By ROBERT CESSNA
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Texas A&M women's basketball team feels right at home in Kansas City. The Aggies' three leading scorers are from the city, led by all-conference players Danielle Adams and Tanisha Smith.
And A&M played well in Kansas City before getting those players. Two years ago the Aggies won their only Big 12 tournament title in Kansas City en route to the school's first NCAA Tournament Elite Eight appearance.
"I am so happy to be a part of something of this magnitude, and the hospitality has been great here in Kansas City," A&M head coach Gary Blair said at the time.
Blair and the Aggies are back in the city known for basketball, barbecue and steaks, and they're looking to improve their resume for the NCAA Tournament.
The effort two years ago earned the Aggies a No. 2 seed for the big dance. A&M upset third-ranked Oklahoma last season in the Big 12 semifinals, which again helped the Aggies earn a No. 2 seed for the NCAA Tournament en route to another Sweet 16 appearance.
The 11th-ranked Aggies (22-7, 10-6) probably need to reach Sunday's championship to get another No. 2 seed, and that likely would mean facing third-ranked and undefeated Nebraska in the semifinals -- after a Lone Star rivalry matchup in the Midwest.
The 15th-ranked Longhorns (22-9) advanced to the quarterfinals with a 64-59 victory over Missouri on Thursday. A&M and Texas will play at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Municipal Auditorium.
Blair said there's a chance the Aggies could slip to a No. 4 seed for the NCAAs if they lose to Texas, but regardless of what A&M does this weekend, it has a solid resume. A&M is eighth nationally in RPI (ratings percentage index), has played the nation's seventh toughest schedule and is finishing strong.
The Aggies have won six of their last seven games, which has been a trademark of Blair teams. Over the last four seasons, A&M is 21-3 over its last six regular season games with 11 victories over ranked teams.
"I'm proud of what we've done in the last four years on finishing," Blair said. "We're not just about a preseason schedule. I think we're about February and March. That's when we play well."
The Big 12 tournament, which has seven ranked teams, is better than any potential NCAA Regional, and playing well in Kansas City would help build momentum for what's ahead.
"It means everything to us because of how well we're playing to finish the season," Blair said. "I don't believe you get any better by resting after a loss."
K.C. natives Adams, Smith and sophomore starting guard Tyra White will have plenty of friends and relatives in the crowd.
"It's going to be a great honor for me to play in front of my hometown," said Adams, who is in her first season with the Aggies after transferring from Jefferson College in Missouri.
Adams was among the fans who watched A&M defeat Oklahoma State for the Big 12 tournament title two years ago.
"I always knew I wanted to play in the Big 12 and have a chance at a conference championship," said Adams, who initially signed with Missouri. "I was really excited to watch them play their style of defense."
White was on the A&M bench two years ago for the Big 12 tournament, taking a medical redshirt after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the season opener.
"Now I'm going to play with my cousin Tanisha, and that's really exciting," White said. "It's like going back and playing in the high school state championship game."
Smith, who is in her second season at A&M, expects to have at least 100 fans follow the team's every move this week.
"I have a lot of relatives and former high school friends in Kansas City," she said.
The players said they'll feel no pressure playing at home.
"We just have to keep our focus and work hard this week," Adams said.
A&M women's Hoops
* Friday's game: No. 15 Texas (21-9, 10-6 in Big 12) vs. No. 11 Texas A&M (22-7, 10-6), 1:30 p.m. Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City
* TV/radio: FSN (Ch. 25)/KZNE, 1150 AM
LINEUPS
Texas A&M (22-7, 10-6 BIG 12)
Name Pos. Ht. Cl. PPG RPG
Sydney Carter G 5-6 So. 8.1 3.3*
Tanisha Smith F 6-0 Sr. 15.2 5.3
Tyra White G 6-0 So. 10.2 4.1
Adaora Elonu F 6-1 So. 8.4 4.5
Damitria Buchanan F 6-2 Sr. 3.1 4.2
TEXAS (21-9, 10-6)
Name Pos. Ht. Cl. PPG RPG
Ashleigh Fontenette G 5-8 So. 9.9 3.3*
Brittainey Raven G 6-0 Sr. 14.9 4.8
Earnesia Williams F 6-1 Sr. 6.5 4.4
Kathleen Nash F 6-2 Jr. 12.2 6.8
Ashley Gayle C 6-4 So. 5.4 6.3
*assists per game
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