Big 12 Foes Collide in College Station: Kansas St at Texas A&M

Kansas St Wildcats at Texas A&M Aggies, Reed Arena, College Station, TX
Saturday, January 22, 2011, 2:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Opening Line: Texas A&M -5
Current Line: Texas A&M -5 1/2
Opening Total: 134
Current Total: 135
Money Line: TAMU -240 / Kansas St +200

Jacob Pullen and the Kansas St Wildcats travel to College Station in a crucial Big 12 matchup with the Texas A&M Aggies. The Aggies are 5 1/2 point favorites at home.

Kansas St had sky-high expectations after returning most of the their rotation from a team that lost in the Elite 8 last year to Butler. At one point, they were number 3 in the country, but injuries and suspensions have derailed what was to be a dream season for the Wildcats. Kansas St is 13-6 and 1-3 in Big 12 play. They are ranked #25 in the ESPN coaches’ poll and not even ranked in the AP. It doesn’t get any easier as the Wildcats travel to College Station to take on the #10 ranked Texas A&M Aggies. Texas A&M is 16-2 overall and 3-1 in conference. The Aggies had a 13 game winning streak snapped Wednesday night at arch-rival Texas 81-60. Kansas St has losses to Duke, Florida, UNLV, Oklahoma St, Colorado, and Missouri. Kansas St lost at Missouri Monday afternoon 75-59. The Wildcats have wins over Virginia Tech, Gonzaga, Washington St, and Texas Tech on the season. Texas A&M’s only other loss is to Boston College. The Aggies have wins over Temple, Washington, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St, and Missouri. Kansas St leads the overall series between the schools 15-6, but are only 2-5 at Texas A&M. Kansas St has won and covered the last two times they played Texas A&M. Kansas St has won four straight games in the state of Texas dating back to 2009. The Wildcats are 0-6 ATS after scoring 60 points or fewer in the previous game the last 2 years. Texas A&M is 7-0 ATS in the last two years in the same scenario. The Aggies are 25-14 ATS in all games the last two years.

Kansas St forward Freddy Asprilla left the team last week for personal reasons. He was averaging 4.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and was the team leader in blocks per game with 1.1. He played around 17 minutes a game. The Wildcats are led by star guard Jacob Pullen who was suspended 3 games earlier in the season for accepting improper benefits from a local department store. Forward Curtis Kelly was suspended for 6 games for the same infraction. He also missed the first three games of the year due to injury. Pullen is averaging 17.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.7 steals a game. He leads the team in scoring, assists, and steals. Kelly is averaging 9.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1 block a game. Guard Rodney McGruder is averaging 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds to lead the team, and 1.7 assists a game. McGruder is on 6’4″ making it it impressive how many rebounds he grabs. He also shoots 41.7% from 3-point range. Forward Jamar Samuels averages 10.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists a game. Kansas St is outscoring opponents 75-65 on the season. The Wildcats shoot 44.2% from the field and 37.4% from 3-point range. Kansas St opponents shoot 40.6% from the field. Part of the reason for the Wildcats’ struggles this season is they are awful from the free throw line, making only 59.4% of their free throws. The Wildcats average 41.2 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +9.7. The Wildcats average 15.1 assists and 16.1 turnovers a game. The Wildcats force 16.4 turnovers a game on defense. K-State averages 6.4 steals and 4.6 blocks a game.

Texas A&M has no significant injuries right now. The Aggies are led by forward Khris Middleston who averages 15.8 points to lead the team, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 steals a game which is tied for the team lead. Forward David Loubeau averages 11.2 points, and 5.2 rebounds a game. Forward Nathan Walkup averages 10.4 points, 5.8 rebounds to lead the team, and 1.3 assists a game. B.J. Holmes averages 9.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 steals a game. Dash Harris leads the team in assists with 3.7 a game. Texas A&M is outscoring opponents 73-59 on the season. The Aggies are shooting 45.5% from the field and 35.3% from 3-point range. The Aggies are holding opponents to 39.8% shooting from the field. A&M makes 72.3% of their free throws. The Aggies average 38.7 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +10.6. They average 14.9 assists and 13.1 turnovers a game. They force 14.2 turnovers a game on defense. A&M averages 6.6 steals and 1.8 blocks a game.

Make no mistake, despite their ordinary record, Kansas St is still a dangerous team. They do tend to turn the ball over, but they also force a lot of turnovers on defense. Kansas St’s poor free throw shooting could hurt them if the game is close. Texas A&m is tough at home. They are 11-0 this season at home and have won 29 out their last 30. Kansas St won there in 2009. Both teams need this game but if Kansas St loses they will be 1-4 in conference, and will be 3.5 games behind the winner of the showdown between Kansas and Texas later today. That is a pretty deep hole to overcome.