The Battalion: November 9, 2011

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A sadhu from the BAPS Hindu Swaminarayan Temple in Houston performs arti at the Diwali: In The Joy of Others program Tuesday evening in Wehner room 114. The program celebrated the Hindu new year and speakers discussed overcoming the struggles of the material world and finding joy in the happiness of helping others.

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Raney, Yancy advance to Texas House runoff Voters increase low-interest student loans, choose November for local elections Trevor Stevens The Battalion The results are in.

However, the students and residents of Brazos County who voted in this special election are not finished deciding the fate of the remaining candidates for the Texas House of Representatives District 14 seat.

The two leading votegetters were Bob Yancy and John Raney. Yancy received 36 percent of the vote with 4,922, Yancy while Raney received 28 percent at 3,758 votes.

Because none of the five candidates received a majority vote, Yancy and Raney will be back on the ballot for a runoff Raney election. Bryce Bender, senior industrial distribution major and Student Government Association vice president of legislative relations, said the run-off election will likely take place Dec. 13.

Also on the ballot were College Station Proposition 1 and Texas Proposition 3.

Sixty-one percent of votes were against Proposition 1. If passed, Propo-

sition 1 would have changed local elections to May and extended mayor and city council term lengths from three to four years.

Matt Cope, senior renewable natural resources major and SGA vice president of community relations, said Proposition 1 will have a great impact on local elections in College Station and increase student turn-out.

“It’s going to enable students to be able to vote in municipal elections much easier than they ever have in the past,” Cope said. “With November elections, we’re in town and most people are already going to be engaged in the election because of the national and state races.”

Those against Proposition 1 said November elections financially benefit the Brazos County because the cost to hold additional elections in May would be higher than coupling local elections with national elections in the fall.

Bender said it costs $35,000 to hold a local election in Brazos County and added that avoiding this additional cost will benefit students.

“The majority of students rent their houses and where do increases and taxes go to? They get passed down to the renter with rental increases and everything,” Bender said. “So, you could speculate that this makes better use of

student’s tax money that they have to pay to landlords in the form of rent checks.”

In a state-wide election, Texans voted to pass Proposition 3, a Texas constitutional amendment.

Of the 681,746 votes, 55 percent were in favor of the amendment.

Amir Barzin, student board member of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, said passing Proposition 3 increased the bonding capacity of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to allow more low-interest loans to be dispersed to students.

“Prop. 3 gives students greater ability to access loans through the College Access Loans Program, which historically has been one of the lowest-interest loans,” Barzin said.

The annual interest rate is currently 5.52 percent for these loans.

Barzin added that College Access Loan is a self-perpetuated loan that doesn’t count against the state debt limit. With the passage of Proposition 3, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board can give out more money to students that qualify for the loan.

“On behalf of all students, this is a big step and it shows that students can make a difference in the perpetuation of education in the state of Texas,” Barzin said.

correction In a Nov. 9 article on page 1, Lt. Col. David Cabrera was killed in Kabul, Afghanistan on Oct. 29.

The Battalion welcomes readers’ comments about published information that may require correction. We will pursue your concern to determine whether a correction needs to be published. Please contact us at editor@thebatt.com.

Page 1 photo illustration by Josh McKenna. Photos by David Godinez, Stephanie Leichtle and Aggie Athletics.

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11/9/11 12:53 AM

basketball preview

page 3 wednesday 11.9.2011

thebattalion

Coaches to make first impression Glynn Cyprien: ‘Big 12 championship and beyond’

AGGIE ATHLETICS

The A&M Women’s team looks to defend its titles as Regional and National Champions.

Cyprien

B

asketball season begins tonight and I can’t tell you how excited our guys and this staff is to get out in front of the Twelfth Man at Reed Arena.

This is our first year here in Aggieland but many of us coaches have brought teams to Reed in the past and we know what an amazing environment the students create.

Reed Arena is known throughout the coaching circles as one of the toughest places to play and the numbers back that up.

You students are so important to our success both on and off the basketball court. In just the short time we’ve been here as a staff, we have gotten to see how special the support is and how much you can directly impact sporting events.

The kids on the team have told us how exciting game day is for Aggie basketball and we can’t wait to get this started.

We have fallen in love with Aggieland, this team loves Aggieland and they consider it a privilege to wear “Texas A&M” on their jersey and represent the student body. We’ve got 18 games here at Reed Arena this winter and we need your support at each and every one of them to help us reach our goal of winning the Big 12 Championship and beyond.

Thanks for all that you do to make Aggie Basketball so special and BTHO Liberty! Gig ’em!

Glynn Cyprien is the associate head coach of the Texas A&M men’s basketball team.

Returning Champs Gary Blair: ‘We need your help’

W

ho would have ever thought that on Tuesday night, April 5, tens of thousands of Aggie students would be watching the women, yes, that is the women’s basketball national championship game with A&M and Notre Dame.

When Tuesday night came, Northgate was packed, along with the Fox and Hound, Boston’s, the Tap, Buffalo Wild Wings, Wings and More and every other venue with a big screen, cold beer and basketball fans.

The television announcers were not talking about the usual suspects: LeBron or Kobe. They were talking about the Aggie women; Sydney, Adaora, Tyra, Maryann and our first All-American, Danielle. As Sydney Colson drove the bus, Tyra finished every big play, Carter made the stops, Adaora hit the tough shots, and Maryann steadied the ship. Danielle went for 30 points, 22 in the second half.

