College basketball preview

Eyeing another run Syydn S ySydney dney ey CaCarter rter anand rt d thethe Agg Agg Ag gAggie ggi gie wom owomen men hahave ve a naanational ve tional chchampionship ampionship to to dedefend fend in in fe 202011-12.

11-12

The Eagle Sunda y, Decemb er 11 011 Sunday, December 11,, 2201 2011

Kennedy’s Kennedy’s team Kennedy’ team off off and and running running in in Aggieland, Aggieland, page page 3.

3.

AggieSports.com

Men’s Schedule Men’

College Basketball 2011-12

Sunday, December 11, 2011 Sunday

Dallas Baptist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W, 91-55 Nov. 3 Nov. 9 Liberty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W, 81-59 Nov. 13 Southern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W, 83-58 Nov. 1 #Mississippi State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L, 60-69 Nov. 18 #St. John’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W, 58-57 Nov. 26 6 TTexas A&M-Corpus Christi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W, 56-43 Alcorn State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W, 56-44 Nov. 30 Dec. 3 Stephen F. Austin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W, 55-42 Dec. 7 Sam Houston State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W, 64-37 Dec. 10 Louisiana-Monroe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dec. 17 *Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1:30 p.m.

Dec. 22 Rice (FSSW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 p.m.

Dec. 29 Arkansas Tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 p.m.

Jan. 2 at Baylor (ESPNU) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 p.m.

Jan. 7 Iowa State (Big 12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 p.m.

Jan. 11 at Texas (ESPN2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 p.m.

Jan. 14 Texas Tech (Big 12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12:45 p.m. at Missouri (ESPN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4:30 p.m.

Jan. 16 Jan. 21 Oklahoma (Big 12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 p.m.

Jan. 23 at Kansas (ESPN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 p.m.

Jan. 28 Oklahoma State (Big 12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 p.m.

Feb. 1 Baylor (ESPN2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 p.m.

Feb. 4 at Kansas State (Big 12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 p.m.

Feb. 6 TTexas (ESPN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 p.m.

Feb. 11 at Iowa State (Big 12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 p.m.

Feb. 14 at Texas Tech (ESPN2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 p.m.

Feb. 18 Missouri (ESPN2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 p.m.

Feb. 22 Kansas (ESPN2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 p.m.

Feb. 25 at Oklahoma State (ESPN2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 p.m.

Feb. 28 Kansas State (ESPN2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 p.m.

Mar. 3 at Oklahoma (Big 12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 p.m.

March 7-10 ^Big 12 Tournament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TBD #-Coaches vs. Cancer in New York *Orange Bowl Classic ^-in Kansas City

Michael E. Jones, M.D. Family Practice Wishes the Best of Luck To The

Aggie Men & Women Basketball Teams in the 2012 Season

Eagle file photo by Stuar Stuart Villanueva Texas A&M senior guard Dash Harris is averaging 4.4 assists and 3.4 points per game.

Te

On the cover Senior Sydney Carter and A&M men’s coach Billy Kennedy Cover by Stuart Villanueva

2

Index A&M men . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Big 12 men’s update . . . . .5 A&M’s Middleton . . . . . . .6

Big 12 polls, teams . . . . . . .7 Big 12 nen’s capsules . . . . .8 A&M women . . . . . . . . . . . .9 A&M’s Carter . . . . . . . . . . .11 Big 12 women’s update .13

Michael E. Jones, M.D.

Katherine Kriger, P.A.-C/M.H.P StacyVarley, M.S.N.,R.N., F.N.P-B.C.

Accepting New Patients 1121 Briarcrest Drive, Suite 303 Bryan, yan, TX 77802 • (979) 774-1500

See KENNEDY, Page 4

AggieSports.com

In the span of eight months, bad luck has seemingly followed the Texas A&M men’s basketball team.

First, coach Mark Turgeon departed for the greener pastures of Maryland after four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances and an overall record of 97-40.

Then, new coach Billy Kennedy — who brought a sense of optimism to the program — was shockingly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and had to take a leave of absence.

Kennedy returned to the sidelines in the team’s second game against Southern. However, he didn’t have the opportunity to coach the team’s star forward and most important player, Khris Middleton, who suffered a partially torn right meniscus in the season-opener against Liberty.

Yet still, eight games into the 2011-2012 season, No. 22 A&M sits at 7-1 on the season including five consecutive victories.

And its luck looks to be turning around.

Kennedy is getting healthier by the day.

“Last game, I ffelt great, best I’ve felt,” he said. “I’m getting better every day.”

And Middleton will return to the lineup Saturday against Louisiana-Monroe and in time for the team’s trip to take on No. 12 Florida on Dec. 17.

“He'll definitely make us better in a lot of ways, because of his presence on

the floor, and our guys are more confident with him out there,” Kennedy said.

The saying goes: “You never know what you had until it’s gone.”

Middleton’s absence has helped prevent the offense from lighting up the scoreboard, yet the Aggies have stayed on the winning side of it.

Without the preseason All-Big 12 player in the lineup, A&M has scored more than 60 points in only one of its last six games.

“We're still trying to figure out ways to score,” said Elston Turner. “We're trying to push the pace and dictate the tempo of the game. Offensively, we have a lot to work on.”.”

Either Elston or Ray Turner has been the leading scorer in each of the team’s first eight games.

It’s been a surprising start for both players, who came into the season as relative unknowns.

Elston Turner sat out the 2010-2011 season after he transferred from the University of Washington.

Coming into this season, he would be relied upon to replace the outside threats provided by departing seniors B.J. Holmes and Nathan Walkup. And he has done just that.

In the season’s first eight games, Turner is averaging 12.1 points per game, shooting 45 percent from the field and a teamleading 40 percent from 3point range.

One thing Middleton’s absence has allowed the Aggies to do is establish a presence on the inside.

The emerging Ray Turner

Sunday, December 11, 2011 Sunday

By DAVID HARRIS David.harris@theeagle.com

College Basketball 2011-12

Aggie men ready to put bad behind

Eagle file photo by Stuar Stuart Villanueva Texas A&M freshman point guard Jamal Branch is averaging 5.3 points per game in 20.1 minutes of play.

Te

3

AggieSports.com Sunday, December 11, 2011 Sunday College Basketball 2011-12

KENNEDY: Emerging Ray Turner becoming a force inside Continued from 3

notched his first career double-double in the team’s dominant 64-37 victory over Sam Houston State on Wednesday.

Ray has always had the athletic ability, but he has been out of control for the majority of his time at A&M. With Kennedy and staff preaching hard work and with Turner buying in, it looks as if his talent won’t go to waste. Turner leads the team with 14.3 points per game on an efficient 68 percent shooting from the field. He’s also leading the squad with nearly seven rebounds per game.

And David Loubeau is coming on after a slow start. He’s back into double figures, averaging 11 points per contest and hitting 47 percent of his field goals.

Turner believes that Middleton’s return can

only help the guys on the block.

“Teams are going to have to keep an eye on him when he comes back,” Turner said. “He's a potential NBA player, and his return will open up things for David Loubeau and Ray Turner on the inside.

Teams aren't going to be able to double down defensively.”

The highly-touted freshman class of Jordan Green and Jamal Branch have both had their moments during the first stretch of the season. Both have also looked the part of wideeyed 18-year olds still adjusting to the speed and tenacity of the college game.

Green has had to assume a starting role due to Middleton’s injury and is averaging nearly 19 minutes per game — an unexpectedly high number for a guy who wasn’t expected to contribute

Eagle file photo by Stuar Stuart Villanueva Te Texas A&M freshman Jordan Green is averaging 18.6 minutes and 5.6 points per game. He has 17 assists and only eight turnovers.

much this season. He’s averaging nearly 6 points per game and is helping out on the defensive end with his length and athleticism.

Wishes The Wishes The

Aggi Ag gie gi e Me Men n & Wom Women en

Bask Ba sket sk etba et ball ba ll Te Teams ams A Great Great Se Season ason

Serving rv the Brazos rving Br os Valley Since 1976 Braz 3002-D Longmire Drive • College Station, TX 77845 4

979-693-4076 • www.briceco.net

Branch, on the other hand, is still learning how to lead a college team at the point guard — which is, of course, a process.

He’s playing 20 minutes per game and getting some much-needed experience.

However, his 18 turnovers lead the team. y ffast With Big 12 play — A&M approaching opens with a road test against Baylor on Jan. 2 — one thing has been established. The Aggies can lockdown on the defensive end.

In the team’s last four games — all wins — A&M has held all its opponents under 50 points. It’s a historic streak that hasn’t been accomplished in Aggieland since the beginning of the 1959-1960 season.

“We've established that we're a pretty good defensive team,” Turner said.

“A lot of teams don't necessarily establish that this

early in the season, but we're heading in that direction.”.”

Sophomore Keith Davis has helped out a lot.

Kennedy called him the team’s most reliable post defender. In his limited minutes, he’s averaging nearly five rebounds per game and is helping to sure up the middle. He had a breakout effort in Wednesday’s win over SHSU, notching seven rebounds to go along with a season-high five blocks.

“My role is the defensive guy,” Davis said.

“Hopefully ef efully I can keep improving and play the way I’ve been playing.”

The Big 12 is a wideopen race without a clear favorite. Missouri, Baylor, Kansas and A&M all have the talent to win the conference crown.

