UConn flexes muscle, ousts Texas A&M
Published Sunday, March 22, 2009 12:09 AM
Staff and wire reports
APPhoto
Connecticut's Jeff Adrien blocks a shot by Texas A&M's Bryan Davis during the first half Saturday in Philadelphia. Adrien scored 23 points on 11-for-16 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds in the Huskies' easy victory.
PHILADELPHIA -- Much of the talk this weekend was about the health of Connecticut head coach Jim Calhoun. But less then 3 minutes into Texas A&M's game against the Calhoun-coached Huskies, it was the Aggies who weren't feeling well.
UConn scored the game's first 10 points in rolling to a 92-66 victory, putting a rude end to the Aggies' school-record fourth straight NCAA Tournament. The Huskies shot 57.9 percent from the field (33 of 57) and had a 39-28 rebounding edge before 19,894 fans at the Wachovia Center.
"Too big, too fast, too good," A&M head coach Mark Turgeon said. "They played great. We were a little intimidated early. We didn't do what we were supposed to do early and got behind. I thought they were great and we weren't as good as we're capable of being."
The 26-point loss was the most lopsided in 19 NCAA Tournament games for the Aggies.
A.J. Price scored 27 points, Jeff Adrien had 23 and Connecticut dominated from the opening tip to put the Huskies in the Sweet 16 for the 12th time under their Hall of Fame coach.
"Are we special yet?" Calhoun said. "A couple of wins from now, we're going to have an idea."
After getting treatment for dehydration and missing Connecticut's first-round game, Calhoun came back and never had to worry as the Huskies had their second straight NCAA blowout.
Stanley Robinson had 12 points for the top-seeded Huskies (29-4), who will play Purdue next week in the West Region semifinals in Glendale, Ariz.
How's this for a possible omen of what's ahead for UConn? The 1999 and 2004 national championships both went through the Phoenix area and Calhoun missed a game in each tournament because of illness.
"We think that we're going to be there every year and we aspire to do that," Calhoun said.
Bryan Davis and Donald Sloan led Texas A&M with 12 points. The ninth-seeded Aggies (24-10) were knocked out by the top seed in the second round for the second straight tournament.
Calhoun appeared a bit more subdued as he sat on the bench. He barked at the refs a couple of times, but otherwise stuffed his hands in his pockets and strolled the bench area like he was talking a walk in the park.
"I think I was my usual self," Calhoun said. "I yelled a couple things out. My wife will tell me about them later."
The Huskies rediscovered their swagger and attitude that vaulted them to the top of the Big East standings and the Associated Press poll earlier this season, making this win an easy one.
UConn broke away at the start with a collection of mid-range jumpers and 3-pointers. They didn't need much from Hasheem Thabeet to crush the Aggies. Thabeet, the 7-foot-3 center and co-player of the year in the Big East, never even touched the ball on offense until midway through the first half. He took just two shots in the game and finished with six points.
"I normally wouldn't think we could do what we did without Hasheem being a dominant force," Calhoun said.
The Aggies had won seven of eight, but surrendered their highest point total of the season and absorbed their worst loss.
"I'm not sure we played a team that good since I've been at A&M," said Turgeon, who completed his second year. "I definitely think they have a chance to be a national champion."
Adrien showed why early.
Adrien scored the first bucket of the game, then blocked A&M's first attempt. He grabbed a missed jumper and swung his two elbows, startling a couple of Aggies. Three possessions later, Price worked the ball in the lane to Adrien for a thunderous and uncontested dunk.
"I was very surprised after I hit the first couple jump shots, they was leaving me that open," Adrien said. "I just kept shooting and I was feeling good.
The Aggies called their first timeout only a minute into the game, and Turgeon played Calhoun's role as the cranky coach. He badgered the officials and was finally whistled for a technical on a foul call with 9:58 left in the first half. Price made two free throws for the technical and Thabeet swished his two and it was 22-8.
"I thought we were going to get better at that point [after the timeout], but we didn't," Turgeon said. "[It] came down to we just could not guard them. We couldn't guard them. We could never put anything together because we could never get a stop."
UConn got great looks and Price didn't even attempt the Huskies' first 3 until almost 9 minutes were left in the half. He made it, of course.
The Aggies made their first 10 shots in their first-round win against BYU, but missed their first five in this one. When Derrick Roland finally hit a jumper, it was already 10-2.
"They did a great job," said senior forward Josh Carter, who was 3 of 13 from the field, including 1 of 6 on 3-pointers. "But we also had a lot of open looks we didn't knock down. Shots we usually make at a high rate, we just didn't get it done today."
Carter, Roland, Sloan and B.J. Holmes combined to shoot 10 for 38. A&M was 3 of 13 on 3-pointers.
Texas A&M's 10th basket came with 2:03 left in the half and UConn's rout was already full steam ahead.
"Guys came out with a few butterflies," Sloan said. "Big game, big stage. We shot fast, didn't execute."
