Mark Turgeon has no reason not to expect better things to come after two years of directing the Texas A&M men's basketball program.
He just doesn't want his team or its fans to think it's going to happen because that's the way it's supposed to be.
For the fourth straight season, the Aggies won at least 22 games (24-10) and at least one NCAA Tournament game.
"I thought our body of work was really good. We were pretty consistent this year as far as playing well in most games," Turgeon said of his second team at Texas A&M. "I'm really proud of the fact that a lot of new guys stepped into new roles and did a great job with it, and yeah, to make the NCAA Tournament and win a game I think again is real positive for our program."
On Monday night, the team and a small percentage of its fans celebrated the accomplishments during the annual awards banquet at the Cox-McFerrin Center for Aggie Basketball.
Having lost two of the programs most decorated players -- Joseph Jones and Dominique Kirk -- after the 2007-08 season, Turgeon knew a lot had to transpire if the Aggies were to build on where A&M basketball had come from since its trip to the 2005 NIT.
"There were guys like Chinemelu [Elonu] who really didn't play a lot [the season before] but had to become a starter. B.J. [Holmes] and Nate [Walkup] really hadn't played a lot and had to play a lot of minutes," Turgeon said last week. "The two freshmen [David Loubeau and Dash Harris], guys like that, I think they really blended in well and did a great job with their new roles and allowed us to be a good basketball team."
The Aggies finished 9-7 in the Big 12 (tied for fourth), including a regular-season ending victory over Missouri, which made the Elite 8.
"I think everybody, unfortunately, judges you on if you make the NCAA Tournament or if you advance; that's what college basketball has turned into today," Turgeon said. "I want to become a better league team. All my teams, if you look back through the years except when I first take over a program, are very good in league."
The potential for the Aggies taking that step appears to be there, with eight of the nine players that saw considerable minutes returning next season. Only Josh Carter, who finished his career having played in an A&M-record 98 wins, will not be back.
The 6-foot-7 Carter ended his career at A&M with a school-record 299 3-pointers (fourth most in the Big 12) and seventh all-time in scoring with 1,566 points. He is also the only Aggie to post at least 1,500 points, 500 rebounds (509) and 200 assists (240).
The Aggies went into the season knowing Carter, junior point guard Donald Sloan and junior forward Bryan Davis would be the mainstays of the team but soon found out there was more than the "Big 3."
Elonu quickly gained opponents' respect and at one time had three straight double-doubles. The junior was the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Most Improved Player in the Big 12. He finished second in the league in blocked shots at 1.6 a game.
Elonu, though, showed there is more room to improve as he disappeared at times as the season wound down.
"I thought he really helped us early, I'm not sure down the stretch. I think we have a long ways to go with him," Turgeon said. "He made strides in the right direction, but down the stretch a lot of these wins were with him sitting next to me in foul trouble or not playing so much."
The fifth starter, Derrick Roland, proved his worth on the defensive end, giving the Aggies a player on the Big 12 all-defensive team for the third straight season and fourth in five years.
Turgeon also liked what he got off the bench from sophomores Holmes and Walkup. Holmes was second on the team in 3-pointers with 59 and led the way by hitting 42 percent from behind the arc. The 6-7 Walkup hit the game-winning 3-pointer in a 67-66 victory over Arizona and proved invaluable on defense when teams went to smaller lineups.
"I thought B.J Holmes and Nate Walkup both made tremendous improvement from last year to this year, and even as the year went on Nate Walkup became a better player," Turgeon said. "You go through each guy as a staff after the season [and say], 'Well I thought we were going to get a little bit more out of him and I thought we were going to get a little bit more out of him,' where B.J. Holmes we got a little bit more out of than we thought."
Some of A&M's highlights on the season were a last-minute victory over Arizona after trailing the entire game, a come-from-behind overtime win at Alabama, a victory over SEC champion LSU in Houston, Carter's buzzer-beating 3 to beat Nebraska and a six-game win streak to end the regular season.
It wasn't all good, though, as the Aggies played poorly in the semifinals of the South Padre Invitational, lost at home to Kansas State, blew a 21-point lead in the Big 12 tournament against Texas Tech and started slowly in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against Connecticut.
A&M welcomed two freshmen that saw valuable minutes. Although each went through growing pains, the 6-9 Loubeau and 6-1 Harris had games and stretches that proved why Turgeon was so high on his first recruiting class at A&M.
"I thought for both being freshmen they had really good years, especially on an NCAA Tournament team that won lot of basketball games," Turgeon said. "If you asked them they probably expected a little more and I think we'll get a little bit more, hopefully a lot more out of them in the future. I think to be able to play as much as they did as freshmen is just going to lead to bigger and better things down the road."