The bandwagon had started and it was led by the Twelfth Man. Even though we were in Indianapolis, we could feel the Aggie Spirit with the thousands of Aggie fans in attendance and the millions watching on television.

A national championship was won and it was a total A&M effort — the team, the staff, the dance team, Hullabaloo Band, Yell Leaders, fans, students and the nation yelled for the underdog that played and acted like a champion.

Blair

It has been a whirlwind summer for all of us and we are grateful for all of the accolades. However, it is time to lace up the basketball shoes once again, and we need your help. We are ranked No. 6 in the country to start and we plan on defending our national championship with class, character and commitment to being the best.

Our first game is Saturday night, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. versus Lamar. We need you there before you head to Northgate later that night.

On the following Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m., we play our toughest non-conference home game against No. 9-ranked Louisville on ESPNU. I realize that some of you have afternoon classes, but I know many of you do not. All I am asking for is 4,000 out of 50,000 Aggies to say, “Yes, I’ll be there!” We will give out our national champion rings to our team before the game and raise the banners.

I’ll see you at Reed, Nov. 12 and 15. Wear your swag and act like national champions. Gig ’em.

Gary Blair is the head coach of the Texas A&M women’s basketball team.

We plan on defending our national championship with class, character and commitment to being the best.”

— A&M head women’s basketball coach Gary Blair

Giving ‘110 percent’ Branch, Green to provide spark off bench Jared Baxter The Battalion High school recruiting is no slamdunk process, but for freshmen guards Jamal Branch and Jordan Green, the commitment to Texas A&M remains constant.

When former A&M men’s head basketball coach Mark Turgeon left for Maryland in May, Aggie fans wondered if Branch and Green would follow suit.

The duo spent the past three years as locked-in prospects for A&M, with Branch committing in September 2008 followed by Green’s verbal commit in 2009.

Rated four- and three-star recruits respectively, Branch and Green waited a few days after Turgeon’s departure to express their intentions to don maroon and white.

“When I signed my letter of intent to Texas A&M, I signed to be an Aggie,” Green tweeted. “Not a player for a coach, but an Aggie! Aggie equals loyalty and family.”

Branch enters the point guard rotation behind senior Dash Harris ranked as the No. 5 prospect in Texas and No. 67 nationally by rivals.com. His expectations — built up after years of waiting to be an Aggie — boiled down to one notion: “Just giving 110 percent.”

“I’m the point guard, so I’m kind of like the quarterback; get everyone where they need to be, talk, distribute the ball, stuff like that, play defense,” Branch said.

The Arlington Grace Prep product is not the only one in his family with a talent for basketball. His cousin, Marcus Denmon, is a senior guard for Missouri, making for some competitive Christmas gatherings. And with much of Branch’s family being from Kansas City, Mo., he said Mizzou was a possibility when pick-

Pg. 3-11.09.11.indd 1

ing college destinations.

“I don’t really like playing on the same team as [Denmon]. I want to play against him — almost like a sibling rivalry,” Branch said.

As for role models, Branch said he tries to shape his game in the form of NBA MVP Derrick Rose, especially when it comes to slithering through defenses. Harris serves as Branch’s example of a NCAA Tournament veteran — not that it stops the freshman from thinking he can take the job.

“I’m very thankful that I have a senior ahead of me that’s been in the tournament, so he knows it all and having him helps my game out a lot,” Branch said.

“My goal is to beat [Harris] out. I mean, whoever steps in front of me, I’m giving it 110 percent. I’m going straight at them.”

Green, the 6-foot-4 shooting guard from Flower Mound, Texas, moved to College Station with Branch in time for summer classes. The two traveled with A&M as part of the team’s August visit to Switzerland and France in which the Aggies played against international competition.

The experience — both in and out of Aggieland — is something Green said takes a mental adjustment coming out of high school.

“You’re skinny coming in and you don’t lift as much as the upperclassmen, so it’s a mental thing you gotta get over,” Green said. “It’s fun. The off-court aspect is cool, living with guys your age and you can do whatever you want to, but you gotta be responsible.”

Green said his biggest influence comes from his father, Cliff, who continues to push Green through drills and frequently fills his son’s phone with texts motivating him to practice hard.

“He put the ball in my hands at about

3 years old, a little Fisher Price hoop” Green said. “He used to take me up to the gym every day, and my mom used to think I was crazy because I wanted to go to the gym at midnight.”

With scorers Elston Turner and Khris Middleton in the lineup, Green said he’s emphasizing the defensive end of the floor in order to get minutes and continues to learn from his teammates.

“I always compete with Khris Middleton every day and he’s just a beast,” Green said. “He’s definitely NBA. He’s busted me up — busted lip, busted legs, every day. I like competing against him because he’s tougher, stronger and wiser.”

Branch scored 6 points on 3-of-9 shooting in A&M’s exhibition against Dallas Baptist on Thursday, while Green added another 4 points and 2 rebounds in 9 minutes of action. Assistant head coach Glynn Cyprien said their roles coming off the bench were a work in progress, but that he was happy with the progression of Branch and Green thus far.

“It’s funny because Jordan ran by me during a timeout and said ‘I have to get used to the speed of the game, coach.’

It’ll be back to the basics with those guys, and those guys have to understand what they need to do for us,” Cyprien said.