It may just come down to who is the luckiest. And right now, A&M’s is finally turning around.

By ROBERT CESSNA robert.cessna@theeagle.com

depth this year. We have a lot of guys than can do special things,” Acy said. “We take it personally in practice guarding each other.

Last year, [defense] is what really hurt us.”

Baylor's best player is 611 forward Perry Jones III, who shunned the NBA

AP file photo Missouri senior guard Marcus Denmon is averaging 20.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.

‘It's no surprise at how good a team they were,” Villanova coach Jay Wright said. “We were trying to scrap and fight to keep it close and steal it at the end. They have so many answers and they are so intelligent. Their guards are good. That is a well-

AggieSports.com

AP file photo The Missouri Tigers are 8-0 and ranked No. 10 under former A&M assistant Frank Haith.

coached team.”

Missouri also has defeated Notre Dame (87-58) and California (92-53) at the CBE Classic in Kansas City. Haith, who replaced Mike Anderson, was an assistant at Texas A&M from 1992-95 and 1996-97 and was at Texas for three seasons before being hired as Miami's head coach for the 2004 season.

Missouri suffered a huge loss before the season started when 6-8 senior forward Laurence Bowers (11.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg) suffered a seasonending knee injury.

Kansas at No. 13 and A&M at No. 22 are the league's other ranked teams. Kansas started the season at 13th, its lowest preseason ranking in a decade because it lost six of its top eight scorers via graduation or to the NBA Draft.

Kansas beat UCLA (72-

Sunday, December 11, 2011 Sunday

Texas A&M and Kansas were picked as co-favorites reg r to win the Big 12 regula season championship, but Baylor and Missouri are the teams setting the pace heading into league action.

Baylor won its first seven games to climb to No. 6 in last week’s Top 25 poll. The Bears had four scorers in double figures in last Sunday’s 69-41 victory over previously unbeaten Northwestern in Baylor’s first road game of the season.

“I’ve really been impressed with the unselfishness of the players," Baylor coach Scott Drew said. "We just really have good kids and I think they buy into [the] team [concept].”

Quincy Acy, a 6-foot-7 senior forward, had 16 points and six blocks.

“We have a lot more

draft to return for his sophomore season, even though the preseason Big 12 Player of the Year had to sit out the first five games to complete an NCAA suspension for accepting improper benefits before he got to Baylor. with four Missouri, starters returning, celebrated its return to the Top 10 with an 81-71 victory over Villanova in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.

“The Mizzou brand was on the national scene tonight,” said first-year coach Frank Haith. "And the lights are bright, very bright here in New York.

We had an opportunity on national TV against a good team.”

The 10th-ranked Tigers are led by 6-3 senior guard Marcus Denmon (21.3 ppg), 6-6 senior guard Kim English (16.6 ppg) and 6-8 senior forward Ricardo Ratliffe (14.3 ppg).

College Basketball 2011-12

No. 6 Baylor, No. 10 Missouri off, running

See MEN, Page 15

1000 GEORGE BUSH DRIVE WEST COLLEGE STAT ST ION, TEXAS 77845 979.691.4000

bushlibrary. bushlibrar bushlibrary.tamu.edu/aggieathletics y.tamu.edu/aggieathletics tamu.edu/aggieathletics

text

gigem to 32020 proud corporate partner of Texas A&M Athletics 5

AggieSports.com Sunday, December 11, 2011 Sunday College Basketball 2011-12

6

Middleton plans on putting injury behind quickly

By RICHARD CROOME richard.croome@theeagle.com

Khris Middleton describes himself as being “real laid back.”

That narrative has probably been tested more than any other time the past month with a knee injury that has made the preseason all-Big 12 selection have to play spectator for the first time since he arrived at Texas A&M in the summer of 2009.

Despite his want to be out on the court, Middleton is true to his word when talking about the injury that took place in the first half of the season opener.

“It’s disappointing, but at the same time you really can’t avoid injuries,” said Middleton. “It just happens sometimes. I just have to take it and try to move on from it and when I get back out there, just go out there and play.”

At first, Middleton believed he had tweaked his hamstring, but it turned out he had also torn his meniscus.

“I’m pretty blessed because it could have easily gone worse than it did,” Middleton added. “I’m just happy that it didn’t.”

The injury derailed what had been a great summer of preparation for Middleton, who really came to the forefront nationally last season with a 31-point effort in an overtime win against Arkansas in Dallas.

Middleton’s 14.4 scoring average along with a 5.2 rebounds and nearly three assists a game earned the 6-7 wing second-team allBig 12 honors and eventually one of 22 invites for a tryout to represent the U.S. at the World University Games.

Middleton didn’t make the cut for the team that was coached by Purdue’s

Matt Painter, and included players such as JaMychal Green of Alabama, Missouri’s Marcus Denmon and Notre Dame’s Tim Abromaitis .

“It was still greatt ffor me to go out there and compete against great players, meet different coaches and just learn, which is the main thing I did, learn a lot of things,” said Middleton. “It was definitely one of the most competitive camps I’ve been at. Nothing was given to you so you had to go out there and take it.”

Middleton missed out on a trip to China in August, but still had to get his passport in order.

While the U.S. team was playing in the World University Games, the Aggies had a ffour-game, nine-day excursion to Switzerland and France.

It was more than a consolation prize for Middleton.

“I had a great summer with going to Europe with the team,” Middleton said.

“It was a very fun trip and with the new coaching staff it helped everyone get to know each other a lot better and I think that trip really boosted the chemistry for this team. I mean, everybody gets along well, there are no cliques, everyone talks to everyone, jokes around and at the same time we can tell each other things that we need to work on.”

Unfortunately for Middleton, with the injury and with first-year A&M coach Billy Kennedy’s leave of absence because of Parkinson’s disease, the two have had only a ffew practices together other than when the team prepared for their four games in Europe.

“I’ll be able to pick it up a lot quicker. I’ve been involved watching practice,” said Middleton of

Eagle file photo by Stuar Stuart Villanueva ag 14.4 points per game last season. aged Khris Middleton averaged forw Texas A&M 6-7 junior forward Te

Kennedy’s system. “I love this offense, it has options for everybody, running the lane fast break, the emphasis is to push the ball and it gives everyone a chance to score and make a play.”

The Aggies, having

struggled to score at times this season, will welcome back Middleton on the court, especially in the half-court offense.

“The return of Khris will help a lot because it opens up the floor a little bit,” said Kennedy, who

believes other teams won’t be able to cheat down and help guard the inside players. “It’s hard to hide two guys. Just his presence on the e ffloor, our guys have confidence with him on the floor. He is a very good See MIDDLETON, Page 12

WOMEN’S PRESEASON TEAM C Brittney Griner, Baylor, 6-8, Jr.1L, 23.0 ppg, 7 rpg.

G Odyssey Sims, Baylor, 5-8 Soph., Soph.-1L, 13.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg.

F Carolyn Davis, Kansas, 6-3, Jr.2L, 19.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg.

G/F Toni Young, Oklahoma State, 6-2, Jr.-2L, 15.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg.

G Chassidy Fussell, Texas, 5-10, Soph.-1L, 16.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg.

G Tyra White, Texas A&M, Sr.Sr 3L, 13.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg.

MEN’S POLL Here is the Big 12’s preseason men’s basketball poll. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their teams. First-place votes in parentheses 1. Kansas (5) . . . . . . . . 73 Texas A&M (2) . . . . . 73 3. Baylor (2) . . . . . . . . . 63 4. Missouri (1) . . . . . . . . 61 5. Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 6. Kansas State . . . . . . 39 7. Oklahoma State . . . . 33 8. Iowa State . . . . . . . . . 27 9. Texas Tech . . . . . . . . 15 Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . 15

Preseason Player of the Year: C

MEN’S PRESEASON TEAM F *Perry Jones III, Baylor, 6-11, 235, Soph.

F *Thomas Robinson, Kansas, 69, 237, Jr. G Marcus Denmon, Missouri, 63, 185, Sr. G J’Covan Brown, Texas, 6-1, 197, Jr. F *Khris Middleton, Texas A&M, 6-7, 210, Jr. Jr *-Unanimous Selection.

Preseason Player of the Year: F Perry Jones III, Baylor, 6-11, 235, Soph.

Preseason Newcomer of the Year: F Royce White, Iowa State, 68, 270, Soph.

Preseason Freshman of the LeBryan Nash, Year: G/F Oklahoma State, 6-7, 230.

Eagle file photo by Stuar Stuart Villanueva Texas A&M’ss TTyra White was a preseason All-Big 12 player.

Te

Honorable Mention Quincy Acy, Baylor, 6-7, sr.; Chris Allen, Iowa State, 6-3, sr.; Royce White, Iowa State, 6-8, soph.; Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas, 6-3, sr.; Laurence Bowers, Missouri, 6-8, sr.; Ricardo Ratliffe, Missouri, 6-9, sr.; LeBryan Nash, Oklahoma State, 6-7, fr.

AggieSports.com

Brittney Griner, Baylor, 6-8, Jr. Preseason Newcomer of the Year: C Kelsey Bone, Texas A&M, 6-4, Soph.

Preseason Co-Freshmen of the Year: G Cassie Peoples, Texas, 5-6 and G Alexia Standish, Texas A&M, 5-8.