With almost everyone back, it might appear as if next season should just be an extension of 2009. Turgeon begs to differ.
"This year is this year and next year is next year. I do think you'll see roles change. Some guys who were subs might become starters and guys that were starters might become subs," Turgeon said. "I expect the two freshmen's roles to change. I expect them to be much better players for us next year, year two is a lot easier than year one so their role will change if they work hard this summer."
A&M will also have a handful of new players next year to push the eight returnees who dominated the minutes played.
Khris Middleton is known for his shooting ability and is the perfect size for a wing at 6-7. Naji Hibbert is a shooting guard at 6-5 and Kourtney Roberson and Ray Turner are both power forwards that will help on the boards, which was a strength of the Aggies.
TEXAS A&M BASKETBALL AWARDS
David Edwards Assist Award -- Donald Sloan
Vernon Smith Rebound Award -- Chinemelu Elonu
Sonny Parker Most Improved Award -- B.J. Holmes and Chinemelu Elonu
Dr. John Thornton Academic Award -- Shawn Schepel
Dominique Kirk Best Defensive Award -- Derrick Roland
Dr. Shelby Metcalf Inspirational Award -- Bryson Graham
Acie Law IV Most Valuable Player Award -- Josh Carter
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Posted by: BEVO in Walton Hall On: 4/16/2009
Comment Title: Ok
Okay, lets throw out all the RPI, blue chip players and all the rest and talk about what really matters, national championships!!!.How many have you Ags had in the "modern era" in football, baseball, and basketball? I will even go down one level, how many have you even competed for? For that matter how many will you even compete for over the next few years? Yeah, that is what I thought! Now Texas on the other hand!!! Need I say more? Tell them I am right Miller58!!
Posted by: On: 4/16/2009
Comment Title: Bevo and Sniffy
You guys hand around another guy on this blog I'm sure. A&M over bevo in a rout, won more games than bevo and had a higher RPI. And Sniffy in Snook'ums, don't OD on the sausage again before you write, and you might be taken seriously.
Posted by: Sniffy from Snook ums On: 4/15/2009
Comment Title: a BOW on the season
Yeah, right. Looser Aggies
Posted by: BEVO in Walton Hall On: 4/15/2009
Comment Title: Successful Year?
Are you kidding me? You beat a bunch of tuna cans and BYU in the first round of the tournament, which Bryan High could have beat, and you state that it was a successful season? Well, I know it does not take much to please an Ag. Wait until next year and see if you feel the same.
Posted by: Flowbee58 On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: BigXII Sucks is Miller58's little sister (or mom)
Put down the Miller58 Kool-aid. While football is down, all other sports, men and women, are highly competitive. Check your facts. Go back to Miller58 land with that absurdity. Isn't it past your bedtime ?
Posted by: BigXII sucks!!! On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: Change our league
lets pack our bags and head out somewhere else where we can win. Big 12 is just too much for us. Forget the TU rivalry coz there is alot of catching up to do so lets just start all over
Posted by: CinterL On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: A&M Basketball is going great!!!
sorry miller but I don't think anyone is taking you seriously about Turgeon not being able to recruit. First and formost Look at LAST years freshman, as in fall of 08-spring 09, and you will see A&M got better recruits than tu!!! 2 four stars Dash harris and David Loubeau. while tu only had J'convan Brown as a four star, this from rival; and further more if you look at espnu 100 list, we had 2 players on that to tu's 0!!! Yes tu did beat us in this incoming recruiting class, but we still have a 4 star from rivals, and 3 espnu top 100 prospects in the COUNTRY. So if you think that getting 3 of the top 100 basketball player in the country is bad, you need to get your head checked. Also would like to add, Acie Law IV was rated a 3 star recruit from rivals and I think we all know how that turned out!!!
Posted by: Flowbee58 On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: Pinocchio58
Hey there "Honest Abe", maybe you can answer this now, have tu and ou won every Big 12 title this decade in football ? This should be a layup even for a pinocchio like you.
Posted by: On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title:
If we were only in the right league.
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: Re: hobo- BASKETBALL< TURGEON'S TERRIBLE RECRUITING IT IS!
My personal opinions:_____Turgeon has no 4*/5* commits for the current class, and only one 4* signed in the 2009 class!_____tu has 2 five star commits in the current class, and has signed 2 five star and 1 four star commit in the 2009 class!_____Their names are all listed in a post below for your convenience!_____miller58
Posted by: hobo On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: This is a basketball article Miller
See above. Our basketball team is solid and the future looks bright. I don't see how bob stoops is relevant
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: REMEMBER SHERMAN'S CRAPPY RECRUITING WHEN WE ARE SUFFERING BLOW OUT LOSES!