The Huskies' 24-1 start matched the 1995-96 team for best start in school history and they appeared primed for a possible No. 1 overall seed. But they lost one of their most effective outside shooters when Jerome Dyson went down with a knee injury, and the Huskies closed the season only 3-3 in their final six games -- including the classic six-overtime loss to Syracuse.
The finish didn't rob them of a No. 1 seed, but it did seem to make them more vulnerable than invincible.
Scratch that.
"This should be a message sent showing that we are a good team," Price said. "We've had a great year, thus far. Anyone who questioned we were a No. 1 seed, I think we answered those questions by playing hard and showing people we could beat good teams."
Price helped the Huskies pull away in a sizzling stretch to close the first 20 minutes. He hit a pull-up 3 pointer, scored a layup off a turnover, then nailed another 3 that made it 46-22.
OK, he wasn't perfect. He traveled on the next possession.
The second half was academic, simply a time for UConn to pad its stats and put the finishing touches on the rout. The Huskies roughed up Chattanooga 103-47 in the first round, the third-largest margin of victory in NCAA Tournament history.
"I'm really surprised we never made a run," Turgeon said. "That's a credit to how good they are. We just couldn't get a stop."
The Aggies had no answer for Adrien and Price, who shot a combined 19 for 32 from the floor. Adrien didn't come out until 2 minutes were left and Price followed at the 1:30 mark with the Huskies up 26.
"We both played very big today in a big-time game," Price said.
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61 comment(s) found!
Posted by: tap On: 3/28/2009
Comment Title: thanks for pretending to be me.
I haven't been on in a few days. I love how my name was hijacked. By the way fake Tap, Blair coached at Arkansas before A&M. ___ To answer miller...Next year should be a strong year. Any team with 4 seniors with significant playing time together will be solid. For me to mark next year as an improvement, I would want to see the Aggies advance to the elite 8 (min sweet sixteen)with a 30 win season. Winning a big 12 title would be good too. Turgeon must sign 4-5 4* players(top 100 or better) in 2010 to replace the 4 seniors otherwise 2-3 years from now we will have issues. Overall this year was adequete. I do have issues with how they ended the season (blowing the lead to Tech) and serious issues with the UConn game. Purdue didn't play scared and hung around with Uconn despite poor shooting. The Aggies did look like deer in the headlights and they got splattered on the road. Turg has to recruit more players and some depth. I do not think that it is "time for him to go" but...BCG is available...Sherman needs to wake up! Mac has 21 now all 4* plus...Stars, you are right about the having it all including money. Sherman was a terrible hire (hopefully he proves us wrong this year).
Posted by: miller58 On: 3/26/2009
Comment Title: Re: Seeing Stars
My personal opinions: Stars, sad news!_____The full recovery of both young men is by far the most important thing now!_____miller58
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 3/25/2009
Comment Title:
A little bad news from a reliable source in Beaumont area. Seems over spring break Paul Freeney (Sr, DE, from Aldine-Eisenhower) and Billy Chavis (Jr, TE, from Beaumont-Westbrook) were visiting some friends of Chavis in Beaumont when they got into an altercation with a group of individuals who severely beat them to the point of requiring hospitalization. Lots of stitches on both and Freeney will require facial surgery. Also some concern at this point about his vision but is too early to tell. Both are now out of hospital but team activities are on hold for a while. More importantly, let's all wish them a speedy return to a healthy life with no long term issues. It is my understanding that both could have easily lost their life. This source has been very reliable in the past and I have no reason to question him but, if any of you can add some additional info to this please do.
Posted by: miller58 On: 3/25/2009
Comment Title: GOOD COACHES KEEP 66 TO 78 4*/5* DIFFERENCE MAKERS+KICKERS, DEEP SNAPERS, ETC ON THEIR SQUAD AND REPLACE THEM 13 TO 17 EACH YEAR!.
My personal opinions:_____This is Sherman's third signing class!_____Tine is over!_____If he can't sign 13 to 17 difference makers this year, time to throw the caption out of the boat to the sharks!_____Sherman inherited 32 difference makers in november'07, signed 28 more players to fill in any perceived excuse gaps in Feb'08, signed 28 more handpicked players to have great depth and speed at all positions in Feb'09, then Sherman signed additional handpicked transfers from lsu, smu, north texas, etc., has players that started one or more games at almost every position last year that are back: all will be on the Kyle Field this fall, so Sherman has his players, coached and experienced, so either win 9 or more games, or throw the captain out of the boat to the sharks either way this year if he doesn't absolutely produce!_____No more give him time bs on recruiting or winning_____It's now or never?_____miller58
Posted by: On: 3/25/2009
Comment Title:
It's hard to run laps in a boat. Might trip over the captain.
