise because he has been a major liability on that side of the ball.
Kobie Eubanks - SG
A talented freshman that joined the team late last season, Eubanks has battled a series of injuries that caused him to miss offseason workouts and have put the sophomore a little behind in his development. If he can flash the scoring ability he showed in high school, look for Eubanks to push J.C. Hampton for the starting guard spot opposite Gilder.
Chase Carlton - PG
Carlton was offered a preferred walk-on spot by Billy Kennedy and the Ranger Junior College guard quickly accepted. Carlton led the team in assists during the Maroon and White scrimmage and figures to factor into the point guard rotation. He plays with a lot of energy, and seems destined to become a fan favorite.
