It won't take long for the Texas A&M men's basketball team to know where it stands in the Big 12.
On Saturday, the Aggies open conference play at Oklahoma State against an up-an-coming team under new coach Travis Ford in an always-difficult place to play.
Then it gets tough.
A&M's next four games are against the four teams -- Texas, Oklahoma, Baylor and Kansas -- picked ahead of the Aggies in the Big 12 preseason coaches poll.
A&M coach Mark Turgeon is well aware of what lies ahead, but for now his focus is on slowing down the offensive-minded Cowboys (11-3), who have busted 90 points seven times with four games over 100 points. OSU's lowest point total this season in the cramped confines of Gallagher-Iba Arena is 76 points.
"They want the game in the 90s, and obviously we haven't scored 90 all year," Turgeon said. " You've just got to pick your poison and hopefully you pick right."
Even if he does pick right, A&M's opening stretch of conference games won't let up after A&M's visit to Stillwater, Okla. A&M faces the Big 12's three ranked teams and travels to Kansas 48 hours after hosting Oklahoma.
Despite having nine players taken in the NBA draft and national champion Kansas losing its entire starting lineup, the Big 12 has fared better than ever in nonconference play, winning at a .789 clip and going 7-7 vs. ranked opponents.
A&M was a big part of the conference's success, winning 14 of 15 to match No. 6 Oklahoma with the league's best record. OU started the season in the Top 10 and has won two games against ranked opponents, while A&M's three best victories came against teams that have received votes but haven't cracked the Top 25.
"Sometimes you have to beat a Top 25 team to get noticed," Turgeon said.
The Sooners also have 6-foot-10 sophomore Blake Griffin, who is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft.
While the league is not as star-studded as last season, there are plenty of veterans that fill out the top teams' lineups.
Baylor starts three seniors that went to the NCAA Tournament last season. OU complements Griffin with seniors Tony Crocker and Griffin's brother, Taylor, while Texas is led by seniors A.J. Abrams and Connor Atchley.
A&M can match many of the teams in experience with senior Josh Carter and four juniors, including point guard Donald Sloan.
"It gets tough early," Sloan said. "I noticed that at the beginning of the season. I think we'll do a pretty good job. A lot of people are doubting us, so we've just got to prove ourselves."
A&M's 14-1 record would seem proof enough that the Aggies are strong, but a few close games against teams most expected A&M to put away early has countered victories over Arizona, LSU and Alabama.
Turgeon is still unsure of what the Aggies can do, but he says he's confident the upside is very high.
"As a coach you're hoping that you're going to turn it on and play well," Turgeon said. "We are a veteran [team], but a lot are playing new roles. They have seen [the Big 12], witnessed it and been through it, so that will help."
TEXAS A&M MEN'S BASKETBALL
* Saturday's game: Texas A&M (14-1) at Oklahoma St. (11-3), 8:05 p.m.
* TV/Radio: ESPNU/WTAW, 1620 AM
TEXAS A&M (14-1)
NAMEPOS.HTCL.PPGRPG
Donald SloanG6-3jr.11.5*3.6
Derrick RolandG6-4jr.5.32.2
Josh CarterF6-7sr.13.94.2
Bryan DavisF6-9jr.10.76.5
Chinemelu ElonuC6-10jr.9.56.9
OKLAHOMA STATE (11-3)
NAMEPOS.HTCL.PPGRPG
Byron EatonG5-11sr.12.9*6.1
Terrel HarrisG6-5sr.14.75.3
James AndersonG6-6soph.18.45.6
Obi MuoneloG6-5jr.15.49.6
Malcoln KirklandF6-8soph.3.22.9
*assists per game
Notice about comments:
TheEagle.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. TheEagle.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not theeagle.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Full terms and conditions can be read here.
CU fans not excited about A&M; Remember that bad CU team in 2000? McFerrin thoughts