Posted by: Cameron Crazy in Aggieland On: 3/25/2009
Comment Title: Miami's Coach
Hey Miller, the University of Miami coach did the same thing last year when his players did not play the way they should have in their last few games. He made all of them practice. Even the seniors who were leaving for the NFL. He stated he did not care if they were leaving they were still a part of them of the team while they were on campus and recieving a scholarship. Plus, he believe that it was the only way to rebuild the program the right way. I wish Ag coaches had those kind of guts but NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Posted by: miller58 On: 3/25/2009
Comment Title: Re: Seeing Stars
My personal opinions: Stars, thanks!_____The more we learn the truth about Sherman, the "wronger" it is for him to even be near young college kids: yet alone, be Texas A&M's head coach?_____No wonder, he couldn't get another head coaching job in the nfl; and no college wanted him either?_____ miller58
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 3/25/2009
Comment Title: RE: miller58
Just a quick follow to your football comment below and I'll get off the basketball forum. The NFL Draft will occur next month. Couple of recent quotes on players from respected draft analysts and scouts are: Cyril Obiozor..."Like most Aggies, Cyril Obiozor has struggled under Mike Sherman". And for Stephen McGee..."Won't be surprised if Mike Sherman ruins many an NFL career in College Station".
Posted by: miller58 On: 3/25/2009
Comment Title: Re: Cameron Crazy in Aggieland
My personal opinions:_____Cameron Crazy in Aggieland, yes, I saw what Pat Summit did with the practice after losing her game!_____A&M must hire coaches with this intensity and attitude; our candy reared losers must go!_____Wouldn't it have been a ray of sunshine if Turgeon held practice after losing by 10 points in the first couple of minutes to uconn; and then blown out by 26 points at games end?_____Or wouldn't it have been great for Sherman to hold practice the next day after getting blown out by a record setting 9-49 by tu at Kyle Field?_____Or wouldn't it be great if A&M football coaches could just seemingly ever walk into a top recruits living room, without immediatly POing the recruit and his parents; and then come away with a committment?_____In Turgeon's fourth signing class and Sherman's third signing class, it's either two top difference maker classes or two fired coaches this year!_____Good basketball coaches carry a squad with 13 to 17 difference makers; and replace them at a rate of 3 to 4 difference makers every year._____Good football coaches carry a squad of 66 to 78 difference makers + kickers and deep snappers; and replace them at a rate of 13 to 17 difference makers every year!_____This is absolutely the only reason A&M does not win now!_____miller58
Posted by: On: 3/25/2009
Comment Title: Women's Sports
The Lady Ags haven't had the honor of experiencing meddling boosters with their politics before production mindset. Let's hope the ladies don't draw their interest with a national championship.
Posted by: miller58 On: 3/25/2009
Comment Title: Re: tap
My personal opinions:_____Thanks, tap!_____ can yo go into any more detail?_____With us losing four starters next year plus any others, what concerns me short time is that if we dont commit 5 or more difference makers in this recruiting class, it seems we will be dead on arival in 2011 with almost nothing but low ranked leftovers?_____Appreciate your suggestions?_____miller58
Posted by: Cameron Crazy in Aggieland On: 3/25/2009
Comment Title: Did anyone see?
After a disappointing first round loss in the NCAA womens basketball tournament, Coach Pat Summit made her player practice the day after returning to the UT campus and practices will continue for a few weeks according to the coach. She stated that she was very unhappy with her team's performance and wanted to send a messsage early that this was not acceptable for her program and the university. Now here is a coach that gets it and a program that is just not happy "being in the tournament" like your A&M mens program. Yes Tenn is a powerhouse and Summit has made the program great, nevertheless, neither she nor the almuni will except just being there as a success. This woman has won more championships and anyone but she is not just sitting on her hands saying " oh well, at least we made the tournmant." No she wants to keep winning and she wants her players to understand that fact too. De-Turgent would never even think about doing anything like this that why your program is a looser program and always will be!
Posted by: Tap On: 3/25/2009
Comment Title: Miller what they need.............
The Ags need a complete facelift to their program. Better coaches with a better attitude as well. As long as A&M has this "just be glad that we are here" attitude they will continue to be sub-par. Strange that the womens program gets it but does not look like the men do. Well, Blair has been coaching at Georgia before here, so maybe he thinks better than DE-Turegent.
Posted by: Bevo On: 3/25/2009
Comment Title: Aggie and Truth
College station sucks and your miller58 is correct, you guys don't demand very much from you basketball program so that is pretty much what you Ags get....not much.
Posted by: miller58 On: 3/25/2009
Comment Title: DID CHANCELLOR MCKINNEY, PRESIDENT MURANO, AND A MAJORITY OF THE REGENTS HIRE THE 10 WORST FOOTBALL COACHES IN AMERICA?
My personal opinions:_____4*/5* difference maker commits for the current recruiting class are:__Mike Sherman 0,__Noland Cromwell 0,__Jim Turner 0,__Tom Rossely 0,__Randy Jordan 0,__Kirk Doll 0,__Joe Kines 0,__Buddy Wyatt 0,__Charles McMillan 0,__Van Malone 0._____What A&M head coach holds the A&M record for the most losses to Arkansas State at Kyle Field; and holds the A&M record for the most points ever scored by a tu team against A&M at Kyle Field?_____(hint- same coach)_____miller58
Posted by: Pablo On: 3/25/2009
Comment Title: Miller.. Houston has 3 "difference makers"!