“Jamal has to play minutes for us. We can’t play Dash 40 minutes.”

Cyprien said he likes the long, wiry and athletic Green and that his defense stood out.

The upbeat offensive tempo and increased defensive pressure are reasons Branch said makes him excited to be on the court at the same time with Green.

But as for who holds the one-on-one series record: “Jamal. His handles are crazy — sick,” Green said.

Photos by Stephanie Leichtle — THE BATTALION

Freshmen Jamal Branch, above, and Jordan Green, below, played together for Team Texas in the Amateur Athletic Union during high school.

11/9/11 12:53 AM

men’s big 12 basketball preview

page 4 wednesday 11.9.2011

thebattalion

Conference Preview Austin Meek The Battalion For the first time in many years, the landscape of Big 12 men’s basketball looks to be a relatively even spread, rather than one filled with peaks and valleys. Unlike the past — when teams such as Kansas and Oklahoma began the season with realistic title hopes, while squads like Texas Tech and Iowa State were doomed to fail before November began — this year’s manifestation offers unprecedented parity.

Baylor, Kansas, Texas A&M and Missouri are all ranked in the top-25, although no team resides in the top-10. Texas was left off the list after losing five starters, but with the infusion of the talent Rick Barnes recruited, they’re just around the river bend from a national ranking. Other teams, like Iowa State and Oklahoma State, could be dancing come March if a few breaks fall their way. In the Aggies’ last season in the Big 12, the conference title really is up for grabs.

2.

Texas A&M

The Aggies have undergone a tumultuous twelvemonth span. Their beloved head coach, Mark Turgeon, fled for greener grass at Maryland. His hired replacement, Billy Kennedy, was then diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Now, the onus for readying the team for a long season has befallen assistant coach Glenn Cyprien.

Thankfully, the roller coast stops there as Texas A&M returns the majority of last season’s 24-9 squad. Junior Khris Middleton and senior David Loubeau comprise one of the conference’s best forward duos, and freshman Jamaal Branch (No. 9 point guard in the nation) will aid senior Dash Harris in ball-distribution duties.

Player to watch: Junior guard Elston Turner.

After transferring from the University of Washington and riding pine for the obligatory year, Turner and his 38 percent three-point shooting could end up leading the Aggies in scoring this season. He is a shifty ball-handler on the wing and plays within the offense, passing up the first shot to get a better one.

5.

Iowa State

3.

Missouri

1.

Baylor

The 2011 Baylor Bears could be a television sitcom called “Perry and the Quincy’s.” Arguably the strongest frontcourt in the nation, the tandem of forwards Perry Jones III, Quincy Acy, and Quincy Miller will terrorize every team in the Big 12. The Bears bring more talent to the table than any in the conference and, with exit of ball-hogging guard LaceDarius Dunn opening up the floor for Jones to run wild, the Bears could sprint into the national title conversation in no time.

Player to watch: Sophomore foward Perry Jones III. Expectations are sky-high for the lanky 6-foot11-inch Jones after being named the preseason Big 12 Player of the Year by the league’s coaches. Jones has a legitimate shot at winning the National Player of the Year award, being chosen as a First-Team All-American, and garnering the top spot in the 2012 NBA draft.

4.

Kansas

The Tigers were poised to return five players who all averaged double digits in scoring last season, but a knee injury to starting forward Lawrence Bowers brings that total down to four. Still, Mizzou returns the core of a team that has won 77 games over the past three years, the best three-year run in school history. If the Tigers can find consistent guard play to match their front line of Ricardo Ratcliff, Steve Moore, and Kadeem Green, they could be a force to be reckoned with. Sophomore point guard Phil Pressley led all Big 12 freshmen with 61 steals last season and provides a defensive intensity that was matched only by Bowers.

Player to watch: Senior guard Marcus Denmon. A 2011 All-Big 12 First Teamer, Dennon finished the season strong by scoring at least 19 points in seven of his last nine competitions. If Mizzou makes a strong play for the conference title, Denmon will be in the discussion for Big 12 Player of the Year.

Despite finishing the season 35-3 and winning the Big 12 title, Lawrenceville, Kan., shook its head in disappointment as its beloved Jayhawks were bounced in the NCAA tournament by an unheralded VCU team. Losing star brother forwards Marcus and Markieff Morris to the NBA hurts their front line depth, but head coach Bill Self will lean heavily on returning senior guard Tyshawn Taylor and find a way into the March Madness for the 23rd consecutive season — currently the longest active streak in the nation.

Player to watch: Junior foward Thomas Robinson. If Robinson can fill the void left by the Morris twins, Kansas could win its eighth straight regular season title.

Robinson averaged 7.6 ppg and 6.4 rpg last year while playing only 14.6 minutes per contest; if he can replicate those numbers in added playing time, he’ll be a shoo-in for First-Team All-Big 12.

6.

7. Oklahoma State

Texas

There’s nowhere to go but up for the Cyclones, who finished last in the Big 12 with a 3-13 conference record.

Head coach Fred Hoiberg steered his club to a 16-16 overall record, the first time ISU finished .500 or better since 2005-06. Last year’s team was marred by player ineligibility, as four transfers who’d figured to contribute were relegated to a season-long benching. Their presence, especially that of Michigan State-ex point guard Chris Allen, should keep the Cyclones in the middle of the pack.