My personal opinions:_____Bob stoops and ou just announced the commit of Texas safety Quentin Hayes 6-1 175 4.4_____Hayes turned down offers from Mike Sherman to play in the 3-4 defense, among others!_____miller58
Posted by: Flowbee58 On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: Pusgut_Right on !!!!
Thank you sir. The football team is in a rough period now, so dips like trollbag58, who by the way is not an Aggie, have to find something to gripe about. When you challenge to put up or shut up, the silence is deafening. Name some names, you lying sack of BS... Silence
Posted by: Pusgut On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: 12manfoundation
I don't understand how you can be that fed up with our athletic and academic programs. Our athletics overall are enjoying more success than they EVER have and will continue to improve and our academics are excellent. Miller wants you to be confused; it's easier than being logical.
Posted by: Pusgut On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: Miller 58
Miller, I am calling BS on your email story and the "conspiracy". Why would anyone be dumb enough to send an email which can be saved and later incriminate them. And if they were in the business of spinning, why would they acknowledge what you say as truth. You can't go on any of the blog sites and not read someone ragging on our recruiting ability. The same ones are doing it as we speak - and not getting banned. You were banned because your comments are repetitive and 50% jibberish. It may shock you to think but you are the one who is actually doing the SPINNING! Pulling stats and histories and determining causation or extrapolating isolated factoids to indicate a trend. It's arrogant of you to think you can throw all this bs out there and expect us to eat it.
Posted by: Flowbee58 On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: Hobo
What a great post. I agree with you about finding some really solid players who will stay 3-4 years for foundation, and hopefully one of those years you catch lightning in a bottle. One and done players are rarity to win the NC. I'm thinking Carmelo Anthny as the last, but SU had a perfect storm of highr seed upsets and favorable draw.
Posted by: cowdunkcake On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: MR MILLER
I ALWAYS THOUGHT YOU WERE A DEMOCRAT. J/K N-E-WAys since you are a good observer, why is that TU rants on their team when they are not doing great? Look at Mc Coy last 2 years ago. They almost replace him. And what will it take to have our school compete with recruiting.
Posted by: 12thmanfound On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: RE: Mr Miller
Let go already! Talk to our Athletic Director. Have a social group and have our foundation realize. TU still sucks
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: RE: Big12 foundation
My personal opinions;_____ Big12foundation, I sincerely just want A&M to compete for the Big 12 every year in football and basketball, and the mnc and ncaa championship like only tu and ou have been doing the decade of the 2000's!_____Yes, we are truly a joke now, in the Big 12 and nationally._____Some Ag blogs ban just this honest truth._____Ask tv, radio and news reporters sometime, are there any threats to their very jobs and just see what they say._____I know because I personally received an email that said,"I know what you say is the truth but we'd rather you not say it", and was later banned for just posting the truth!_____Then after verifying the Aggie Spin Machine's "new emphasis on recruiting" by checking the 10 football coaches resumes, I was horrified, and posted a one line resume for each coach._____Nothing negative, a one line resume for each of the 10 coaches showing simply name, school, position coached, and all 10 coaches with no five star signee's and only 2 four star signees total in the previous five years._____No comments, just the honest facts, it was deleted in minuites; and I was banned from posting this truth for other Ags to read!_____And Ags are shocked that in our third and fourth signing classes, that we have no five star commits and only one four star recruit?_____I know it is a culture shock to find out, we are a big joke in the big 12 and nationally, but help by being loud and truthful; and decide what we should be doing to just win again?_____miller58
Posted by: Flowbee58 On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: 12manfound
Its OK. You just can't worry about anyone else, who has what, who has who, who has how many stars, etc., etc. That's a tough gig but not undoable. As far as basketball, take solace in this. 98 wins in four years, and one of only FOUR DI teams to win at least one tournament game every year in that time frame. Beats being 0-16. Not even the Flowbee Kid can spin that. Hang in there.
Posted by: hobo On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: Basketball recruiting is not like football
Recruiting too well in basketball can hinder a program. While national championship quality programs bring in a constant string of 5 star all americans, a very large percentage of them leave early. As our programs success is relatively new, we need to bring in guys who will commit to 4 years. This helps the stability of the program. Look what happened to tu with the arguably the best basketball player in the counrty a few years ago. They made it no farther in the big dance than we did this year. We should continue this success and hope that every few years we can bring in a big time recruit who will stay more than one year. The top notch recruits don't necessarily help a programs growth. In fact, Bobby Knight said he would never recruit a one-and-done type of player. This year was a success. And hopefully the players that Turge brings in can continue that success. We still haven't had much of an opportunity to see how he develops his type of players over the course of their stay at ATM. As of now we have only seem him develop a few of BCG's players.
