No. 17 Texas A&M made an announcement with its gritty win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse over No. 11 Purdue: When it performs protection the way in which it did on Saturday, it will possibly beat anybody within the nation.
The Aggies improved to 9-2 with their 70-66 semi-away sport at Purdue.
Purdue College is barely over an hour drive from Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Texas A&M’s win was its third over a ranked opponent. It additionally beat Ohio State and Creighton earlier this season when each have been ranked No. 21.
The Boilermakers entered Saturday seventh within the nation in three-point capturing (40.8%).
Texas A&M held Purdue to a 9-of-26 (34.6%) mark from past the arc whereas additionally forcing 16 turnovers.
After the sport, guard Wade Taylor IV, who completed with 15 factors, 5 assists and 5 steals, mentioned how Texas A&M received in a troublesome highway setting in an on-court interview with CBS school basketball insider Jon Rothstein.
“It simply speaks to our togetherness,” Taylor mentioned. “Coach at all times tells us we’re one of many oldest groups within the nation, so I feel that confirmed in the present day.”
Per KenPom, the Aggies common 3.01 years of expertise, the ninth most within the nation. Texas A&M additionally retained most of its roster that went 21-15 and pushed 1-seed Houston to additional time within the second spherical of the 2024 NCAA Match, a 100-95 loss. KenPom lists its minutes continuity (70.6%) because the fourth-highest within the nation.
The Aggies rank eighth in defensive score (94.1), and their sturdy effort in opposition to Purdue exhibits why they could be a drive within the SEC, college basketball’s best conference.
Texas A&M was picked to finish fifth within the convention within the preseason by SEC media members and is the sixth-highest-ranked SEC crew in KenPom rankings, trailing Auburn (No. 1 general), Tennessee (No. 2), Alabama (No. 7), Florida (No. 8) and Kentucky (No. 10).
Texas A&M performs two extra video games — seemingly wins in opposition to Houston Christian and Abilene Christian — earlier than starting convention play on Jan. 4 in opposition to Texas.