Wow. Did not know that. Need to check it out.
Posted by: Pablo On: 3/25/2009
Comment Title: Yo "Why" ... A&M offers less than North Texas?
Assuming you are talking about the college in Denton, you can't be serious... Assuming you mean in general (regionally) let just say that A&M is not competing with NT for Super Bowls, Art districts, or trying to land fortune 500's. A&M is a college town not a metroplex. If you have ever been to A&M that would be very apparent. That is why many of us Aggies move on to other cities (and take over power, I might add.) Who's in charge of Austin?? An Aggie.
Posted by: Pablo On: 3/25/2009
Comment Title: yo "Why" ... social choices?
Are you serious? 6th street? I work at the corner of 6th and Brazos. Have you been there lately, because 6th street is a slum of shops, bars, and eateries surrounded by government buildings, office towers and high rise residential condos. 6th street suffers from an identity crisis. Is it for the college crowd? Is it UT's drag (its not.) Is it a fun spot for visitors?... There is no question what Northgate is.. it belongs to us Aggies! Dixie Chicken.. ours. Dudey's.. ours. That is the beauty of Aggieland.. it is a land for Aggies!
Posted by: Pablo On: 3/25/2009
Comment Title: Yo "Why"... second rate education?
Take a look again. A&M is a top ranked institution in engineering, oceanography, architecture, veterinarian medicine, agriculture (obviously).. research in genetics.. c'mon.. look before you leap,will 'ya.
Posted by: miller58 On: 3/25/2009
Comment Title: ALL THE GOOD FOOTBALL PLAYERS GONE? ONLY LOW RANKED LEFTOVERS NOW FOR A&M?
My personal opinions:_____Sherman can still inflateand pad A&M's point count by signing 28 or more of them!_____ They all count points as 2*'s and 3*'s; and falsely inflate our ranking?_____They don't even have to be enrolled or have entrance qualifications to count!_____There are a lot more committed, but just for example, here's where 75 good players are already committed:__tu 20,__lsu 6,__ou 5,__tech 5,__florida 8,__okie lite 4,__ark 1,__cal 1,__tcu 5,__bama 3,__mich 5,__ohio state 4,__ miami 5,__and houston 3._____A&M's coaching staff has not committed a single 4*/5* difference maker yet this class?_____miller58
Posted by: On: 3/24/2009
Comment Title: Why
Why would a kid other than with a legacy to A&M ever come here given a choice. Top notch education, in what? No college in top 10. Social life, you kidding? With 6th street, lakes, great music and variety of events in Austin and A&M offers Northgate, are you joking? Top notch or traditionally ranked sports, are you on drugs? Face it A&M offers a second rate education, with second rate cutural and social choices, and second tier sports quality. It is run by a second class administration and offers a less than North Texas. Always has been and always will be.
Posted by: miller58 On: 3/24/2009
Comment Title: Re: Cameron Crazy in Aggieland
My personal opinions:_____Cameron Crazy in Aggieland, exactly!_____Every time Ags accept the false made up excuses from a failing employee and backed by a lying Aggie Spin Machine, we lower our standards to the very bottom of the Big 12!_____Just watch who backs these failing employees on this forum!_____ miller58
Posted by: miller58 On: 3/24/2009
Comment Title: Re; tap
My personal opinions:_____ tap, what do you see as the steps we need to take and their progress measured by year to improve over unconn._____ Next season seems pretty much set in stone unless we get a new coach, and a handfull of 4*/5* junior college types with immediate eligibility?_____This coach has less difference makers, now in his fourth signing class year, than when he took over the program._____We need to get to the 13 to 17 level of difference makers by signing a minimum of 5 this year, first eligible in 2011; and at last 5 more next year, first eligible in 2012._____Turgeon has committed a supposedly 5* ranked guard in 2011, eligible in 2012, if I recall correctly; and we lose 4*Sloan and 4*Davis after next year?_____Where do we get the other 9 to 13 needed to sign this year and next?_____You understand basketball!_____Tell me what you are thinking, on how we improve over uconn to a respectable level in the next couple of years?_____miller58
Posted by: Cameron Crazy in Aggieland On: 3/24/2009
Comment Title: Expectations
As long as you Ags have the mentality of "we expect to loose to UCON" then that is going to be your lot. As a man thinks, so he is. I like what the Cleveland State coach said after their win over Wake Forrest. He stated; "we were did not just come here to play, we can here with every expectation of competing and winning." Now this is a from a coach who was playing a 3 seed and they were the 14 seed and they did not come in saying like you Ags "oh we expect to loose, lets just enjoy being here." No, they (Cleveland) expected to win. If they lost, fine but they were going to compete. Unlike you Ags. What a poor effort! With your mentality it is no wonder why you have not and may never win a mens D-I basketball championship!
Posted by: Tap On: 3/24/2009
Comment Title: How
Did this discussion get to football? I want to talk about that sorry, weak mens basketball program that wet their pants against UCON.