Honorable Mention Brittany Chambers, Kansas State, 5-8, jr.; Jalana Childs, Kansas State, 6-2, sr.; Aaryn Ellenberg, Oklahoma, 5-7, soph.; Whitney Hand, Oklahoma, 6-1, jr.; Sydney Carter, ter,, TTexas ter exas A&M, 5-6, sr sr.

Sunday, December 11, 2011 Sunday

BIG 12 WOMEN’S POLL Here is the Big 12’s preseason women’s basketball poll. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their teams. First-place votes in parentheses 1. Baylor (9) . . . . . . . . . 81 2. Texas A&M (1) . . . . . 73 3. Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 4. Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . 58 5. Iowa State . . . . . . . . 43 6. Texas Tech . . . . . . . . 37 7. Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . 35 8. Oklahoma State . . . . 30 9. Kansas State . . . . . . 23 10. Missouri . . . . . . . . . . 10

College Basketball 2011-12

Big 12 Preseason Polls & Teams

AGGIE BASKETBALL ---- and ----

COMMERCE NATIONAL P R I M E D FO R S U CC E S S 1221 University Drive East • 979.260.5982 3020 East 29th Street • 979.776.0819 1800 Harvey Mitchell Parkway South, Suite A • 979.696.1425 1198 William D. Fitch Parkway • 979.595.1652

7

AggieSports.com Sunday, December 11, 2011 Sunday College Basketball 2011-12

BIG 12 MEN’S BASKETBALL CAPSULES Texas Tex xas A&M xa A&M Ag Agg Agg ggies, ggi s, 7-1 Coach: Billy Kennedy (211-179 overall, first season at A&M) Last season’s record/Big 12 record: 249/10-6 (T-3). Last season's NCAA Tournament score: Florida State, 50-57.

Starters returning: F Khris Middleton, 6-7, jr., 6.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg (Note: Injured in first game); F David Loubeau, 6-8, sr., 10.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg; G Dash Harris, 6-1, sr., 3.9 ppg, 4.6 apg.

Other lettermen returning: F Kourtney Roberson, 6-9, soph., 5.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg; G Naji Hibbert, 6-5, jr., 3.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg; F Ray Turner, 6-9, jr., 14.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg; F Keith Davis, 6-10, soph., 1.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg.

Newcomers: G Elston Turner, 6-5, jr. (transfer from University of Washington), 11.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg; G Jamal Branch, 6-3, fr., 5.6 ppg, 3.0 apg; G Jordan Green, 6-4, fr., 5.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg; F Zach Kinsley, 6-5, sr., 1.5 ppg, 0.5 rpg.

Key losses: G B.J. Holmes, 9.7 ppg, 3.2 apg; F Nathan Walkup, 9.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg; G Andrew Darko, 2.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg.

Bay aylor Bears rs, 7-0 rs, Coach: Scott Drew (27-116 in ninth season at BU,147-127 overall) Last season’s record/Big 12 record: 1813/7-9 (tied for seventh) Starters returning: F Perry Jones III, 6-11, soph., 19.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg; F Anthony Jones, 610, sr., 9.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg; G A.J. Walton, 6-1, jr., 3.4 ppg, 4.9 apg; F Quincy Acy 6-7, sr., 12.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg.

Other lettermen returning: F Cory Jefferson 6-9, soph., 7.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg; G Fred Ellis 6-6, sr., 1.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg.

Newcomers: G Brady Heslip, 6-2, soph., (transfer from Boston College), 9.6 ppg, 2.9 3pointers per game ; G Pierre Jackson, 5-10, jr., 11.9 ppg, 4.3 apg; G Duece Bello, 6-4, fr., 5.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg.

Iowa owa wa St State Cycl yclones, s, 6-3

8

son at OSU, 255-183 overall) Last season’s record/Big 12 record: 2014/6-10 (ninth). Last season NIT scores: Harvard, 71-54; Washington State, 64-74.

Starters returning: G Keiton Page, 5-9, sr., 11.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg; F Jean-Paul Ollukemi, 6-6, jr., 8.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg.; G Markel Brown, 6-3, soph., 12.0 ppg, 6.9 rpg., 2.3 apg.

Other lettermen returning: G Fred Gulley, 62, soph., 4.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg; G Reger Dowell, 61, jr., 5.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg.

Newcomers: F Le’Bryan Nash, 6-7, fr., 11.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg; G Cezar Guerero, 6-0, fr., 9.9. ppg, 1.9 rpg; G Brian Williams, 6-5, fr., 4.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg; F Michael Cobbins, 6-8, fr., 3.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg; C Philip Jurick, 6-11, jr., 2.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg.

Key losses: F Marshall Moses 14.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg; G Ray Penn 5.9 ppg, 2.1 apg; F Nick Sidorakis, 2.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg; F Roger Franklin, 1.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg.

(Coaching records are through last season)

Coach: Fred Hoiberg (16-16, in his second season) Last season’s record/Big 12 record: 1616, 3-13 (12th) Starters returning: G Scott Christopherson 6-3, sr., 8.9 ppg, 2.0 apg; F Melvin Ejim, 6-6, soph. 5.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg.

Other lettermen returning: G Bubu Palo, 61, soph. 4.4 ppg, 2.0 apg.

Newcomers: F Royce White, 6-8, soph. (transfer from Minnesota) 14.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 4.3 apg; G Chris Allen, 6-3, sr., (transfer from Michigan State) 13.4 ppg, 3.2 apg; G Chris Babb, 6-5, jr., (transfer from Penn State), 11.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg; F Anthony Booker, 6-9, jr. (transfer from Southern Illinois), 3.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg; C Percy Gibson, 6-9, fr., 5.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg; G Korie Lucious, 5-11, sr., (transfer from Michigan State); Tyrus McGee, 6-2, jr., 10.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg.

Key losses: Diante Garrett 17.3 ppg, 6.0 apg; Jake Anderson 12.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg; J Vanderbeken, 11.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg. Calvin Godfrey, 5.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg.

Eagle file photo by Stuar Stuart Villanueva Texas A&M’s Elston Turner is averaging 12.1 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.

Te

Kansas Jay Kan ayhawks ks, 6-2 Coach: Bill Self (237-46 in his ninth season at KU, 444-151 overall) Last season’s record/Big 12 record: 353/14-2 (first). Last season’s NCAA Tournament scores: Boston University, 72-53; Illinois, 73-59; Richmond, 77-57; VCU, 61-71.

Starters returning: G Tyshawn Taylor, 6-3, sr., 16.9 ppg, 3.6 apg.

Other lettermen returning: F Thomas Robinson, 6-9, jr., 17.0 ppg,, 12.0 rpg; G Travis Releford, 6-5, jr., 8.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg; G Elijah Johnson, 6-4, jr., 8.6 ppg, 3.8 apg.; G: Conner Teahan, 6-6, sr., 7.8 ppg., 2.6 rpg; C Jeff Whitney, 7-0, jr., 8.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg.

Newcomers: G Naadir Tharpe, 5-11, fr., 1.1 ppg, 1.1 apg; F Justin Wesley, 6-9, soph. (transfer from Lamar), 2.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg.; F Kevin Young, 6-8, jr. (transfer from LoyolaMarymount), 3.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg.

Key losses: F Marcus Morris 17.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg; F Markieff Morris, 13.6 ppg, 8.3; G Tyrel Reed, 9.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg; G Josh Selby, 7.9 ppg, 2.2 apg; G Brady Morningstar, 7.1 ppg, 3.2 apg.

Kansas St Kan St. Wildcats, 5-1 Coach: Frank Martin (95-43 in his fifth season at KSU) Last season’s record/Big 12 record: 2311/10-6 (tied for third). Last season’s NCAA Tournament scores: Utah State, 73-68; Wisconsin, 65-70.

Starters returning: G Rodney McGruder, 64, jr., 11.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg; F Jamar Samuels, 67, sr., 13.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg; G Shane Southwell, 6-6, soph., 7.6 ppg, 3.0 apg.

Other lettermen returning: G Will Spradling, 6-3, soph., 12.0 ppg, 2.0 apg; G Martavious Irving, 6-1, jr., 7.5 ppg, 2.4 apg; F Jordan Henriquez, 7-0, jr., 8.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg.

Newcomers: F Thomas Gipson, 6-7, fr., 12.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg; G Angel Rodriguez, 5-11, fr., 3.6 ppg, 1.8 apg; G Jeremy Jones, 6-2, jr., 2.2 ppg; F Nino Williams, 6-5, fr., 1.8 ppg.

Key losses: G Jacob Pullen, 20.2 ppg, 3.5

apg; F Curtis Kelly 10.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg; G Nick Russell, 4.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg.

Miss ssouri Tige gers rs, 8-0 rs, Coach: Frank Haith (first season at Missouri, 129-101 overall) Last season’s record/Big 12 record: 2311/8-8 (tied for fifth). Last season's NCAA Tournament scores: Cincinnati, 63-78.

Starters returning: G Marcus Denmon, 6-3, sr., 20.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg; F Ricardo Ratliffe, 6-9, sr., 13.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg; G Kim English, 6-6, sr., 16.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg; G Phil Pressey, 5-10, soph., 8.7 ppg, 4.9 apg.

Other lettermen returning: G Matt Pressey, 6-2, sr., 6.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg.; G Michael Dixon, 61, jr., 11.6 ppg, 2.6 apg; C Steve Moore 6-9, sr., 4.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg.