Posted by: 12thmanfound On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: RE: FLOWBEE58
Thanks man...i'm trying but this miller dude is making alot of us confused...he is like a democrat on a mission --no offense democrats
Posted by: 12thmanfound On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: correction
***its 47 national titles. they also lead the big12 in this year's winning on all programs. They are leading the big 12 with Olympic medals. They are nationally recognized athletic school and was voted once as the best athletic school, they are Harvard of public university system and they have this awesome hook 'em sign. U see i'm being a sell out because i'm tired of my contributions to my foundation. And here...the only thing i like about the TU athletic program is that they set their standards in a national and international levels. Whereas, we settles for the big12 most of the time. I'm tired...just tired. Last football season when i was in Austin to watch the game i was wearing an aggie shirt with a saw 'em off sign. I was sticking like a sore thumb...but guess what?...some thanked me instead for being there. That's just reminded me that they do not care about us now. Because if they do, you will see most of the horn fans wearing a shirt with our mascot -Revielle wrapped up in gauze (their way of responding to our saw 'em off- now that even worst). Anyway, stay loyal Aggies. I'm trying. Just tired of contributing for nothing.
Posted by: Flowbee58 On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: Become a T-shirt fan
Big 12 foundation, it would be easy to be frustrated. But listening to whorn troll Miller58 sing his siren song about becoming a t-shirt fan is not the way to go. Snap out of it man.
Posted by: Flowbee58 On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: Miller58_Spin Meister and Purveyor of Untruths
Here you are Miller58, on a different thread, lurking around like the whorn troll you are. Please anwer my question on the other blog about ou and tu winning every Big 12 championship this decade. Almost like your post on 2/5/2009 about bringing back Frantastic. Typical throw it against the wall troll. Loser.
Posted by: big12foundation On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: hardcore aggie but having doubts
just tired of being proud for nothing. We can't even recruit. As much as i hate mr miller...he is actually making sense. Not being dillusional here but i'm starting to think we are becoming the big joke of big12. We can't even win good or above average recruits. Tu has 77 national title to brag since the big12 while we have only 3! What the hell! we are being whooped.
Posted by: miler58 On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: LOTS OF AGGIE SPIN MACHINE HONEST MISTAKES POSTED BELOW?
My personal opinions:_____Please correct your basketball honest mistakes?_____The 4*/5* commits by Mark Turgeon for 2010 are 0; and the signees for 2009 one, #88 ranked 4* Guard neil Hibbert 6-6 194._____The tu commits for 2010 are #5 ranked 5* forward Tristan Thompson 6-8 218 and #16 ranked guard 5*Daniel Bejarian 6-5 205._____The tu signees for 2009 are #5 ranked 5* jordan Hamilton,_____#8 ranked 5* Guard Avery Bradley 6-3 178_____and #64 ranked 4* forward Shawn Williams 6-7 215._____Enjoy____miller58
Posted by: hobo On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: This season was a success
As an aggie basketball fan I believe this season was a success. We were not the greatest team, but we did make it into the 2nd round of the tourney. That is a resounding success. Especially when you consider how terrible we were a few years back. We have the right coach and great recruits. Don't let Miller cloud your opinion. He has no idea how to acurately judge the success of a basketball team.
Posted by: CinterL On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: Can't wait for next year!!!
Once again miller strike up the band and play the same old tune. I believe that looking at ESPNU 100 for basketball recruiting is better. We have three ESPNU commits. Not to mention that we had two last year and t.u. had none!!! suck on that!!!
Posted by: RAH1990 On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: SHUT UP MILLER!!!
Mr. CM58 you need to get a life!!! I love our basketball program now. Going to the NCAAs regularly is great. Of course I'd like to go further but we are light years ahead of where we were several seasons ago. Lighten up dude. PS- I bet Gillespie wishes he was still here.
Posted by: Smarter than Miller On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: Miller58 is wrong again
Miller58, you're a little slow. I see you posting all the time on these sites but I never say anything because you are so wrong(facts) so often, your opinion is your opinion. No 4 or 5 star recruits huh? Naji Hibbert and Jamal Branch might have something to say about that. You must be really bored to post so much and add in so many capital letters and underlines and such.
Posted by: On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title:
Miller58 Please go away. We are tired of your rant. It does nothing to help.
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/14/2009
Comment Title: MARK TURGEON OR MIKE SHERMAN: BOTTOM TIER BIG 12 COACHES ???
My personal opinions:_____BOTH ARE NOW BOTTOM OF THE BIG 12 LOSERS!_____FOUR AND FIVE STAR BIG 12 BASKETBALL COMMITS:_____tu 2._____baylor 1,_____Kkansas 1,_____ A&M 0._____These numbers and the terrible 9-8 1-1 Big 12 ncaa record speak for themselves!_____Let the AGGIE SPIN MACHINE lies and spin begin?_____miller58