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 3/24/2009
Comment Title: RE: Pablo
Waiting goes hand-in-hand with progress. Progress each year til we get there is all anyone should expect. You cannot win titles in a year but you can make progress. This team is not making any significant progress and has even regressed in some areas. There are coaches who are in over their head and it will cause this program setbacks that will not be soon overcome. If you thought this was a better team at the end of the year than the beginning you would be wrong. If you think this where the program should be at this point under sherman's guidance you would be wrong. If you think this recruiting class is stronger than last years you would be wrong. If you think recruits are not rejecting this program you would be wrong. Etc, etc, etc. We are moving the wrong direction. This is all loaded under the "opinion" heading. You will have to wait till december before it becomes "fact".
Posted by: miller58 On: 3/24/2009
Comment Title: TIME HAS RUN OUT ON TURGEON AND SHERMAN!
My personal opinions:_____ Every year the good new coaches sign multiple difference makers the first season and win in the second season._____This is Turgeons fourth signing class and to date he has only lost difference makers; and taken us downhill._____Either Turgeon signs a minimum of 5 difference makers this class, and 5 more in the next class to get us to the 13 to 17 difference makers required to consistently be a good team, or Turgeon is a proven loser employee and gone(fired)!_____This is Shermans third signing class in progress since he was hired in November '07 officially and earlier unoficially._____Sherman has filled in all the perceived excuse holes by signing 28 players in the Feb 08, hand picked and filled in quality depth on the perceived excuse holes with another 28 in Feb '09, added handpicked transfers for more depth, has quality juniors and seniors that started one or more games for him last year and all 80+ will be on Kyle Field this fall. Sherman's handpicked third current class is just an extra 28 top players over his 80+ players?_____Sherman has been coaching A&M since Nvember '07 and they are all Shermans team, so either produce this fall or as another proven loser employee, get out(fired)!_____miller58
Posted by: Pablo On: 3/23/2009
Comment Title: "nobody knows anything" - W. Goldman
It's blog folks.. have fun will 'ya?
Posted by: On: 3/23/2009
Comment Title:
How does everyone know so much about nothing?
Posted by: Pablo On: 3/23/2009
Comment Title: Stars.. we HAVE some of the best coaches in the country
Jury is still out on Sherman.. but I think we are building champions.. takes time and money. My criticism of you and Miller is that you do not want to wait more than a season it seems. Maybe if the coach was more to your liking you would give him/her more time.. so it is what it is.
Posted by: Pablo On: 3/23/2009
Comment Title: LLC, our traditions
LLC, it sounds as if you already have your mind made up, so I don't think you will any other side of it. As someone (not all white) I can honestly tell you that it was a cultural shock back in the day, but once you make friends and become part of something bigger (say the Corp or some Frat) those feeling go away. I didn't have one episode personally, not that they do not exist. But that is the case almost anywhere you go in the South. Minorities are JUST that in college.. a minority! Old Army got you in wad? Sorry, but that is a unique and appreciable history that gets better with time. Hard to explain, I know, but our Game Day atmosphere is second to none! And I've been to quite a few places for football games. Maybe Army-Navy game.. 'Bama-Auburn? But you get the point, 12th man rocks.. why do think the Seahawks jumped on such a good thing?
Posted by: On: 3/23/2009
Comment Title:
Would have loved to see us play UCONN with Deandre Jordan. Jr, Deandre and Davis probably could have had their way. Also, sloan and holmes are the only ballers on the perimeter that we have. NEED MORE BIG BODIES!
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 3/23/2009
Comment Title: ????
What continues to amaze me the most is that we do not lack the things that prevent a university from landing the best coaches in the country.....facilities, recruit availability, location, name recognition, climate, opportunity, and most importantly, MONEY. So what forces must be at work to prevent that from happening? It seems you almost have to work harder to keep it from happening than you do to be successful.
Posted by: On: 3/23/2009
Comment Title:
and because they don't have to be enrolled in school yet, we could have signed the entire vienna boys choir and been ranked #1. (we almost did I think).
Posted by: miller58 On: 3/23/2009
Comment Title: Re; Possibilities
My personal opinions:_____Every extra woman or any male leftover we sign, just adds points to A&M's football recruiting; they all count at least as 2 stars if they are at least alive; and this way, it enables Sherman to really inflate the point count enough to be ranked at a #23 to #25?_____ A lot of really football ignorant people don't know the difference and still think this is a great class; and the Aggie Spin Machine of course, will swear to it?_____miller58
Posted by: On: 3/23/2009
Comment Title: POSSIBILITIES
Maybe we should consider women's football. I mean getting some of the women athletes AND coaches to "suit up" on saturdays in the fall. They seem to have more guts and desire. Their coaches don't seem to whine or "need more time" either.
Posted by: T. Owens On: 3/23/2009
Comment Title: NO Guts!