Player to watch: Senior guard Scott Christopherson. Last season, point guard Diante Garrett took 518 shots, good for 26 percent of Iowa State’s total field-goal attempts. Christopherson and his lifetime .437 three-point percentage (good for second in the Big 12) will mitigate Garrett’s vacancy.

Head coach Rick Barnes, like his counterpart on the football field, is one of the best recruiters in college basketball. He’ll weather the mass exodus of talent in losing all five of last season’s starters with the arrival of eight newcomers, all highly desirable high school talents.

Guard J’Covan Brown will be featured prominently in this Longhorns’ offensive game plan; he scored 10.4 ppg coming off the bench last year and has averaged 21.4 ppg in three NCAA tournament contests.

Player to watch: Freshman guard Myck Kabongo. The No. 2 point guard in the class of 2011, Kabongo will be given the reins from day one. He plays with great speed and moxie and is a pass-first playmaker of the highest caliber.

Last year, guard Keiton Page led the Big 12 in free throws (63-of-68) and free throw percentage (89.4 percent). The career 36 percent three-point shooter will need scoring and rebounding assistance following the departures of Marshall Moses and Matt Pilgrim. Thankfully for the Pokes, they landed one of the off-season’s most sought after prizes, Le’Bryan Nash, a top-10 national recruit. Jean-Paul Olukemi and Michael Collins will tandem with Nash to form a frontcourt that is high on length and versatility but lacking in size and interior strength.

Player to watch: Freshman guard/foward Le’Bryan Nash. Nash, the No. 2 small forward and No. 6 overall player in the country, averaged 22 ppg and 8.7 rpg last year for Lincoln High School (Dallas) and draws comparisons to Ron Artest. He’s got an NBA frame and a quick first step that should allow him to win the Big 12’s Newcomer of the Year award.

8.

9.

10.

Kansas State

Head coach Frank Martin and the Wildcats return three starters from a team that finished third in the conference last season, but the ‘Cats will have to find a new identity in the wake of Jacob Pullen’s departure. “The Beard” helped K-State to the Elite Eight in 2010, and his production and leadership will have to be replaced for Martin’s squad to succeed. Look for the Wildcats to build their identity around tenacious defense, anchored by 7-footer Jordan Henriquez’ patrol of the paint.

Player to watch: Junior guard Rodney McGruder. While starting all 34 games last sason, the 6-foot-4-inch McGruder became the shortest player in school history to lead the team in rebounds (202). His 11.1 ppg were good for second on the team behind Pullen, and he’ll need to boost his scoring to the 15/16 ppg range for the Wildcats to scare anyone in the Big 12.

Texas Tech

Ex-Texas A&M head coach Billy Gillespie is back in the coaching ranks after flaming out at Kentucky while assisting the Wildcats to miss the NCAA tournament for the first time in 17 years. However, he did a masterful job of turning around the programs at UTEP and Texas A&M, and Tech AD Kirby Hocutt is hoping that two tough seasons in Lexington haven’t derailed Gillespie’s mojo. The cupboard lies bare in Lubbock with only one returning starter, forward Robert Lewandowski. The Red Raiders will rely on major development from Lewandowski and Jay Crockett as well as contributions from junior college transfers.

Player to watch: Junior guard Ty Nurse. He averaged 9.1 ppg and shot 53 percent from three last year at Midland College, leading the Chaparrals to a 63-7 record in two seasons. He’s known for his leadership, game management and will be running the Red Raider show.

Oklahoma

They can’t be good at everything, right? New head coach Lon Kruger inherits a team with four returning starters, which sounds great until you remember the team won only five conference games last season, finishing with a mediocre 14-18 overall record. Kruger, hired away from UNLV, is known nationally for his ability to turn programs around, but it looks like he won’t have enough horses in the stable to make a push in the Big 12 race.

Player to watch: Junior foward Andrew Fitzgerald. The 6-foot-8-inch player ranked second on the team with 12.6 ppg and scored 15 points or more 12 times. He’ll need to channel his inner Blake Griffin on both sides of the ball if the Sooners are to land in postseason play.

Cyp-approved Cyprien says team is making progress Robert Carpenter

Stephanie Leichtle — THE BATTALION

Associate head coach Glynn Cyprien directs the Aggies in the exhibition win Thursday over Dallas Baptist, 91-55.

Pg. 4-11.09.11.indd 1

The Battalion Texas A&M associate head coach Glynn Cyprien said the No. 20 A&M men’s basketball team is progressing as a team, despite the announcement in October that head coach Billy Kennedy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Cyprien said Kennedy’s health is improving and will be ready to assume direct control again shortly.

“He’s doing better,” Cyprien said. “He’s coming around every day, in fact he came by the office last night and we met. So he’s doing much, much better.”

The 47-year-old Kennedy was hired in May from Murray State to take over for Mark Turgeon, who left to coach at Maryland.

Before coming to A&M, Cyprien was an assistant for two years at the University of Memphis. He also coached at Kentucky, Arkansas and Oklahoma State.

At the time of Kennedy’s diagnosis, A&M Athletic Director Bill Byrne said the coach’s long-term prospects with the University remain strong.

“I fully expect Billy to have a long and illustrious coaching career here in Aggieland when he is cleared to return to the court,” Byrne said. “Meanwhile, I have confidence in the staff Billy has hired and in our basketball team. I’m anxious to get the season started and to get Billy back on the basketball court as well.”

