The Kentucky Wildcats have started 2-0 in conference play and with four of the top five teams losing this week, could make the jump into the top five of the AP Poll in January for just the second time since 2017. Standing in their way will be a motivated Texas A&M team in College Station on Saturday, who has started 0-2 in SEC play.
The Aggies debuted in the AP poll this preseason at No. 15, one spot ahead of Kentucky, but with a 9-6 record, they have fallen out of the others receiving votes category. Things seem to be trending in the wrong direction, as they have lost four of their last six games, with their two wins coming against sub-300 KenPom teams.
That said, four of A&M’s six losses have come against ranked teams by an average of seven points. The Aggies certainly have the talent to challenge Kentucky and a sold-out College Station crowd will give them an advantage.
Let’s take a look at the matchup.
Rebound, Limit Second Chance
Playing the best rebounding team in the country last Saturday, the Wildcats will play another top 10 rebounding team in Texas A&M. The Aggies average just under 43 rebounds per game, ranking 8th nationally, but where they really excel is offensive rebounding.
Just how good? Well, A&M ranks first nationally in offensive rebounds per game (18.3 RPG) and offensive rebounding percentage (44.6%). For reference, Kentucky who was a top-three offensive rebounding team in the country the last two seasons with Oscar Tshiebwe, averaged just over 12 offensive rebounds per game and a 37.7 offensive rebounding percentage.
One reason A&M attacks the offensive rebounds hard, is they don’t shoot very well, at all. In fact, they are the second-worst shooting Power 5 team behind Rutgers, shooting just over 40%. That said, the two biggest threats on the glass will be their big men Henry Coleman and Andersson Garcia, who combine to average more than 17 rebounds per game, including 8 offensive. Fortunately, Kentucky’s guards have rebounded fairly well much of the season, but the bigs have to show more effort.
Wade Taylor
A&M is led by preseason SEC Player of the Year, Wade Taylor IV, who leads the team in scoring, assists, and steals. A dynamic playmaker, creating for himself and his teammates, he is the motor of the team. As a result, Taylor has a usage rate of 31.7, ranking top 25 nationally.
Taylor is 4th in the SEC in scoring, averaging 17.3 points, but on a very inefficient 42.8 effective field goal percentage. That said, he makes it a priority to get his teammates involved, averaging 4.0 assists per game.
That said, Taylor has a tendency to try to do too much if pressured, which can result in turnovers and bad shots. If Kentucky’s backcourt can pressure Taylor into mistakes, they can limit A&M’s offense and push the slow pace A&M will look to play with.
Hustle
Buzz Williams has always been a tough and gritty coach and he has instilled that in his Texas A&M teams. As we have seen this week with four of the AP top 5 falling on the road, winning conference road games is tough. The team that wants it more, dives on the floor for loose balls, flies around on defense, and reduces second-chance points could be the one that wins this game.
Opposing Players to Watch
G Wade Taylor IV, 6-0, 175 lbs
- 17.3 PPG (4th in SEC)
- 4.0 APG (7th in SEC)
- 2.4 SPG (2nd in SEC)
F Henry Coleman III, 6-8, 245 lbs
- 12.5 PPG
- 8.4 RPG (3rd in SEC)
- 61.3% FG (2nd in SEC)
G Tyrece Radford, 6-3, 190 lbs
- Time: 2 pm ET
- Date: January 13th, 2024
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Announcers: Dan Shulman and Jay Bilas will be calling the action.
- Location: Bryan-College Station in College Station, Texas.
- Online Stream: Stream the game online with WatchESPN and the ESPN app.
- Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the UK radio call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
- Replay: WatchESPN and the SEC Network (check local listings).
- Rosters: UK | A&M
- Stats to Know: UK | A&M
- KenPom: UK | A&M
- Team Sheets: UK | A&M
- Odds: ESPN’s matchup predictor has the Wildcats as an underdog, giving them just a 34.6 percent shot to win. Bart Torvik gives Kentucky a 50-50 shot at the victory, while EvanMiya gives Kentucky a 54.9 advantage.
- Predictions: EvanMiya has the Cats winning in a close one, 77-76. Bart Torvik and Haslametrics have Kentucky losing in a close game, 79-78 and 80-79 respectively. DRatings has the Cats winning 85-74.
Also published on A Sea of Blue.
Related