Aggies Hang On To Defeat #16 Minnesota, 66-65

by Beergut on Nov 30, 2009 5:11 AM CST Comment 4 comments

Derrick Roland was one of three Aggies to score in double-figures (he led the team with 19 points) as the Texas A&M men's basketball team hung on to defeat #16-ranked Minnesota, 66-65. Nathan Walkup added 11 points, and B.J. Holmes scored 10 as the Aggies' defense came up big in the final minute to secure the win.

The Aggies led by 7, 66-59, with 1:11 left in the game. Minnesota whittled the lead down to 1 point, helped by poor shooting at the charity stripe by the Aggies; the team would go a combined 3 for 14 in free throws in the final minutes of the game. Nathan Walkup summed up the Aggies' problems with two missed free throws with 9.4 seconds remaining in the game. Bryan Davis came up huge, blocking Paul Carter's attempt at a game winner, and the Aggies held on for the close win. Defensively, the Aggies forced 12 turnovers in the game which they converted into 24 points.

The win over the Gophers give the Aggies two wins in four days over top 20 ranked teams; the Ags opened the 76 Classic by defeating #19 Clemson. The Aggies will hit the court again Wednesday, when they take on Prairie View A&M at Reed Arena.

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A&M entered the AP top 25 at #19 after their performance at the 76 Classic. Congrats!

by ambivalent on Nov 30, 2009 4:38 PM CST reply actions

There are now three Big XII teams in the AP top 25, and based on votes Oklahoma St is ranked #26.

Mysteriously, Clemson is ranked #18, ahead of the team who handed them their only loss. It really makes me wonder if the voters in the AP poll even watch basketball and the results.

by ambivalent on Nov 30, 2009 4:40 PM CST up reply actions

I believe Clemson had some players sick during the Classic

so maybe they are taking that into account? If they are, it would be a first, because that is unusual voter behavior. Normally a loss is just that, a loss, and reason to move down; reasons why they lost or a team played poorly aren’t taken into consideration.

I Am The 12th Man.com

by Beergut on Nov 30, 2009 5:39 PM CST up reply actions

Sick or not, I think it would make more sense if their positions in the poll were reversed (A&M 18, Clemson 19). But hey, whatever. I’m not on the same dope as your average AP voter.

by ambivalent on Nov 30, 2009 6:39 PM CST up reply actions