The reason A&M womens program is so strong and that they are the number 2 seed is that they have one of the strongest schedules in NCAA womens basketball!!! The mens program.....well you know the rest of the story. Get some guts A&M and play somebody non-conference! Not just Priarie View and Arkansas Pine Bluff. Yeah, those teams really put your program on the map.
Posted by: Sniffy from Snook ums On: 3/23/2009
Comment Title: Enough
I am sick of hearing about how the "other" team was just better than we were. Of course UCon was better, but so was Wake and that did not seem to matter to Cleveland State! They played them hard and yes they lost the next round but they beat a team that they were not supposed to. Bryan High could beat BYU. In the UCon game, most of the A&M players acted like they were scared! Most played like a bunch of punks. Our women team could have played harder againts Uncon than they did. I do not mind loosing but to go out there scared and play like they did is just sorry, and that is the coaches fault! If that is the best he can get his team up then yes, he is a looser!
Posted by: Twisted Sister On: 3/23/2009
Comment Title: get use to it
Ags, you guys will never reach the final four with the coach and clowns you have playing for you now. As well as the ones in your up coming freshman class. You may make the tournament, but you will always be one and done, unless you can get BYU to play you every game! lol Gig em!
Posted by: On: 3/23/2009
Comment Title:
Sounds about right. A&M in an UP year is only a little worse than tu in a DOWN year.
Posted by: theDoctor On: 3/23/2009
Comment Title: I agree with the LLC
A&M is outdated. A school that still has yell leaders and fights the idea of having women cheerleaders is very out dated. Traditions are okay but not when they are out of date. LLC point about recruiting in right on point, and I will do you one better. We have right here, playing basketball in the Brazos Valley, the top AAU player in the nation for his age group the last six years! He has every school in the nation trying to recruit him. Good grades, good kid overall, and is a team player! I bet you any amount of money you want that if you asked him which schools are in his top five as to where he will go, A&M is not in the top "200". The kid is literally playing in A&M backyard and he will not even consider going there. Could you say the same thing if he live near Duke, North Carolina, UCon, or even Texas for that matter? No you could not. A&M needs to come in to the 20th century. I know we are in the 21st but I would be happy with them coming into the 20th!
Posted by: miller58 On: 3/23/2009
Comment Title: Re: Your Questions?
My peraonal opinions:_____Some details!_____ Tu won 2 tourney games and ended up 11-7 in conference play; A&M lost to tech jn the first tourney game and ended up 9-8 in conference play ? In the Ncaa A&M was down 10 the first few minutes and never in it, losing by 26 points: tu was in their game right up to the last couple of minutes?_____Tu starts next season with 13 difference makers and already has committd 2 five star recruits to the next class; A&M starts next season with only 5 difference makers, 1 of them a true fish and has zip committed for the next class._____BCG inherited mostly crap at Kentucky including a recruiting class with 0 difference makers from '06, not close to a powerhouse, and is building; BCG has recruited twice the number of difference makers to date as Turgeon, including landing multiple five star players._____If Turgeon can't recruit a minimum of 5 difference makers this class and another minimum 5 next class, A&M is DOA for the 2011 and 2012 seasons because of his past terrible recruiting! BCG needs a good recruiting class this year as well!_____miller58
Posted by: the "18 y.o. hi school phenom with good grades" On: 3/23/2009
Comment Title: RE: The Shark
Not what I had in mind but you do prove my point.
Posted by: On: 3/23/2009
Comment Title:
Miller, If our recruiting is so much worse than tu's, and our coaches are such morons compared to tu's, then how do you explain how we finished with the same conference record, a better overall record and rpi, and advanced just as far as the sips did in the NCAA's? Are things where any true Ag wants them? NO! But we are getting better at basketball, even without the "Handshake King" (BCG, who took a team with superior talent all the way to the NIT).
Posted by: On: 3/23/2009
Comment Title: A&M needs to change
Change Conferences that is. We need to be in a second tier conference because we are not competitive in the BIG 12 or any other such league and that includes all men's sports. A&M has always been a second rate sports program and always will be.
Posted by: On: 3/22/2009
Comment Title: Hold on there Bud
Choking means having the talent in the first place but not being able to use it when needed. And have you noticed, even some of the women's sports are trending downward. But how 'bout that upcoming PHYSICS fair. I think if we "give him the time to get his own professors" that department head will take us to the top of the quantum electromagnetic world. Let's have a maroon out for that one........whoooop!!
Posted by: Bud On: 3/22/2009
Comment Title:
What traditions? Choking? Women's sports?
Posted by: LLC On: 3/22/2009
Comment Title: RE: tap
UCONN has 16 4/5 star players on their roster. Guess they figured they would need someone next year too. Someone after the 8-10 that get the minutes now.