Newcomers: F Kadeem Green, 6-8, redshirt fr., 2.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg.

Key losses: F Laurence Bowers, 11.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg (suffered a season-long injury); F Justin Safford, 5.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg.

Oklahoma Sooners rs, 6-1 rs, Coach: Lon Krueger (first season at OU, 479-304 overall) Last season’s record/Big 12 record: 1418/5-11 (tied for 10th) Starters returning: F Andrew Fitzgerald, 6-8, jr., 9.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg; G Steven Pledger, 6-4, jr., 17.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg; G Cameron Clark, 6-6, soph., 10.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg; G Carl Blair, 6-2, jr., 4.7 ppg, 2.5 apg.

Other lettermen returning: F Calvin Newell, 6-1, soph., 13.0 ppg, 1.6 rpg; F Tyler Neal, 67 soph., 5.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg; F C.J. Washington, 6-7, sr., 2.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg.

Newcomers: F Romero Osby, 6-8, jr., 11.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg; G Sam Grooms, 6-1, jr., 7.5 ppg, 5.0 apg; C Casey Arent, 6-10, jr., 2.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg.

Key loss: F Cade Davis 14.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg.

Okla. St St. Cowb owboys oys y , 6-2 Coach: Travis Ford (65-37 in his fourth sea-

Texas Tex xas Longhorns, 6-2 xa Coach: Rick Barnes (322-123 in his 14th season at UT, 524-257 overall) Last season’s record/Big 12 record: 288/13-3 (second). Last season NCAA Tournament scores: Oakland, 85-81; Arizona, 69-70.

Starters returning: none Other lettermen returning: G J’Covan Brown, 6-1, jr., 19.4 ppg, 5.0 apg; F Alexis Wangmane, 6-7, sr., 7.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg; C Clint Chapman, 6-10, sr., 5.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg.

Newcomers: F Jonathan Holmes, 6-7, fr., 10.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg; G Sheldon McClellan, 6-4, fr., 11.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg; G Julien Lewis, 6-3, fr., 9.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg; G Myck Kabongo, 6-1, fr., 10.5 ppg, 6.0 apg.; F Jaylen Bond, 6-7, fr., 3.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg.

Key losses: F Jordan Hamilton, 18.6 ppg, 7.7 rpg; F Tristan Thompson, 13.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg; F Gary Johnson 11.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg; G Cory Joseph, 10.4 ppg, 2.9 apg; G Dogus Balbay, 4.1 ppg, 2.1 apg; G Jai Lucas, 3.1 ppg, 1.0 apg; C Matt Hill, 1.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg.

T-Tec Tech Red Raiders rs, 4-4 rs, Coach: Billy Gillispie (first season at Texas Tech, 140-85 overall) Last season’s record/Big 12 record: 1319/5-11 (11th) Starters returning: C Robert Lewandowski, 6-10, sr., 6.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg.

Other lettermen returning: F Jaye Crockett, 6-7, soph., 6.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg; G Javarez Wlilis, 5-11, soph., 6.8 ppg, 2.5 apg.

Newcomers: G Ty Nurse, 6-1, jr. (transfer from Midland College), 11.5 ppg, 1.4 rpg; F Jordan Tolbert, 6-7, fr., 13.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg; G Toddrick Gotcher, 6-3, fr., 8.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.8 apg; Terran Pettaway, 6-6, fr., 6.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg; F Jaron Nash, 6-7, soph. (transfer from Tyler JC), 5.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg; G DeShon Minnis, 6-3, fr., 2.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg; G Kevin Wagner, 5-8, fr., 2.4 ppg, 1.2 apg.

Key losses: G John Roberson, 14.1 ppg, 4.6 apg; Mike Singletary, 12.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg; F Brad Reese, 11.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg; G David Tairu, 10.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg; F D’Waylyn Roberts, 4.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg.

Women’s men’s Schedule men’

Nov. 12 Lamar . . . . . . . . . . . .W, 83-58 Nov. 15 Louisville . . . . . . . . .W, 76-58 Nov. 17 at Arkansas-Little RockW, 83-54 Nov. 20 Mississippi State . . .W, 93-47 Nov. 25 *Temple . . . . . . . . . .W, 71-59 Nov. 26 *Iowa . . . . . . . . . . . .W, 74-58 Dec. 4 at Purdue . . . . . . . . . .L, 51-60 Dec. 6 at Connecticut . . . . . . .L, 51-81 Dec. 11 at TCU . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 p.m.

Dec. 18 Southern Cal . . . . . . . .2 p.m.

Dec. 30 McNeese State . . . . . . .7 p.m.

Jan. 4 at Kansas State . . . . . . .7 p.m.

Jan. 8 Oklahoma (FSN) . . . . . . .2 p.m.

Jan. 11 Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 p.m.

Jan. 14 at Iowa State (FSN) . . . .7 p.m.

Jan. 18 Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . .7 p.m.

Jan. 21 at Kansas . . . . . . . . . . .7 p.m.

Jan. 24 at Oklahoma State . . . .7 p.m.

Jan. 29 Iowa State . . . . . . . . . .1 p.m.

Feb. 1 att TTexas Tech . . . . . . . . .7 p.m.

Feb. 4 Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 p.m.

Feb. 8 Kansas State . . . . . . . . .7 p.m.

Feb. 11 at Baylor (FSN) . . . . . . .5 p.m.

Feb. 14 at Missouri . . . . . . . . . .7 p.m.

Feb. 18 Oklahoma State . . . . . .7 p.m.

Feb. 21 at Oklahoma . . . . . . . . .7 p.m.

Feb. 25 Texas Tech (FSN) . . . . . .7 p.m.

Feb. 27 Baylor (ESPN2) . . . . . . .6 p.m.

Mar. 4 att TTexas (FSN) . . . . . . . . .Noon Mar. 7-10 at Big 12 Tourney . . . . .TBD *-Junkanoo Jam in Bahamas #-in Kansas City

playing professionally.

A&M had 20 turnovers in each of last week's losses and senior wing Tyra White was the only player to score in double figures in both games, and she had only 25. Adams averaged 22.3 points per game last season and A&M averaged only 14 turnovers per game, two big reasons for f the Aggies' 33-5 record.

"You can tell right now we’re not ready for this type of competition," Blair said after the UConn game.

"We’ll get better because of it."

Junior Adrienne Pratcher is replacing Colson at the point. She acquitted herself well last week against Purdue and UConn with eight assists and six turnovers while scoring 17 points. Pratcher shares time with Alexia Standish, who was voted the Big 12

AggieSports.com

It took Gary Blair eight seasons to build one of the worst programs in the country into a national champion, so he's not discouraged that it's going to take longer than a month for this season's team to be ready to defend that title.

A&M had a ffast start to the season with six victories, but playing the toughest back-to-back road games in school history last week showed the Aggies there's lots of work to be done. Purdue had a solid second half en route to a 60-51 victory, then second-ranked Connecticut rolled to an 81-51 triumph, handing A&M its worst loss since before Blair arrived. It also was the first time A&M had consecutive non-conference losses since December 2006, which was the season before the Aggies started a run of earning four straight No. 2 seeds in the NCAA Tournament that climaxed with last season's 76-70 victory over Notre Dame in the national title game.

Just because the program's lost a couple of games, Blair doesn't want a soul jumping off the bandwagon.

"We’ll get better, don’t give up on us," Blair said. "We weren’t a whole lot better at this time last year and I thought we turned into a pretty good ball club. We’ll do a better job of teaching. We just lost our composure completely in the second half [against UConn] and that is correctable."

The Aggies have a veteran team with three returning senior starters, which is why they were ranked No. 6 heading into the season. But they didn't play like a poised team last week with too many turnovers and no one able to score at clutch times. Ballhandling and scoring weren't a problem last season, in part, because of point guard Sydney Colson and AllAmerica post Danielle Adams, players who came up big at the Final Four last season, but are now

Sunday, December 11, 2011 Sunday

By ROBERT CESSNA robert.cessna@theeagle.com

College Basketball 2011-12

Aggie women have set a very high standard

Eagle file photo by Stuar Stuart Villanueva Texas A&M has been seeded No. 2 in four straight NCAA Tournaments under coach Gary Blair.

Te

Conference's co-freshman of the year along with Texas guard Cassie Peoples.

Sophomore post Kelsey Bone, who sat out last season after transferring from South Carolina, leads the team in scoring and rebounding, but is still working on her stamina for A&M's pressing style.

She played only 22 minutes in each of the last two games and wasn't a dominant factor inside with a combined 18 points and nine rebounds.

"I think she's going to get better and better as she gets more playing time," Blair said. "That's our job, to teach her, and she wants to be the best. Nobody on our team knows more about basketball or sports on our team other than Kelsey Bone."

A&M was disappointed that Bone wasn't picked to play for the United States in the summer as was the case in 2008 and ’09.

"That would have helped," Blair said. "Remember, she hasn't played team basketball in a year and a half."

Blair is still excited about having

his first transfer of his 27-year head coaching career, and he said you just don't get a transfer the magnitude of Bone, who was the nation's second-rated recruit in the Class of 2009 by ESPN's HoopGurlz behind current Baylor AllAmerican Brittany Griner.