As the A&M players adjust to a new head coach and learn Kennedy’s offensive and defensive styles, Cyprien echoed Byrne’s confidence in the coaching staff.

Cyprien said this early period of trial has made the staff grow as a group and increased the program’s cohesiveness.

“This scenario, as unique as it is, has really made it easier for us to sit down and iron things out and figure out our philosophy and

the way we want to play,” Cyprien said. “All these guys have years of experience, but all bring something different to the table.”

Coming off an exhibition win against Dallas Baptist University on Thursday, 9155, in which the Aggies were in control throughout, Cyprien said the team has shown promise early but still has work to do.

“You always wish you had more time,” Cyprien said. “We want to play quicker, we want to play faster.”

Even as the team prepares for the 20112012 season, Cyprien fielded questions about A&M’s recruiting prospects. Cyprien has been touted by some as one of the elite recruiters in the nation.

“For us, we’re kind of behind the eight-ball because we took over the job late,” Cyprien said. “We’ve got to get through this period right now, with all that’s going on basketball-wise, we’ve got to get through this early signing period right now.”

11/9/11 12:54 AM

gp women’s big 12 basketball preview

page 5 wednesday 11.9.2011

thebattalion

Aggie condor 6-foot-7 Mitchell adds length to A&M Jared Baxter The Battalion With the departures of WNBA first-round draft picks Danielle Adams and Sydney Colson, Texas A&M returns this season with its third straight top-10 recruiting class in the wake of a national championship — this time with one of the tallest players in school history.

At 6-foot-7, freshman center Rachel Mitchell will be hard to miss, as the Houston native from Atascocita High School looks to make an impact in A&M’s title defense.

“Her best days are in front of her as she keeps developing her offensive skills,” said A&M head women’s basketball coach Gary Blair. “Her potential is unlimited.”

Ranked the No. 4 center in the country by ESPN Hoopgurlz and the No. 1 post player in the state of

Texas by Premier Basketball Report, Mitchell committed to A&M her sophomore year in high school — 6-foot-6 at the time — and never looked back.

“Her wingspan is somewhat similar to that of a California condor,” wrote ESPN Hoopgurlz’s Mark Lewis.

Mitchell, an attendee of A&M’s Elite Camp the past three years, said she is ready to handle the pressures that come with being a highly touted recruit.

“There is some [pressure] because people look at you a different way, so I have to set my standards high. Whatever I do and wherever I go, I know I have to represent,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell transferred to Atascocita from C.E. King High School her sophomore year, making her ineligible for varsity play as a junior due to University Interscho-

Adrian O’Hanlon III — THE BATTALION

Freshman Rachel Mitchell averaged 9.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game as a senior in high school.

High school accolades ◗ Chose the Aggies over Baylor, Texas Tech, Duke and Texas ◗ 2011 McDonald’s High School All-America Watch ◗ Two-time all-district first team selection ◗ 2007 volleyball newcomer of the year at C.E. King ◗ 2010 track district champion at Atascocita lastic League rules. Mitchell saw her first varsity action as a senior in 2010.

Coming into her first year in Aggieland, Mitchell said responsibility — the early wakeup times in particular — and conditioning are some of the things she’s been working to improve.

“I have to overcome my weaknesses like running and that’s been tough — just getting back in shape,” Mitchell said. “My junior year I didn’t get to play at all, so coming into my senior year I was just getting back into doing basketball, and I didn’t get to do a lot of working out.”

Conference Preview Adrian O’Hanlon III The Battalion The Big 12 Conference established itself as the conference-to-beat in women’s basketball in 2010.

The league sent three teams to the Sweet 16 (Baylor, Oklahoma and national champion Texas A&M) and had two 30win teams for the first time in conference history (the Aggies and Bears). Even the league’s middle-of-the-pack crowd proved tough in the postseason with seven teams making the Big Dance and three more playing in the Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT). Tension from the announced departures of A&M and Missouri cloud predictions of how this season will play out, but when the dust settles, it should be the Aggies, Bears and Sooners :

2.

Baylor

3.

Oklahoma

Mitchell credits A&M sophomore center Karla Gilbert for helping her progression thus far. Gilbert played with Mitchell on the Houston Elite Amateur Athletic Union team in high school, which allows amateur athletes to compete in many of the country’s top summer tournaments.

“When I am struggling, she’s there to help me knowing that she has a year on me,” Mitchell said. “She knows how I am, so when I came in she told me that I was going to have to work. Doing the Amateur Athletic Union, I was able to get by, but now I

can’t get by with the lazy stuff I used to do.”

Though A&M will not compete in the Southeastern Conference until 2012, Mitchell said she likes the change in opponents.

“I’m excited about it. I’m so used to being in the Big 12, so it’s a shock. I’m looking forward to playing Tennessee and LSU. I have a lot of friends going to those schools, so it’ll be fun playing against them.”

Until then, A&M fans can witness Mitchell’s low-post presence and towering athleticism as the Aggies look to defend their title.

1.

Texas A&M

4.

Kansas State

The Aggies return three starters for the first NCAA title defense in program history and head coach Gary Blair’s ninth season at the helm. Blair filled the spots left by WNBA draftees Danielle Adams and Sydney Colson with his best recruiting class to date, signing 6-7 center Rachel Mitchell (No. 12 overall prospect in the nation), guard Tori Scott (No. 23 overall) and guard Alexia Standish (No. 30 overall).

