sox4lifeinPA Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 I'm looking for info on the Texas A&M basketball preseason report on the team. They're in the Big 12 and i'd like to read more about them, but it's only for insiders... boo... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 I'm looking for info on the Texas A&M basketball preseason report on the team. They're in the Big 12 and i'd like to read more about them, but it's only for insiders... boo... Here is the report on the Aggies. They suck. They have no chance of winning the Big 12. See also Penn State of the Big 10. Any questions? Moderator Edit: My name is Mike, I'm a big, big loser:) (don't mess with me in the sports bar ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sox4lifeinPA Posted November 13, 2003 Author Share Posted November 13, 2003 Antoine Wright is nationally ranked buddy. Garcia-morales, clemente, leech, and pompey are all budding stars. just wait...we're gonna make some waves this year. look out Big 12. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 Antoine Wright is nationally ranked buddy. Garcia-morales, clemente, leech, and pompey are all budding stars. just wait...we're gonna make some waves this year. look out Big 12. I would say that at least 6 teams finish ahead of A&M; Kansas, Texas, Mizzou, OU, OSU, and Texas Tech. Maybe a couple of more depending on how good some of the bottom feeders come up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sox4lifeinPA Posted November 13, 2003 Author Share Posted November 13, 2003 oh definitely, I wasn't suggesting this was our year...maybe next or the following when wright is a senior. I just think we're gonna play spoiler all season long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sox4lifeinPA Posted November 13, 2003 Author Share Posted November 13, 2003 did you notice my edit??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 did you notice my edit??? Yeah I did. Anyway, I don't know if even a spoiler is a realistic possibility for them. The top 3 teams in that confrence are all top 10 caliber teams. Then the next 3 are all top 25 type teams. The Big 12 is GOOD this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiff Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 TEAM PREVIEW: TEXAS A&M Not very often can a coach be satisfied with a team that loses four starters. But for Texas A&M head man Melvin Watkins, his forecast for this year's contingent borders on the unthinkable: optimism. "I think this will be a team that will be talked about for years to come," the sixth-year coach said. Huh? How can that be when one of those four starters, Bernard King (17.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.2 spg)-your best player the past four years-is gone? All King did in his Texas A&M tenure was become the leading scorer in school history and the program's first player to make the all-Big 12 second-team. (He also is the Big 12's all-time leading scorer.) "He was the focal part of our offense pretty much since he was a freshman," Watkins said. "And our opponents knew that as well." As if losing King wasn't enough, Watkins won't have the services of would-be senior power forward Tomas Ress (5.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg), who opted to return to his native country, Italy. Ress, who suffered a life-threatening illness in October 2000, finally got back into form last season. He spent much of his sophomore year re-gaining strength and stamina, after missing all of the 2000-01 season. As a freshman Ress made 12 starts, including a 22-point, eight-rebound performance against Missouri. But despite the attrition, Watkins thinks there's one facet of this team that the 2002-03 version lacked a bit: desire. "I think this group is hungry and that's good, probably, to have," he said. " & We got a little taste of having success last year, and understand that a bit and are more committed to taking the necessary steps." Texas A&M starts with one of the better sophomores in the country in guard/forward Antoine Wright (14.5 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.3 spg, 0.7 bpg). Although his frail frame (6-7, 195) became more of an issue as conference play heated up, Wright still lived up to his hype (ESPN.com's No.1 prep shooting guard in 2002) and earned Big 12 Freshman-of-the-Year honors. He was a third-team All-Big 12 pick and had eight 20-point games and six double-doubles. Wright, the Aggies' second-leading scorer, had team-high averages in rebounds, steals and blocks. He hit the weight room this summer and should be stronger, if not heavier, for his sophomore stint (which very well could be his last as a collegian). Surrounding Wright are five seniors-three starters and two key reserves. Collectively, they have 119 starts. Manning the middle will be Andy Slocum (5.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg), who could have a monster season if there's no other distractions. The 7-foot, 265-pounder played in only half of Texas A&M's games because of a back injury that sidelined him the first seven games and an off-court matter that kept him out another seven during Big 12 play. Slocum was arrested for steroid possession and served time in jail this summer. His felony charge was dropped to a misdemeanor and he is back for his final season. Highly skilled but plagued by injuries throughout his career, Slocum needs to pick up where he left off. He averaged 14.0 points and 7.3 rebounds in his final three games, including a double-double in the Big 12 Tournament. Jesse King (4.7 ppg, 2.7 ppg), is a 6-7 swing man who came off knee surgery last season. King showed signs of brilliance as a sophomore, tallying 17 points at Oklahoma and garnering nine rebounds against Texas. He is 17-for-32 (.531) on three-pointers in conference play the past two seasons. Nick Anderson (4.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg) is another player who missed a chunk of time last year. He'll start at forward, after being out the final 19 games because of an academic suspension. The 6-6 Anderson, the Aggies' second-leading scorer his first two seasons, is capable of having a solid year. The former Parade All-American has career highs of 22 points and 15 rebounds. Leandro Garcia-Morales (5.2 ppg, 2.7 apg), who split time at point guard last year, likely will be a backup at shooting guard this time. Two years back, he was the only JUCO player in America to rank in the top 10 in scoring, assists and steals. A superb free-throw shooter (79 percent), the 6-1 Uruguay native is a crucial piece in the backcourt puzzle. The final senior of the bunch, guard Kevin Turner (7.