Bone, who played at Sugar Land Dulles, was Southeastern Conference Newcomer of the Year by the Associated Press after averaging 14 points and 9.2 rebounds per game at South Carolina.

"I think she just got a little home sick and she found out that A&M was the right choice and came back home," Blair said.

Bone, along with 6-4 sophomore Karla Gilbert and 6-7 freshman Rachel Mitchell, give the Aggies potentially the tallest frontline in the game and the most size Blair has had. Mitchell, though, might need time to adjust to the college game. She averaged only 4.8 minutes in the first eight games. Even without Mitchell, Gilbert can spell See WINNING, Page 10

9

AggieSports.com Sunday, December 11, 2011 Sunday College Basketball 2011-12

10

WINNING: Aggies will lean on size of 6-5 Gilbert, 6-4 Bone Continued from 9

Bone or give the Aggies an imposing double low-post attack along with 6-foot-1 senior forward Adaora Elonu also a physical presence. But that size didn't help in A&M's losses as the Aggies had a plus-11 edge in rebounding.

"As coaches, we've never had that size," Blair said.

Gilbert has improved dramatically from last season.

"She was very limited as a ffreshman," Blair said.

"She could really play only on the block. Karla is a whole lot better."

Teams with smaller posts can use their quickness to drive on the Aggies or force Bone and Gilbert to go outside to defend the midrange jumper.

"We have to coach them do more besides blocking shots," Blair said.

"Defensively, we are not where we want to be."

A&M's best defensive player, senior guard Sydney Carter, picked a bad time to have a slump.

Carter, who was on the AllBig 12's defensive team last season, was 0 of 12 shooting against Purdue and 1 of 13 against UConn.

"I promise you it’s a slump," Blair said. "There’s nothing going on with her.

We’ve been having to run so much stuff for Carter — Carter has to get better, she knows it. She’s our leader."

Carter guards the opponent's best shooter which is typically the offguard. But she can also move to the point to pick up A&M's offense or guard a highscoring player such as Baylor's Odyssey Sims.

"If we put Carter on the best wing player, we're a better basketball team," Blair said. "I have enough depth to play through injuries, but I don't have enough depth if I lose Sydney Carter. She's sort of like our Von Miller. She has the ‘it’ factor to make everyone else play better in practice and do everything right off the court as well as on. That's what Carter brings to the team, it's not

def e." only defens off ive value was Her offens magnified in the losses.

White was a combined 10 of 29 shooting and Elonu 5 of 14, and the Aggies couldn't get the ball inside with any consistency.

Blair feels good about both White and Elonu.

The only reason White, who is from Kansas City, is still with the program is because she suffered a season-ending knee injury after 4 minutes against Southern Methodist in the 2007-08 season and took a redshirt.

"She was not mature enough to handle her freshman year," Blair said. "She benefited from that redshirt as a person, student and player. She was homesick. She should have been redshirted, but she was too talented, too good to redshirt. But Tyra White has grown up, the lady has come a long way."

Blair also believes Elonu is ready for a big finish.

She's had fast starts before, but tapered off in league play.

"This is what makes our team stronger," Blair said.

"We have four kids [averaging] in double figures. We can bring people in off the bench. We can share the load with more kids."

Senior forward Kelsey Assarian and senior guard Skylar Collins are high energy players. Junior Cierra Windham can play guard or wing.

Confe ference play fer ay

A&M is picked second in the Big 12 for a second straight season behind Baylor, which is coming off a 15-1 effort. The Lady Bears beat A&M three straight times until the Aggies grabbed a 58-46 victory to win the Dallas Regional.

Blair said at the Big 12 Media Days that he likes flying around the radar, but that's hard to do when you are the defending national champs. A&M also is leaving for the SEC, which Blair knows will give teams an added reason to want to beat the Aggies.

Eagle file photo/Stuar photo/Stuart Villanueva Texas A&M sophomore post Kelsey Bone is averaging 12.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

Te

Blair said former Texas Tech coach Marsha Sharp and Texas coach Jody Conradt received gifts and applause when they had their farewell tours after announcing they'd be retiring. Blair isn't making room in his den for a rocking chair from say Baylor or Oklahoma.

"I think it's going to be tough, not just about going to the SEC," Blair said.

"They're going to say, 'The defending national champion is coming into our building' and people need to respond to that. For us, we have to have some swagger about you. We have a target on our backs, and we have to bring it every day in practice."

Blair is excited that A&M has set a record for season tickets and much of the main bottom level has been sold out.

"We earned that national championship last year," he said. "We didn't back into it. We were the best team at the Final Four last year. Now, we have to defend it and live up to it."

Have a Great Season, Aggies!

Judy Smeins

Broker Broker, CRS, ABR (979) 777-4646

RE/MAX Bryan College Station http://www.judysmeins.com judys@txcyber.com

Senior defensive specialist works hard to break out of recent shooting slump turned her into one of the faces of a program that is the model of women’s college basketball.

“She’s just a competitor,” Schaefer said. “She has a toughness that I really haven’t seen before.

She’s just really a tough, hard-nosed kid. She’s the most physical kid I’ve ever coached.

“She refuses to lose.”

Carter’s relentlessness on the defensive end stretches from baseline to baseline. It’s a tenacity that limited Baylor’s Odyssey Sims in the Elite Eight and flustered Stanford’s guards in the Final Four. To her, defense is something you have to

AggieSports.com

AP file photo Sydney Carter is averaging 11 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.

Senior guard Sydney Carter didn’t want to stop taking shots.

After a strenuous practice Thursday, sweat draped all over her body, Carter kept shooting.

From all spots inside the arc, she launched jumper after jumper, tirelessly attempting to get herself out of a slump. In her last two games, Texas A&M’s leader has gone a combined 1-for-24. The defending national champions have dropped both contests.

“She needs to do better,” said assistant coach Vic Schaefer. “She knows

that. We’re not going to win any games the rest of the year if she goes 1-for-12 or 0-for-12.”

Carter understands that. She also understands that it is going to come — eventually.

“I’m definitely going to shoot myself out of it,” she said. “I have the confidence. I’ve never been a player that is down on myself.”

That undeniable spunk makes her into the player she is. Carter is the heartbeat on a team that thrives on the defensive end of the floor. Though she isn’t the tallest or biggest player on the court, her thirst for competition and eagerness to beat her opponent has

Sunday, December 11, 2011 Sunday

By DAVID HARRIS David.harris@theeagle.com

College Basketball 2012-12

Carter leads the team on, off the court

See CARTER, Page 12

11

AggieSports.com Sunday, December 11, 2011 Sunday College Basketball 2011-12

CARTER: Loves her role Continued from 11 embrace.

“It’s passion. I just love to play defense,” she said. “My motto is if I’m not going to score, my man is not going to score.”

There’s a certain want-to involved in pressure, full-court defense. A&M’s coaching staff has preached it since they arrived.

And it has become the identity of the program. But in order for such a system to work, there has to be a player that can mark the other team’s best. That is Carter.

“She wants that role, she relishes that role, and I think she enjoys being in that position of being a defensive stopper,” Schaefer said.

Schaefer’s gained a respect for Carter since her arrival at A&M. He’s the defensive coach. She’s his pupil.

“She just really is a coach’s dream. She’s been a great pleasure to coach,” he said. “A kid like that, she’s gotten everybody’s best shots. There are no off nights for her. And she answers the bell.”

Carter said that her attentive-

ness and maturity is a product of the bond she has formed with the coaching staff — people that have life lessons in her. instilled lif ff ff,” “I trust this coaching staff,” she said. “I trust in what they say and do. Discipline and coachability comes with that trust. I respect every last one of these coaches for what they’ve done for me.”

Carter’s done just as much for them as they’ve done for her.

Without her play on the defensive end and clutch shooting down the stretch — including 22 points in an Elite Eight win over Baylor — Gary Blair wouldn’t have been hoisting a trophy.

She’s a pest. She knows that going up against her is no small task. So much that a member of the men’s practice team — told her “I hate you” while she was marking him for 94 feet at a time.

The guy hasn’t returned to practice since.

“I definitely hear from friends on other teams, they tell me that I’m so annoying on the defensive end,” Carter said. “And I take pride in that because that’s what we pride ourselves on.”

SportS Medicine Fr o m t h e s i d e l i n e s t o t h e o f f i c e , Te x a s A & M P hy s i c i a n D r. Ko r y G i l l w i l l g e t yo u b a ck i n t h e g a m e with a patient-centered, hands-on a p p r o a ch t o S p o r t s M e d i c i n e .

t e x a s a m p hy s i c i a n s . c o m 979.776.8440 part of the texas A&M Health Science center er

12

MIDDLETON: Unflappable Continued from 11

passer, he can get the ball inside and we expect him to make us better offensively right away.”

A&M’s offense fared well in the opening half of the season before Middleton went down with the in ry. The South Carolina native inju had six points in 10 minutes and appeared to be working well with shooting guard Elston Turner, who was playing his first game af r sitting out last year after afte transferring from Washington.

In Middleton’s absence, Turner has been the lone consistent shooter from the outside.

Middleton has 72 3-pointers in 68 games with the Aggies, shooting 36 percent from behind the arc last season despite becoming a marked man by the opposing defenses.

“More teams put emphasis on paying more attention to me and for me I had to just pass the ball, make the right plays and trust my teammates to do the same thing,” Middleton said. “Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t, but it’s growing pains.”

