Texas A&M cements itself as SEC favorite by defeating LSU
The favorite to win the SEC this season is neither perennial juggernaut Kentucky nor an LSU team headlined by the nation’s best freshman.
Those two oft-discussed programs aren’t playing at nearly as high a level as under-the-radar Texas A&M.
One day after cracking the top 10 in the AP poll for the first time since 2009, Texas A&M gave a performance worthy of its lofty ranking. Jalen Jones scored 20 points and Tyler Davis tied a season-high with 18 as the Aggies extended their winning streak to nine with a 71-57 victory over LSU.
Texas A&M’s win improved its record to 16-2 overall and 6-0 in the SEC, two or more games clear of every team in the league besides second-place South Carolina. The Aggies boast nine victories against KenPom top 100 teams including quality wins over Baylor, Gonzaga, Texas and Florida.
Why is Texas A&M enjoying more success this season than any other under Billy Kennedy? The main reason is that Kennedy has done an exceptional job meshing a nucleus of established returners with a star-studded recruiting class.
The Aggies are a complete team with a top 25 offense and defense, senior leadership and depth everywhere on the floor. They share the ball, they work hard on the glass and defensively and they don’t seem to mind that they don’t get the attention other top 10 teams do.
Jones is a long, athletic 6-foot-7 forward with a relentless motor and a rapidly improving outside shot. Top perimeter threat Danuel House is an athletic slasher with the speed and strength to get to the basket and finish through contact. Alex Caruso and Anthony Collins are both pass-first point guards and quick-handed defenders, Davis is a promising freshman big man capable of controlling the paint and forward D.J. Hogg and guard Admon Gilder both are highly touted freshmen as well.
Texas A&M shot unusually poorly from the perimeter against LSU, but everything else the Aggies do well was on display Tuesday night. They dominated the paint, they forced 19 LSU turnovers and they limited Ben Simmons to a modest 10 points by limiting his transition opportunities and daring him to shoot jumpers in the half court.
Remarkably, Texas A&M only has three remaining games against Top 25 teams — home games against Iowa State, South Carolina and Kentucky.
The Aggies may not get the attention other top teams do, but they’re well positioned to win the SEC title.
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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