Player to watch: Senior guard Sydney Carter remains team captain, a title she has owned since first setting foot on campus, after leading an Aggie defense that forced 31 turnovers twice last season. Carter’s enacity accounted for 1.6 steals a game and a number of tipped passes leading to turnovers. She also brings an offensive presence, averaging 10.4 points and 3 assists per game, to display her complete skill set.

Head coach Kim Mulkey’s Bears enter the season atop both the AP and Coaches polls, returning four starters from last season’s Elite Eight squad. Junior center Brittney Griner is a force to be reckoned with, averaging 23 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game last season en route to a 2012 All-America selection.

Player to watch: Everyone knows 6-8 junior Brittney Griner dominates the paint, but sophomore Odyssey Sims is an electrifying point guard that can destroy teams from outside. Sims averaged 13.1 points per game as a freshman last season, earning her a spot on the Women’s Wooden Award Preseason Top 30. She also took her talents to the 2011 World University Games in Shenzhen, China, this summer to help Team USA win a gold medal.

With Sweet 16 appearance in the 2011 NCAA Tournament, the Sooners enter the season ranked No. 15 with aspirations of a conference title. OU returns an experienced squad of tenacious defenders, gargantuan post players and a speedy scorer.

Player to watch: Sophomore guard Aaryn Ellenberg proves that size doesn’t matter. The 5-7 guard knows how to get to the rim and can fill it up from anywhere. Ellenberg averaged 16.2 points a game last season and set the OU record for threes made in a single season with 94. She can be a streaky shooter at a little less than 40 percent from both sides of the threepoint line, but puts the ball in the hole.

Winners of the Big 12 title in 2004 and 2008, the Wildcats are usually in the hunt at the end of the regular season. This year K-State has five seniors to shoulder the load, looking to prove experience is key in advancing past the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Player to watch: Junior Brittany Chambers quickly asserted herself as the team leader last season, going on to lead the team in scoring with 16.1 points per game. Her leadership will be crucial if KSU is to emerge from the middle of the league.

5.

6.

7.

Iowa State

Texas

Texas Tech

The Cyclones return an experienced squad that was upset in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last season. Big post presence and chippy defense on the wings characterized ISU last year and will emerge from a thick middle of the pack.

Player to watch: Junior forward Anna Prins had 5 double-doubles last season, going for 9.9 points and 5.5 boards per game. Her 6-7 frame makes her tough to defend in the post and the first to reach a rebound.

The Longhorns come into the season ranked No. 24 with four starters from a 2010-11 team that lost a close one to Marquette in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Texas returns its top scorer, Chassidy Fussell, but loses its top rebounder, Kathleen Nash, making for an interesting year.

Player to watch: Last season, sophomore guard Chassidy Fussell was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team and the All-Big 12 freshman team, leading the horns in scoring with 16.2 points per game. Her aggressive style of play clashes with A&M’s defensive mindset and earns immediate respect.

Returning three starters from yet another Big 12 team to make the 2010-11 NCAA Tournament, the Red Raiders received votes in this year’s preseason AP poll. Tech will be on the outside looking in as the talented Big 12 pack that crowded the middle of the standings will separate this season.

Player to watch: Senior forward Kierra Mallard experimented with three-point shooting last year but will most likely retain her dominance in the lane. She averaged 12 points and 7.2 boards a game last season and racked up seven double-doubles.

8. Oklahoma State

9.

10.

The Cowgirls lost in the second round of the 2011 Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) after losing its top-two scorers from the previous season. This year OSU looks to improve with a young squad returning for another shot at the big dance.

Player to watch: Junior forward Toni Young averaged 15.5 points and 9.1 boards per game last season, earning her a spot on this year’s preseason All-Big 12 team. Young is one of the most versatile players in the league as she earned 14 double-doubles last season, well for second best in the Big 12. She also holds the school record for rebounds in a game (22) and won a dunk contest as a senior in high school.

Pg. 5-11.09.11.indd 1

Kansas

The Jayhawks finished with a 21-13 record in 2010-11 and have four upperclassmen to bring up a talented freshman class. Good start. KU also has to contend with the defending national champions and another potential No. 1 seed in Baylor.

Player to watch: Last year’s Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, junior forward Carolyn Davis enters the season on the preseason watch list for the Wooden Award. Davis gave teams fits last year, averaging 19 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, all while shooting 66 percent from the field.

Missouri

The Tigers finished near the bottom of the conference at the end of every season since last making the NCAA Tournament in 2006. Mizzou returns three starters and loses its top scorer from last season so improving from tenth place will prove difficult.

Player to watch: Senior center Christine Flores is a force in the paint. The San Antonio product locked down the post last season, averaging 13 points and 6.1 boards per game. She also was one of 11 college athletes who played for Team USA in the Pan American Games in late October. Talk about world class.

11/9/11 12:45 AM

basketball preview

page 6 wednesday 11.9.2011

thebattalion

Stephanie Leichtle — THE BATTALION

Senior captains Sydney Carter and Dash Harris return for the 2011-2012 season.

Keeping guard Carter, Harris lead by example Austin Meek The Battalion Seniors. Captains. Guards. Just about the only thing Dash Harris and Sydney Carter don’t have in common is that she’s got a championship ring on her finger and, for now, he does not.