Middleton has started working

out and should be at full speed by the time the conference schedule opens, which is Jan. 2 at Baylor.

“For me to get my timing back I think it will be just trusting my knee again,” said Middleton. “It might take some time but I’m trying to learn right now to trust my knee not worry about it and go out and play.”

In its final time through the Big 12, A&M was selected to finish first along with the seven-time defending champion Kansas.

With Middleton back and running, and the emergence of the two Turners, Elston and 6-8 forward Ray, the Aggies should vie for a title, but there are no guarantees. Just ask Middleton, who appeared to be a ffixture in the starting lineup after starting 46 in a row.

“It’s nice to get respect, but at the same time it means nothing, you have to go out there and play and what matters is at the end of the season, what you accomplished,” said Middleton. “It just means we have an X on our back and we have to go out and fight every night. We can’t take any nights off.”

Ko r y G i l l , D. O. Sports Medicine

By ROBERT CESSNA robert.cessna@theeagle.com sna@theea sna@theeagle.com

defeated New Mexico and Houston, but the big victory was 70-66 over Penn State, currently ranked No. 17.

“They are going to compete for a Big Ten title,” Tech head coach Kristy Curry said. “There is not a better backcourt that I have seen in a long time, but I thought ours was pretty good today, too, though. It was a lot of fun to watch, I wish Penn State well. They are going to have a great year and I am really proud of our team and how we competed.”

Oklahoma is adjusting to life without AllAmerica guard Danielle Robinson. So far, the Sooners have rolled past inferior competition, but dropped games to Vanderbilt (78-66) and Ohio State (69-63).

“This is why we play teams like this when you’re really young, so you can grow up and figure some things out,” OU head coach Sherri Coale said. "We are doing that slowly but surely so this schedule is going prepare

AP file photo Oklahoma sophomore guard Aaryn Ellenberg is averaging 20 points per game.

Iowa State and Kansas State are two programs that are used to making the NCAA Tournament and being in the Top 25.

Iowa State was on the verge of being ranked, but dropped games to Penn State (66-59) and Michigan (56-49). The Cyclones are coming off a huge victory over rival Iowa 62-54 with four players averaging in double figures. That's been the case as ISU has four of its starters averaging at least 7.3 ppg. As is typical for ISU, it relies heavily on 3-pointers, averaging 7.3 per game.

KSU has a solid 1-2 scoring punch in senior forward Jaiana Childs (15.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg) and junior guard Brittany Chambers (14 ppg, 6.4 rpg). Chambers was a ffirst-team All-Big 12 selection last season and Childs a second-teamer.

KSU has victories over BYU (59-46) and Iowa (8178), but struggles shooting 3-pointers led to losses against Hofstra (64-54) and Purdue (46-42, OT). KSU was a combined 5 of 31

AggieSports.com

AP file photo Baylor’s Brittney Griner is averaging aging 23.9 points, 11.0 rebounds and 5.1 blocks per game.

shooting behind the arc in those games.

A veteran Kansas team won its first nine games, including a 74-73 victory at Wake Forest, but the Jayhawks suffered an 8076 loss at Alabama.

KU returns four starters from a 21-13 team including 6-3 junior forward Carolyn Davis, who earned All-Big 12 honors last season. She's averaging 16.9 ppg. Senior forward Aishah Sutherland (13.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg) and junior guard Angel Goodrich (12 ppg, 8.1 apg) lend support.

OSU is recovering from the airplane crash that took the life of head coach Kurt Budke and assistant head coach Miranda Serna. The Cowgirls canceled two games, but have returned to beat Coppin State, Alcorn State and Indiana. OSU has four players averaging in double figures.

Missouri, 6-1, bounced back from a 74-70 loss against Northwestern with a 56-54 victory over Eastern Illinois.

Second-year coach Robin Pingeton is rebuilding with only two returning starters and several newcomers, including junior transfer Liene Priede (11.6 ppg).

“We’re not where we want to be, obviously,” she said. “We have a lot of work to do, we all know that. You’re trying to instill a toughness, you're trying to challenge them.

You’re trying to get to their innards. At the same time, you're trying to embrace them and pat them on the back and build confidence. It is a challenge, and I don't know, as a coach, that you always get it right, but I think you have a lot better chance at getting it right when you really have strong relationships with your players.”

Senior forwards Christine Flores (21.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.9 bpg) and BreAnne Brock (15.6 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 3.3 bpg) are off to great starts.

Sunday, December 11, 2011 Sunday

The Baylor Lady Bears are the team to beat in the Big 12 — again.

Baylor has been ranked No. 1 in the country almost since the Aggies walked off the court after beating Notre Dame in Indianapolis for last season's national championship.

Baylor’s great start includes a 76-67 victory at Tennessee and a 94-81 victory over Notre Dame. The Lady Bears have the game's top player in 6-foot8 junior All-American Brittany Griner and a budding superstar in 5-8 sophomore point guard Odyssey Sims.

Griner is averaging 23.9 points, 11.0 rebounds and 5.1 blocks per game. She's shooting 62.8 percent from the field. Sims is averaging 18.8 ppg and 7.1 assists per game.

“Baylor is a great team, and I don’t think we'll see one any better,” Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said.

Baylor also returns starters in 6-1 junior forward Destiny Williams (10.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg) and 6foot junior guard Jordan Madden.

But as was the case last season, the Big 12 has several ranked teams that have visions of reaching the Final Four.

Texas A&M lost three times to Baylor last season, but then defeated the Lady Bears for the Dallas Regional final.

The league's other ranked teams are 16thranked Texas Tech, 24thranked Oklahoma and 25th-ranked Texas.

Tech, which handed Baylor its only conference loss last season, returns four starters from a 22-11 team.

Senior forward Kierra Mallard (14.9 ppg, 10.5 rpg) leads a balanced attack supported by junior guards Casey Morris (10.9 ppg) and Monique Smalls (8.1 ppg, 5.3 apg).

The Lady Raiders have

us for our Big 12 play.”

The Sooners are led by sophomore guards Aaryn Ellenberg who is averaging 20 points per game and Morgan Hook (14.6 ppg).

Junior guard Whitney Hand, who got a lot of notoriety for being the fiancee of OU quarterback Landry Jones, is averaging 9.2 ppg.

OU is playing four freshmen at least 7.5 minutes per game.

“We have a bunch of them who have to figure out [how to play at this level],” Coale said.

“Sometimes you get one or two going and then you focus on getting the other two going and then the first two go away. We have a lot of things to fix and a lot of things to work on and a lot of people to pull forward. But again, that is nothing that we didn’t expect.”

Texas is expecting big things in the fifth season for head coach Gail Goestenkors, who was hired from Duke. She hasn't been able to get past the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Austin, and she lost in the first round the last three seasons. She returns four starters from a 19-14 squad and adds 6-4 sophomore post Cokie Reed, who sufsuf fered a season-ending injury late last season.

Sophomore guard Chassidy Fussell, who was a second-team All-Big 12 pick last season, is averaging 17.1 ppg. She's part of a solid backcourt along with senior guard Ashleigh Fontenette (11.7 ppg, 3.1 apg) and Yvonne Anderson (11.6 ppg, 5.4 apg).

Texas has victories over Virginia (79-53) and California (61-60), but the Longhorns missed a chance for a headline win in losses to Stanford (7259) and Tennessee (73-57).

"I saw some great things, and I also saw some things that we need to work on, and we will, and we'll get better," Goestenkors said after the loss to Tennessee.

College Basketball 2012-12

Lady Bears are again the team everyone’s chasing

13

AggieSports.com Sunday, December 11, 2011 Sunday College Basketball 2011-12

BIG 12 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CAPSULES Texas Tex xas A&M xa A&M Ag Agg Agg ggies, 6-2 ggi Coach: Gary Blair (188-79 in his ninth season at A&M, 596-242 overall in his 27th season) Last year’s record/Big 12 record: 33-5, 13-3 (second). Last year’s NCAA scores: McNeese State, 87-47; Rutgers, 70-48; Georgia, 79-38; Baylor, 58-46; Stanford, 6362; Notre Dame, 76-70.

Starters returning: G Tyra White, 6-0, sr., 13.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, All-Big 12; F Sydney Carter, 5-6, sr., 10.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, HM All-Big 12; F Adaora Elonu, 6-1, sr., 8.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg; Other lettermen returning: F Kelsey Assarian, 6-1, sr., 1.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg; G Skylar Collins, 5-9, sr., 1.7 ppg, 0.6 rpg; G Adrienne Pratcher, 5-7, jr., 2.4 ppg, 0.9 rpg; G/F Cierra Windham, 6-0, jr., 0.4 ppg, 0.8 rpg; C Karla Gilbert, 6-5, soph., 4.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg; G Kristen Grant, 5-9, soph., 1.0 ppg, 0.6 rpg Newcomers: C Kelsey Bone, 6-4, soph.; C Rachel Mitchell, 6-7, fr.; G TTori Scott, 5-10, fr.; G Alexia Standish, 5-8, fr.

Key losses: PG Sydney Colson, 8.0 ppg, 2.3 apg, HM All-Big 12 & HM All-American; F/C Danielle Adams, 22.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg, AllAmerican; G Maryann Baker, 5.9 ppg, 4.0, 2.7 rpg, All-Big 12 Sixth Man.