Posted by: miller58 On: 3/22/2009
Comment Title: Re: tap and next year
My personal opinions: tap, here is a quick sample of next years teams 4*/5*difference makers signed for the classes of '09,'08,'07,'06, and'05:_____North Caroina 17;_____Florida 14;_____duke 16;_____louisville 13;_____uconn 12;_____ku 14;_____tu 13;_____osu 12;_____ou 10;_____baylor 9;_____ksu 6;_____A&M 6:__________This is Turgeons fourth signing class at A&M; and as of now Rick Barnes has committed 2 five stars; Scott Drew has committed 1 five star; Bill Self has committed 1 four star; and Mark Turgeon has committed 0 five stars and 0 four stars!_____In this, his fourth signing class, Turgeon needs to sign a minimum of 5 difference makers in Feb 2010 to add to the only 3(Harris, Loubeau, and Hibbert) that will be returning in 2011; and needs to sign another 5 minimum to get minimum depth required for Turgeon to be anything but a first round loser or worse?_____miller58
Posted by: tap On: 3/22/2009
Comment Title: Voice of reason, my take on the games, next year
So, Good teams have 13-17 difference makers on their squad? Really? hum? Most Great teams have 3-4 "difference makers" at the most and a group of roll players that fill in the gaps. Most teams rarely play more than 8-10 players consistently on their roster. If you go 12 deep, then it is probably due to foul trouble. Div I Men's Basketball only has 13 Scholarships to offer players. So to say 13-17 difference makers is incorrect, because no "difference maker" (by Miller's definition 4*+) would go play at a school without a scholarship.___The Games____ Against BYU they played great. A near flawless opening and they never let BYU back in. Against UConn they were completely overmatched. UConn is an Elite, upper level team, that has a long history of basketball excellence. Their team's strength (inside) trumped our team strength significantly. Because of the lack of an inside game from Davis and Elonu, the outside shooting was covered (due to no help needed to defend the inside). The Aggies ultimately paid dearly for that second half against Tech in the Big 12 tourney. Had they won that game maybe they would have had a better seed. I could list a significant number of 2 - 8 seeds that A&M would match up better against. With a better seed, like a 6 seed (or worse like an 11 or 12), they would have had a significantly better chance of advancing to the sweet 16. The 8/9 seed is a kiss of death in the second round. A good example of a better match would be Duke. The Aggies would have matched up significantly better against Duke. Davis and Elonu would have more success against their frontline. You see how much more success Texas had with Pittman in the game. Even North Carolina would have been a better match up than UConn. UConn will likely be in the final 4 and probably the final.______Turgeon's Recruiting____ Lets review, 2007(BCG's original class, but re-recruited by Turg)De Andre Jordan, 5*. B.J. Holmes 3* (this guy is going to be special) Nathan Walkup 3* (Has a knack for hitting big shots, good off the bench this year) Yes BJ and Nathan were 3*, but I consider them difference makers. See Alabama(Walkup) and Colorado games (BJ's 7 points in the blink of an eye). __2008- Dash Harris and David Loubeau, both 4* guys and both played key roles off the bench this year.__ 2009-Naji Hibbert 4* (#88), Kourtney Roberson 3*(#122), Ray Turner (#144), Khris Middleton (#150). Yes 4 top 150 players. Will they be difference makers? I will tell you next year after I see them play.___2010-none. This is the class Miller is having a fit about(Juniors in High School). With the season over I expect Turgeon to go find players for that class. ___Next year. So, next year we will miss Josh Carter and likely no one else. Elonu may test the waters, but will probably come back. So the returning starters are Davis, Sloan, Roland, and Elonu. Returning bench players are Holmes, Walkup, Dash, and Loubeau. These are 8 guys with good experience and team chemistry. Add 4 top 150 fish and you have 12 deep that can play ball. That makes me excited about next year. One more note about 2010. Turgeon needs to have a good class to replace Davis, Sloan, Roland, and Elonu. If he doesn't then we could have issues in a couple of years.
Posted by: The Shark On: 3/22/2009
Comment Title: Tradition to make you sat "WOW"
To: LLC April 21st - Reed Arena. Be there.
Posted by: On: 3/22/2009
Comment Title: RE: ag11
Three 4 star and one 5 star huh. That's great. Now let's look at how many light years we are away from being considered a real bb program. UCONN, for example, '04, '05, '06, and '08: SIX 5 STAR and EIGHT 4 STAR (add another 4 and another 5 in '09 for good measure). But if your highest aspiration is making a 64 team tournament at the end of the year with a quick exit then we are on the right track.
Posted by: ag11 On: 3/22/2009
Comment Title: miller
ya'll really just need to stop taking him seriously because if you do a little homework and check it out turgeon has actually signed 3 4 star players and 1 5 star player in the 3 years he's recruited here. but just in case ya'll dont believe me ill list the names, his four star recruits are 1 coming next year in Naji Hibbert with 2 more recruits listed in espn's top 150, then 2 from last year in Dashan Harris and David Loubeau, then his 5 star recruit from the year he first got here in 07 after BG left was DeAndre Jordan, plus he's recruited a mass amount of 3 star talent that has shown they can play like BJ holmes and Nathan Walkup. So Miller I apologize for not being able to correct you all this week in your falsities but i was on spring break enjoying myself but now that im back please stop lying because i normally have better things to do than post your corrections
Posted by: On: 3/22/2009
Comment Title: let me try pablo
It seems that the reason given for not landing 4 and 5 star talent is that we could if we wanted to but there are some 3 star players who will be very good and our coaches are so smart that they identify these players and recruit them leaving the 4 and 5 star talent to the other teams who will just have them turn into problems or turn pro in two or three years so they are not worth considering but we could if we wanted to.