Carter, a cog in the Texas A&M women’s basketball team’s title run in 2010-11, is known for her enthusiasm, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The DeSoto, Texas, product was named a member of the 2011 All-Big 12 team and earned head coach Gary Blair’s “Miss Defense” award for the second straight season.

“My effort and hard work really rubs off on people and they see, ‘well she’s playing hard and she’s working hard and look where she’s got,’” Carter said. “I think that kind of motivates everybody else to want to do the same thing.”

Harris, A&M’s speedy point guard who’s considered a defensive stopper, said three seasons of maturation have changed the way he approaches the game.

“The biggest difference is that I can’t take any days off in practice,” Harris said. “I can’t show any signs of fatigue to my teammates.

I can’t stop or sit down in any drills because my teammates are always looking at me as the example.”

Harris said he’d been looked to as a team leader since his freshman year. Carter, on the other hand, said she leaned on her former teammates Sydney Colson and Danielle Adams for leadership last year and knows this season the onus falls to her.

“This year is a little more challenging for me because I’ve never had to be the sole, verbal leader,” Carter said. “I’ve always had Sydney to be there for me, but now I have to fill her shoes in the verbal role. It’s going to be a challenge for me this year.”

Rather than following Colson and Adams to the WNBA, Carter elected to return to Aggieland for her senior season. She is a main reason why Blair’s squad is ranked preseasonNo. 6 — the highest in the program’s history.

The Aggies return three starters and 10 letter winners from its 2010-11 squad that finished with a program-best 33-5 overall record. Carter contributed in wins against Baylor, Stanford and Notre Dame in its final three games en route to the first national championship in program history.

The No. 19 men’s team received some tough news when first-year head coach Billy Kennedy revealed that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Athletic director Bill Byrne voiced his concern shortly afterward, saying that the collective strength of the Aggie family would be backing Kennedy 100 percent.

Harris said he is looking forward to a season with Kennedy on the sideline. “[Kennedy] left this team in great hands,” Harris said. “We have great leadership to a man on this team and on this staff, and everyone knows what he expects, so once he comes back it’ll be a smooth ride.”

Carter and Harris said they will be looked to from all angles for direction and motivation. They have even adopted the same mantra for the squads they lead: play tough and win.

“We definitely want to be tough,” Harris said. “We’ve all been in the weight room this summer and we just want to be more physical and a tougher team.

“That’s our main goal this year — to win.”

The ladies figured it out last year, and both teams are looking for success this season. Harris and Carter keep an eye on each other’s teams and hold each other accountable, making sure they’re pushing their squads and leading by example — after all, that is what captains do.

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11/8/11 10:06 PM

news

page 7 wednesday 11.9.2011

thebattalion

A&M-Baylor set for match in Waco Courtney Nelson

Michael Dror

The Battalion After suffering a heartbreaking loss against Kansas State on Saturday, the Aggie volleyball team hopes to get back in the win column against Baylor at 7 p.m.

Wednesday in Waco.

“Saturday was a pretty hard hit but we came back really focused for practice this week,” junior outside hitter Tori Mellinger said. “It was a missed opportunity and we’re not willing to let another one pass us by. They are a lot like us, and they are going to put up a fight. They have incredible defense, so it will be a tough match because we both play a very similar game.”

A&M (18-6, 7-4 Big 12) narrowly defeated Baylor earlier this season.

The Bears (17-10, 4-7 Big 12) are coming off a loss against Missouri and will look to redeem themselves at home against the Aggies, where they are 9-2 this season.

“We never expect anything but the best from Baylor, and we get very excited to play them,” A&M head coach Laurie Corbelli said.

“They are very experienced and effective in the middle which poses quite a lot of issues because it is tough to defend. It appears they have made a couple of personnel changes that have given them more power coming from the right side. Being on the road is usually an advantage to the home team. We’ve got a tough match ahead of us.”

The last four matches between the teams have gone to five games, including the Aggies’ 3-2 win earlier in the season in College Station.

In their first meeting this year, A&M senior Kelsey Black had the edge against former high-school teammate and Baylor star Torri Campbell. Black swung for a game-high 17 kills and a .289 hitting percentage compared to Campbell’s .034 clip and four kills.

The Aggies performed much better than the Bears offensively, posting 72 team kills while Baylor tallied 45.

Five A&M players had double-digit kills in the match, as A&M hit .262 overall.

Junior middle blocker Lindsey Miller and senior Elise Hendrickson played big roles at the net, as the Aggies put up 11 blocks. Baylor, who averages 2.1 per set, recorded only seven in the match.

“I think our blocking is going to be incredibly important,” Corbelli said. “We can’t give up easy points at the net, and we have to really fight hard to present the best team defense we can. Then we are a whole lot more successful in our transition game.”

Baylor is a consistent team with the ability to record kills across the board. Campbell and Adri Nora lead the team with 2.78 kills per game each, with Briana Tolbert pitching in 2.77 of her own.

Baylor senior Allison King was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week for her performance last week and averages a steady 5.15 digs per set.

Black continues to pace the Aggies with 3.36 kills per set, with big help coming from juniors Miller and Alisia Kastmo with 2.68 and 2.60, respectively.

“You can learn a lot from a loss like that, and I know they’re already working hard to fix whatever needs to be fixed,” sophomore kinesiology major Allison Garrett said. “I think they’ll bounce back and finish up conference really strong.”