Baylor Lady Bears rs, 8-0 rs, Coach: Kim Mulkey (298-79 in her 12th season) Last year’s record/Big 12 record: 34-3, 15-1 (first). Last year’s NCAA scores: Prairie View, 61-58; West Virginia, 82-68; Green Bay, 86-76; Texas A&M, 46-58.

Starters returning: P Brittney Griner, 6-8, jr., 23.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, All-American; G Odyssey Sims, 5-8, soph., 13.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg, All-Big 12 and Freshman of the Year & HM All-American; F Destiny Williams, 6-1, jr., 8.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg, All-Big 12 Newcomer of the Year; G Jordan Madden, 6-0, jr., 4.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg.

Other lettermen returning: G Shanay Washington, 6-1, soph., 7.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg; G Terran Condrey, 5-7, sr., 2.7 ppg, 1.6 rpg; P Ashley Field, 6-2, sr., 3.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg; G Lindsay Palmer, 5-10, sr., 1.5 ppg, 1.3 rpg; F Mariah Chandler, 6-2, jr., 1.4 ppg, 1.2 rpg; G Kimetria Hayden, 5-11, jr., 5-11, 7.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg; F Brooklyn Pope, 6-1, jr., 7.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg; G Makenzie Robertson, 5-9, soph., 3.1 ppg, 0.8 rpg.

Newcomers: C Sunejiro Agbuke, 6-4, fr.

Key losses: G Melissa Jones, 8.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, All-Big 12 & HM All-American.

Iowa owa Sta State Cy Cycl yclones, 4-2

14

12; F Branshea Brown, 6-2, sr., 5.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg; G Mariah White, 5-7, jr., 4.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg.

Other lettermen returning: G Chantay Caron, 5-11, soph., 2.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg; G JuliAnne Chisholm, 5-11, sr., 1.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg; G Emma Ostermann, 5-8, sr., 0.9 ppg, 0.7 rpg; G Stephanie Whittman, 5-9, soph., 1.0 ppg, 0.6 rpg Newcomers: G Heidi Brown, 5-11, fr.; G Tasha Dickey, 5-10, sr.; F Katya Leick, 6-1, jr.; G Haley Texada, 5-7, fr.; G Ashia Woods, 5-11, fr.

Key losses: G TTaelor Karr, 10.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg; G/F Alina Voronenko, 3.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg; F Brianna Kulas, 2.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg.

Stats and coaching records are through last season

Coach: Bill Fennelly (354-160 in his 17th season at ISU, 520-213 overall in his 24th season) Last year’s record/Big 12 record: 22-11, 9-7 (fifth) Last year’s NCAA scores: Marist, 64-74.

Starters returning: F Chelsea Poppens, 62, jr., 8.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg; F Hallie Christoferson, 6-3, soph., 9.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg; G Lauren Mansfield, 5-7, sr., 8.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg; G/F Jessica Schroll, 5-11, jr., 4.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg.

Other lettermen returning: C Anna Prins, 6-

Missouri Tige gers rs, 6-1 rs,

AP file photo A&M sophomore post Karla Gilbert is averaging aging 6.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.

6, jr. 9.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg; G Chassidy Cole, 5-8, sr., 2.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg; F Amanda Zimmerman, 6-1, jr., 3.5 ppg, 1.9 rpg; G Elly Arganbright, 56, soph., 0.6 ppg, 0.1 rpg; G Kelsey Harris, 510, soph., 2.9 ppg, 1.2 rpg.

Newcomers: G/F Fallon Ellis, 5-11, fr.; C Kileah Mays, 6-1, fr.; G Nikki Moody, 5-8, fr.; G/F Brynn Williamson, 5-11, fr.

Key losses: G Kelsey Bolte, 16.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, All-Big 12 & HM All-American

Kansas Jayhawks, Kan ks, 7-1 Coach: Bonnie Henrickson (117-108, in her eighth season at KU, 275-170 overall in her 15th season) Last year’s record/Big 12 record: 21-13, 6-10 (tied for 8th). WNIT scores: Wichita State, 79-58; Duquesne, 63-80.

Starters returning: F Carolyn Davis, 6-3, jr., 19.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, All-Big 12; G Monica Engelman, 5-11, jr., 1.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg; F Aishah Sutherland, 6-2, sr., 8.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg; G Angel Goodrich, 5-4, jr., 7.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg.

Other lettermen returning: G Kenna Mays, 5-7, soph., 7.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg; F TTania Jackson, 6-2, soph. 4.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg; G CeCe Harper, 58, soph., 3.1 ppg, 1.7 rpg.

Newcomers: G Asia Boyd, 6-1, fr.; G Donielle Breaux, 5-10, fr.; F Chelsea Gardner, 6-3, fr.; G Natalie Knight, 5-7, fr.; F Catherine Williams, 6-1, fr.

Key losses: G Diara Moore, 3.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg; P Krysten Boogaard, 4.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg; G Marisha Brown, 3.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg.

Kansas St Kan State Wildcats, 4-2 Coach: Deb Patterson (300-175 in her 16th season at KSU) Last year’s record/Big 12 record: 21-11, 10-6 (tied for third). NCAA Tournament scores: Purdue, 45-53.

Starters returning: F Jalena Childs, 6-2, sr., 12.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2nd All-Big 12; G Brittany Chambers, 5-8, jr., 16.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, All-Big

Coach: Robin Pingeton (13-18 in her second season, 351-175 overall in her 17th season) Last year’s record/Big 12 record: 13-18, 5-11 (10th) Starters returning: F Christine Flores, 6-3, sr., 13.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg; G Sydney Crafton, 6-5, soph., 5.7 ppg.

Other lettermen returning: F BreAnna Brock, 6-2, sr., 4.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg; G Bekah Mills, 5-9, sr., 3.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg; G Bailey Gee, 5-11, sr., 1.3 ppg, 1.4 rpg; F Maggie Flynn, 61, soph., 1.5 ppg; G TTori Niemann, 5-11, soph., 0.6 ppg, 0.6 rpg; F Paige Spietz, 6-3, soph., 0.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg Newcomers: F Bree Fowler, 5-10, fr.; G Kyley Simmons, 5-7, fr.; C Liz Smith, 6-2, jr.; G Morgan Eye, 5-10, fr.; G Liene Priede, 5-10, jr.

Key losses: F Shakara Jones, 9.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg; G RaeShara Brown, 16.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2nd All-Big 12; G Jasmyn Otote, 4.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg; G Trenee Thornton, 3.1 ppg, 1.3 rpg.

Oklahoma Sooners rs, 3-2 rs, Coach: Sherri Coale (336-155 in her 16th season) Last year’s record/Big 12 record: 23-12, 10-6 (tied for third). Last year’s NCAA scores: James Madison, 86-72; Miami, 88-83; Notre Dame, 53-78.

Starters returning: G Aaryn Ellenberg, 5-7, soph., 16.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, HM All-Big 12; G Whitney Hand, 6-1, jr., 12.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg; C Nicole Griffin, 6-6, soph., 5.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg; Other lettermen returning: G Jasmine Hartman, 5-10, sr., 1.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg; C Lyndsey Cloman, 6-3, jr., 4.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg; F Joanna McFarland, 6-3, jr., 5.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg; C Jelena Cerina, 6-5, sr., 2.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg; G Morgan Hook, 5-10, soph., 6.6 ppg, 1.2 rpg; F Jacqueline Jeffocat, 6-2, soph., 0.7 ppg, 1.3 rpg.

Newcomers: G Sharane Campbell, 5-10, fr.; DaShawn Harden, 5-9, fr.; F Kaylon Williams, 6-3, fr.; F Katherine Zander, 6-4, fr.

Key losses: F Carlee Roethlisberger, 6.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg.; PG Danielle Robinson, 18.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2nd All-American; F Lauren Willis, 2.6 ppg, 1.0 rpg.

Oklahoma St. St. Cowg wgirls, 4-0 wgi Coach: Jim Littell (first season after the death of Kurt Budke who was 11-83 in six seasons and 191-97 overall in nine seasons) Last year’s record/Big 12 record: 17-15, 4-

12 (11th). Last year’s WNIT scores: Pepperdine, 81-74; Wyoming, 71-75.

Starters returning: G/F Toni Young, 6-2, jr., 15.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 2nd All-Big 12; C Lindsey Keller, 6-2, jr., 5.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg; G Tiffany Bias, 5-6, soph., 9.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg; C Vicky McIntyre, 6-6, soph., 11.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg Other lettermen returning: F Heather Howard, 6-3, jr., 2.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg; G Jenni Bryan, soph., 3.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg; G Carissa Crutchfield, 5-6, soph., 3.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg; C Kendra Suttles, 6-1, soph., 4.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg Newcomers: F Liz Donohoe, 6-0, fr.; F Brittney Hardy, 6-2, fr.; C LaShawn Jones, 6-3, fr.; G TTaylor Schippers, 5-8, fr.; G Jordan Schultz, 5-10, fr.

Key losses: G Lakyn Garrison, 7.3 ppg, 1.6 rpg; G/F Precious Robinson, 4.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg; G Carolyn Blair-Mobley, 2.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg

Texas Tex xas Longhorns, 5-2 xa Coach: Gail Goestenkors (84-50 at UT (in her fifth season), 480-149 overall in her 20th season) Last year’s record/Big 12 record: 19-14, 7-96 (tied for seventh). NCAA score: Marquette, 65-68.