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg) isn't too bad either. He was the Big 12's second-leading bench scorer. Turner, son of former NBA player Bill Turner, is the team's top three-point shooter (44-for-109, .404) and had four threes in an 81-second span against Tennessee last season. An X factor, of sorts, is sophomore forward Luis Clemente (14.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg), a partial qualifier who sat out last season after prepping at Maine Central Institute. During the Aggies' five-game tour of Italy in August, the 6-8, 225-pound Clemente posted double-doubles as if they were easy to get. "He was a surprise for us in that he hadn't played a Division I game yet," Watkins said. "We welcomed his play and now will expect that out of him." As raw as they come, Clemente will need to learn how to play within a system. But when he does (and it could come sooner than later), he should supplant Anderson at power forward. Vying for time in the backcourt will be Watkins' son, 6-4 sophomore Marcus Watkins (2.6 ppg, 1.0 rpg). He played in all but one game last season and should see his minutes (8.9 mpg) increase. As for the recruiting class, well, Watkins seems to be excited about it. "I think you're going to see this class competing for playing time," he said. " & I think one, two or even three can log a lot of minutes." Last year's recruiting class was a consensus top-25. This year's might be even better. Two of the five newcomers will vie for the point-guard spot. Bobby Leach (16.0 ppg, 9.1 apg, 3.0 spg) and Acie Law (16.6 ppg) come in with all kinds of credentials. Leach, a 6-0 transfer from Neosho (Kan.) Community College is expected to start, but the 6-3, 180-pound freshman Law, from storied Dallas Kimball High School, should be right there. Regardless of who starts, the point will be in good hands. "It's by far the most depth we've had at that position," said Watkins, who will also toy with the idea of Wright playing a little point. Leach, who was recruited by Oklahoma State and Auburn, was fourth nationally in assists and 20th in steals. He plays with a mental toughness that is a prerequisite for running the point. Law, sought by Oklahoma, was an all-state pick despite missing time early because to a broken wrist. Versatile, Law can play the one, two or three, if needed. Also pushing for the starting lineup will be freshman forward LaKeith Blanks (18.4 ppg), from the nation's top-ranked high school, Laurinburg (N.C.) Prep. Blanks was ranked the No. 70 prospect by ESPN.com and was recruited by the last two national champions, Maryland and Syracuse. Don't be surprised if the super athletic 6-5, 195-pounder is starting over King before too long. Six-foot-8, 225-pound Marlon Pompey (16.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg) also helps bolster Texas A&M's frontcourt. Pompey, from Toronto, prepped at fourth-ranked Winchendon (Mass.) School. PrepStars rated Pompey, who was recruited by Syracuse, Texas and Auburn, its 64th-best prospect. Rounding out the class is guard Justin Loewe (21.0 ppg) from Caldwell (Texas) High School, where he was an all-state pick. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State recruited the 6-4, 200-pounder, who made 61 three-pointers as a senior. "He is a shooter that knows how to play the game," Watkins said. BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS "I think we'll be a better than team last year-much more balanced." That statement by Watkins is an attention-grabber, if for no other reason than the fact last year's team was a huge overachiever. Picked to finish last by both the Big 12 media and coaches, Texas A&M tied for seventh with a 6-10 showing. Two of those wins were upsets over Missouri and Texas Tech. So to say the 2003-04 Aggies are a far cry from the 2002-03 ones is bold & but it might not be too far off. There is such balance on the inside and outside that Watkins doesn't have to sweat about whose names are announced before tip-offs. "What I hope is that we have 10 starters," he said. "We'll be a better team when we don't have to worry about that and can just concentrate on getting 10 or 11 players to come together." For a school that hasn't won a Big 12 Tournament game since the conference's inception in 1997, things could be a lot worse at Texas A&M. Especially since the Aggies should be a cinch for their first NIT berth in a decade. A NCAA Tournament appearance isn't totally out of the picture either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sox4lifeinPA Posted November 13, 2003 Author Share Posted November 13, 2003 Thanks Spiff. Exhibition play started last night. we almost broke 100 versus some Australian team. I would echo the depth and balance talk by coach watkins. obviously we're in the toughest conference in the nation, but that only means our play will increase as well. Can't wait to see Coach knight this year...heheh "throw a chair over here!!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 Thanks Spiff. Exhibition play started last night. we almost broke 100 versus some Australian team. I would echo the depth and balance talk by coach watkins. obviously we're in the toughest conference in the nation, but that only means our play will increase as well. Can't wait to see Coach knight this year...heheh "throw a chair over here!!" Just be sure to call him "mister" or "coach".... or else Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Be Good Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 HERES a id and password ID-Syracuse U pass-bigeast BE GOOD pa son Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxfest Posted November 15, 2003 Share Posted November 15, 2003 HERES a id and password ID-Syracuse U pass-bigeast BE GOOD pa son You posted that before and the ID does not work anymore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted November 15, 2003 Share Posted November 15, 2003 Didn't we get a SoxTalk ESPN Insider thing goin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Be Good Posted November 15, 2003 Share Posted November 15, 2003 You posted that before and the ID does not work anymore IT still works for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted November 15, 2003 Share Posted November 15, 2003 IT still works for me Hmm it ain't workin for me either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danman31 Posted November 15, 2003 Share Posted November 15, 2003 Not working for me either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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