Posted by: LLC On: 3/22/2009
Comment Title: RE: Pablo
Let's look at it another way. I am a young, 18 y.o., hi school phenom with good grades from a respected 5A school. My parents and grandparents have told me about your "traditions" which have in the not so distant past included being all male and all white. Your bonfires conjure up past, negative thoughts concerning other events with me and my family. You support and uphold establishments with names like the "dixie" chicken (heck, there was even a university band somewhere that years ago shed its confederate uniforms understanding the sensitivity of the issue). You have very limited social gathering spots for people like me. Yes, "traditions" take on a whole new meaning with me that may differ from your thoughts. You have great academics, facilities, and resources but you remain reluctant to get rid of your old school ways which leads you to poor decisions concerning with regard to hiring your people (coaches/administrators). You will be surprised how far into the future you can see when you turn around and quit looking at the past. But maybe I have missed something. Name for me a couple of traditions that I should be excited about that are not available at other schools. Something that makes me say WOW !!
Posted by: Pablo On: 3/22/2009
Comment Title: A&M traditions are a strength not a weakness
Got to disagree with you LLC. I know of a few friends that come from different universities and are very complimentary of A&M traditions and its history. From all that I have read, no one is suggesting we ONLY recruit 2/3* players, please explain where that came from?? That a majority of Ags want a winning program with an emphasis on quality players is to be applauded, IMO, not ridiculed. It will take time, I understand, but we have time and traditions on our side.
Posted by: Superaggie88 On: 3/22/2009
Comment Title: Miller sippie
My AGGIES without a bunch of "difference makers" made it just as far in the tourney as your sippie team. Do everybody a favor and drink a bottle of clorox.
Posted by: LLC On: 3/22/2009
Comment Title: re: Aggie in Austin
"Give him more time" should replace "Building Champions". You need to quit naming one player here and one player there who was an overachiever and take a look at thr 4 and 5 star players that just took us to school on the hardwood (price, adrien, thabeet, robinson, walker, etc). And then look at the 4 and 5 star players uconn has waiting in the wings (nelson, gay, johnson, bynum, wiggins, dyson, kelly, miles, majok, oriakhi, and coombs-mcdaniel). We proved one thing and one thing only---out of 64 teams we are better than one (byu) and not in the same league with another (uconn). Another tradition quickly being adopted around here in most sports is to sign a bunch of 2/3 star talent so in two years we can name one or two who raised their game instead of signing a bunch of 4/5 star talent and in two years naming the few who didn't make it and then forming a great team out of the big numbers of those who remain. Recruits are not turning down our facilities, our classrooms, or our city. They are turning down our people....old school programs, out of date traditions, out of date ideas, and out of date coaches.
Posted by: On: 3/22/2009
Comment Title: Aggie in Austin
I think Coach Turgeon and the team should be congratulated. Let us face it, UConn is an outright better team. Let us support coach Turgeon and let him have time to work. He has been getting some good recruits. He has not been here long. He needs support and time and all these negative remarks are not going to help. As an Aggie in Austin, nobody wants to win more than I do. And A&M has great facilities. But lets give our coaches time. And just because a high school player is not a 5 star or a blue chip, that does not mean he cannot play. Sometime back a football player named Dat Nyguen came to A&M. He was not a blue chip. But he beat out Trent Driver, who was a blue chip. Let us allow our coaches to recruit who they think can help our program. Let us give our coaches a chance!
Posted by: Pablo On: 3/22/2009
Comment Title: Turgeon is no "loser"
Miller, your drivel is what keeps people like me coming back to this here blog. We had a great run and we lost. I can guarantee you that there will be only one "winner" this year. So, does that make Coach K or Rick Pitino a "loser" if they do not win it all?? I don't think so. Turgeon's style may not be your cup of tea, but calling him a "loser" is insulting to all the hard work (and success) they accomplished this year.
Posted by: miller58 On: 3/22/2009
Comment Title: GOOD TEAMS HAVE 13 TO 17 DIFFERENCE MAKERS ON THEIR SQUAD AND A COACH THAT CAN SIGN 3 TO 4 MORE EVERY YEAR!
My personal opinions:_____A&M has only 6 difference makers on the current squad with Turgeons crappy recruiting failures the past 2 years!_____A&M's Big 12 recruiting so far this year is:_____Rick Barns has committed 2 five star players;_____Drew Scott has committed 1 five star player;_____Bill Self has committed 1 four star player;_____and Mark Turgeon has committed 0 four or five star players this class!_____In his third recruiting season, Turgeon must sign 5 diffrence makers this year and 5 again next year just to catch up for the past two years failures, or A&M has just another proven loser as a head coach?_____miller58