Pg. 7-11.09.11.indd 1

‘Diversi-Tees’ promote tolerance on campus

Roger Zhang — THE BATTALION

Senior hitter Kelsey Black serves against Texas Tech on Nov. 2 at Reed arena.

The Battalion In what has become an annual tradition at A&M, residence hall members and volunteers will promote diversity Wednesday while ensuring that Aggies are clothed in tolerance — and free T-shirts.

“Nine years ago, students on campus wanted to distribute the ‘Gay? Fine by me’ shirts that had made appearances on campuses nationwide,” Karina Ogunlana, junior sociology major said. “However, the University didn’t approve, so the [Residence Hall Association] stepped

in to promote the initiative with our very own ‘diversitees,’ which feature a design promoting all the different classifications, races and subgroups that make up the Aggie student body.”

Since the “diversi-tee” project’s creation, the Residence Hall Association has distributed shirts to A&M students seeking to promote the project, which has grown every year, and this year’s production of 2,700 shirts will be the largest todate. Funded by community donations and money set aside by Residence Hall Association, the shirts are free for students.

Hannah Ehrenfeld, se-

Free clothes A&M students can claim their own shirt beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday on the West side of Academic Plaza nior genetics major, said she is excited to add to the “diversi-tee” collection she started last year and to help increase the recognition of all kinds of Aggies oncampus.

“I think the [Residence Hall Association] effort is pretty important considering we’re one of the most conservative universities in the nation. So bringing consciousness to diversity

is very important,” Ehrenfeld said.

Members are excited to presenting this year’s crossword-themed design to students. Kristin Prather, senior recreation, parks and tourism sciences major, designed last year’s iconic “Gig ’em” diversity shirt as well as the fall 2011 version.

“I think diversity at A&M is very important,” Prather said. “The University as a whole will be more productive when everyone is open-minded to the differences of others, and I think everyone would enjoy the ability to live and learn in an inclusive environment.”

11/9/11 12:55 AM

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psst...

2011 Aggieland yearbooks are here.

IF YOU did not order the 2011 Texas A&M University yearbook (the 2010-2011 school year), a limited number are available at the Student Media office, Bldg. #8901 in The Grove (between Albritton Bell Tower and Cain Hall). Hours: 8:30 A.M.–4:30 P.M. Monday–Friday. $85 plus tax. Cash, check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express accepted.

IF YOU pre-ordered a 2011 Aggieland, it has been mailed to your billing address.

puzzle answers can be found online at www.thebatt.com

If You Have Something To Sell, Remember Classifieds Can Do It! Call 845-0569

the battalion

AggieNetwork.com

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basketball preview

page 9 wednesday 11.9.2011

thebattalion

Teeing off for charity Adrian O’Hanlon III The Battalion Email and text messages flooded the inbox of Texas A&M head coach Gary Blair after leading the Aggie women to the first title in program history in April.

The 65-year-old coach who learned to text just in the past season said he has responded one finger peck at a time on his iPad2.

“If someone’s going to send me a text, I owe it to them to send a text back,” Blair said.

Blair might be new to texting but his charity work in the community is somewhat of a tradition.

Blair became involved with Special Olympics as a head coach at Sam Houston State where he coached from 1985 to 1993. Coaches passed out medals to athletes, which Blair said hooked him with their enthusiasm for basketball.

When he took over as head coach at Arkansas in 1993, Blair became involved with a golf tournament raising funds for the Special Olympics.

In 2003, Blair was named head coach at A&M and he said his top-priority was establishing a similar golf event. He set up the Coach Gary Blair Celebrity Golf Classic to benefit Special Olympics Texas and other charities.

The golf classic is every spring at Traditions Club in Bryan, Texas, with several four-player teams playing with a celebrity coach in scramble format. Blair said the event took off after establishing Coach Gary Blair

Josh McKenna — THE BATTALION

Head coach Gary Blair showcases photos from two previous celebrity golf tournaments.

Charities because it was easier to designate the proceeds to more organizations.

Money generated by the golf tournament comes from team fees, sponsorships and donations at the event’s dinner and silent auction. Erich Birch, A&M women’s director of basketball operations, said the proceeds are distributed across several organizations.

“The majority of that money goes to Special Olympics, some of it goes to corporate office to take care of area six which incorporates us, the surrounding College Station area and some of Houston. The main reason we started it was to take care of the local area teams, which there’s three in Bryan-College Station.”

Birch has served as Blair’s director of basketball operations since Blair arrived in 2003. He said Blair has played an integral role in bringing fans in to the events sponsored by the charity group.

“We have people come back year after year and people talk about it all year so we’ve had a great response to it,” Birch said. “They love

how involved coach Blair is, and he’ll have the athletes come out and participate on the day of the event.”

Birch said when the team won the title in April, it left two months to put together the golf classic. Although the turnaround was rough, he said the end product was rewarding.

“It’s hard to devote all your time to a tournament till it is over, but when you see those Olympians come out the night before and they’re just having a great time and they’re high on life… that’s just rewarding,” Birch said.

He said the charity also makes donations to other community-promoting organizations including Basketball Smiles and Project Unity.

Ashley Lecheler, senior applied mathematical science major, said Blair’s work in the community is representative of A&M’s core values.

“To me, it says he cares about the community and people in general,” Lecheler said. “I think it shows a lot about his character to have started [the charity events] before he won the title.”

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