Starters returning: G Chassidy Fussell, 510, soph., 16.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2nd All-Big 12; G Yvonne Anderson, 5-7, sr., 11.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg; G Ashleigh Fontenette, 5-8, sr., 11.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, HM All-Big 12; P Ashley Gayle, 6-4, sr., 7.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg.

Other lettermen returning: P Cokie Reed, 6-4, soph., 8.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg; G Chelsea Bass, 5-10, soph., 5.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg; G Tiffany Moore, 5-10, soph., 3.8 ppg, 2.0 rpg; F Anne Marie Hartung, 6-3, soph., 3.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg; G Shanice McKoy, 5-8, soph., 1.4 ppg, 0.9 rpg.

Newcomers: F Kayla Brewer, 6-1, soph.; F Nneka Enempkali, 6-1, fr.; F Ronisha Major, 61, fr.; G Cassie Peoples, 5-6, fr.; G Brady Sanders, 5-11, fr.

Key losses: F Kathleen Nash, 4.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, HM All-Big 12; F Kristen Nash, 4.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg.

T-Tec Tech Lady Raiders rs, 7-0 rs, Coach: Kristy Curry (88-73 in her sixth season at Tech, 267-124 overall in her 13th season) Last year’s record/Big 12 record: 22-11, 8-8 (tied for sixth) Starters returning: F/C Kierra Mallard, 6-3, sr., 12.0 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2nd All-Big 12; F Jordan Barncastle, 6-2, sr., 4.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg; G Monique Smalls, 5-6, jr., 6.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg; G Casey Morris, 5-9, jr., 9.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, HM AllBig 12.

Other lettermen returning: G Christine Hyde, 5-10, jr., 6.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg; G Chynna Brown, 5-8, jr., 7.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg; G Mary Bokenkamp, jr., 5-9, 2.4 ppg, 0.7 rpg; F/C Shauntal Nobles, 6-3, soph., 2.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg; F Kelsi Baker, 6-0, soph., 3.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg; G Antiesha Brown, 5-10, jr., 1.3 ppg, 0.6 rpg; C Haley Schneider, 6-5, soph., 0.9 ppg, 1.1 rpg; F Ebony Walker, 6-2, soph., 1.6 ppg, 0.8 rpg Newcomers: G Amber Battle, 5-9, fr.

Key losses: F TTeena Wickett, 9.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg, HM All-Big 12.

Continued from 5

AggieSports.com

and Santa Clara.

Junior guard Steven Pledger is averaging 17.2 points per game and junior college transfer Sam Grooms is averaging 7.5 ppg and 5.0 assists per game.

“The satisfying thing from a coach’s perspective is to see the progress, to see them take ownership of [the team],” Kruger said after the 85-73 victory over Santa Clara. “The leadership on the court is really good. Sam and Pledge lead the way with maintaining composure, and talking and giving good direction. They're doing that more and more.”

Kruger, who played at K-State, is one of five coaches to take four schools to the NCAA Tournament — KSU, Florida, Illinois and UNLV. The pressure is on fourth-year Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford to rebound from last season's ninth-place finish that left the Cowboys in the NIT, where they split two games.

OSU is leaning heavily on freshman point guard Cezar Guerrero (9.9 ppg) and freshman guard Le'Bryan Nash (11.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg), but the Cowboys have lost their only two games against teams from power conferences — Stanford (8267) and Virginia Tech (59-57).

Iowa State is playing five transfers, four of them averaging in double figures — 6-8 sophomore forward Royce White (14.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg), 63 senior guard Chris Allen (13.4 ppg), 6-5 junior guard Chris Babb (11.3 ppg) and 6-2 junior guard Tyrus McGee (10.1 ppg).

Sunday, December 11, 2011 Sunday

56), Georgetown (67-63) and Long Beach State (88-80), but lost to Kentucky (75-65) and Duke (6861).

The Long Beach State win was big because the 49ers had won at Pitt earlier in the season.

The Jayhawks have had issues rebounding at times and holding onto the basketball.

Kansas out-rebounded Long Beach State 41-24 as 7-foot junior Jeff Withey had 13 rebounds, but the Jayhawks had 22 turnovers that led to 31 49ers' points.

“Our ball handling is just atrocious,” KU head coach Bill Self said.

KU, which returned only one starter in senior guard Tyshawn Taylor, is averaging 15 turnovers per game.

Kansas State will try to replace all-league guard Jacob Pullen (20.2 ppg) with depth. So far, so good, as the Wildcats won their first five games at home, then picked up a big 69-61 victory at Virginia Tech, which has missed the NCAA Tournament the last four seasons and scheduled KSU to beef up its non-conference schedule. It was the 100th victory for KSU head coach Frank Martin, who has led the Wildcats to three NCAA Tournaments in four seasons.

Texas, like Kansas State, finds itself outside the Top 25. And the Longhorns had plenty of work to do after back-to-back losses to Oregon State (100-95, overtime) and North Carolina State (77-74) — a pair of non-ranked teams — at

the TicketCity Legends Classic in East Rutherford, N.J. The Longhorns have bounced back to four straight wins, including a 69-59 victory over UCLA. Texas is led by junior guard J'Covan Brown (19.4 ppg), but the Longhorns have been playing a trio of freshmen — g guard Sheldon McClellan (11.9 ppg), guard Julien Lewis (9.3 ppg) and forward Jaylen Bond (3.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg).

"I'm more blown away every day," UT head coach Rick Barnes said of McClellan. "He is tremendously talented. He still doesn't understand how good he can be."

Texas Tech brought former A&M head coach Billy Gillispie back into the league, but he faces a massive rebuilding job with only one starter back from a 13-19 team. Gillispie has done it before at UTEP and A&M. Gillispie joked during the A&M-Tech football game that at least he wasn't picked 12th in the league, which was the case when he took over the Aggie program.

Tech was picked to tie Oklahoma for 10th — which is last since the league lost Nebraska to the Big Ten and Colorado to the Pac-12. It could take time for Gillispie to turn around Tech, 4-4, which has lost to Indiana State, DePaul, Wake Forest and TCU. Oklahoma has a ffirst-year coach in Lon Kruger, who is 21 victories short of 500. He also has a much better situation with four starters back from a 14-18 team. The Sooners already have beaten Coppin State, Washington State

College Basketball 2011-12

MEN: Kansas in unusual position of not being the top team

OURFREECHECKINGISSTILLFREE! No hassles, No gimmicks, No kidding!

Have you checked with your bank lately to see if your “free checking” is still free? If it’s not, visit one of our five convenient locations throughout Bryan/College Station and open your Free Checking account today!

Amy N. Payne

Assistant Vice President CS Branch Manager

Cathy J. Phillips Vice President Branch Coordinator

Tim R. Murphy

Assistant Vice President Hwy 21 Branch Manager

James B. Nail

Assistant Vice President Tx Ave Branch Manager

Unlimited check writing No monthly service charge No minimum balance requirement Free online banking Free Unlimited BillPay Free TB&T MasterCard® debit card Free ATMs nationwide* $50 minimum opening deposit Free eStatements Free mobile banking† Free Trust24 Telephone Banking First order of bank stock checks at no charge

Bryan/College Station

Local bank. Local bankers. www.banktbt.com

Member FDIC

HWY 21

3400 Highway 21 East Bryan, Texas 77808 (979) 260-2145

COLLEGE STATION

2305 Texas Avenue South College Station, Texas 77840 (979) 260-2138

W. VILLA MARIA

1920 W. Villa Maria Road, Suite 202 Bryan, Texas 77807 (979) 779-1920

TX AVE @ VILLA MARIA 2900 S. Texas Avenue Bryan, Texas 77802 (979) 260-2100

CORPORATE

1716 Briarcrest Drive, Suite 400 Bryan, Texas 77802 (979) 260-2100

Rates, products and programs subject to change without notice. Accounts subject to approval. *Mail or bring in your legible receipt within 60 days from the date of the transaction and the bank will refund any additional fees incurred. † Wireless fees or internet access fees may apply. Contact your local cell phone provider for details.

Eagle/Copyright © 2011. All Rights Reserved. 12/11

Our Free Checking includes:

15

Quality and Integrity at Prices You Can Afford.

Get equipment that’s always clutch.

Gator™ XUVs Hit the trail or the worksite full throttle in a John Deere Gator,™ featuring 23-50HP* engines, speeds up to 44 mph and huge hauling capacity.

Compact Tractors

Select Series™ Lawn Tractors

Tackle any tough job with the versatility of a John Deere Compact Tractor, available with 24-66HP^ engines and dozens of attachments.

Do more around your yard with a John Deere Select Series™ Lawn Tractor, now with a 4-year limited warranty for added peace of mind.

Visit the newly redesigned

CPTRACTOR.COM BRYAN, TX

979-822-7684

NAVASOTA, TX 936-825-6575

TEMPLE, TX

254-773-9916

CAMERON, TX 254-697-6551

TAYLOR, TX

512-352-5296

*The engine horsepower and torque information are provided by the engine manufacturer to be used for comparison purposes only. Actual operating horsepower and torque will be less. Refer to the engine manufacturer’s web site for additional information. ^Manufacturer's estimate of power (ISO) per 97/68/ED. COU9x51211BE-4C