Preview/GameThread: #20 Texas A&M vs. Vanderbilt

Good morning, Ags.

We're on the doorstep of a conference title in a major revenue sport, and a situation like this calls for the best hype man in our midst.

<turns on the comically oversized @stringsays batsignal>

WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL WE DIDNT HAVE NO WIN THIS AND WE WIN THE CONFERENCE GAMES. WE HAD SEASONS WHERE GETTING 10 DAMN WINS WAS AN ACCOMPLISHMENT. BIGGEST DAMN GAME OF THE SEASON TOMORROW

BUT MOREOVER WE ARE IN NEED OF REVENGE. AND REVENGE IS BEST SERVED AT HOME BY A MAN WITH A MUSTACHE (LOOKIN AT YOU ACFRESH). SO COME ADORE (SEE WHAT I DID THERE) YOUR MFING FIRE PISSING FIGHTIN TEXAS AGGIES AS THEY BEAT THE HELL OUTTA VANDY

LETS GET THIS ONE. LETS DO THIS.

Thanks, string.

You heard the man. Let's do this.

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Can we move this game to Mississippi?

Vanderbilt has been on an absolute tear, losing only at Ole Miss and at Mississippi State dating back to January 30th. That's good for 7-2 over their last nine, with an average margin of victory of 16.5 points over those seven wins.

Pretty damn impressive.

This squad was picked to finish 2nd in the preseason SEC poll for a reason, and they are finally rounding into form. Overall, the two teams are 9-1 in their last ten games.

This is going to be an absolute dogfight.

Sometimes you gotta man up

In our initial matchup, Vandy destroyed our zone defense. Absolutely destroyed it. Thirteen made threes en route to an easy seventeen point victory at home.

That can't happen again.

The Commodores have three players (Roberson, Fisher-Davis, Baldwin) among the top five in SEC 3PT percentage, and each is shooting over 44% on the year. We have to play the 'Dores straight up and take our chances.

If Vanderbilt gets hot from deep, they can absolutely win this game. Let's not play in a defensive shell that encourages that approach.

Can the offense stay hot?

Our offense has finally started to run as designed over the past couple of games. That may have had something to do with the opponents, sure, but it was a nice reminder of how efficient we can be.

Feed the ball to Davis down low. Get Jones and House involved early. Empower Caruso and Collins and Trocha to launch threes when tested. Continue to give Gilder and Hogg the green light off the bench. And above all else... hit some dang free throws.

If we do those things, it won't matter how Vandy shoots. The crowd, the atmosphere, and the overall moment will carry the day. If the team gets us most of the way, the home court advantage will bring it home.

We'll get it done.

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Alright, y'all... we're a bundle of nerves. Grab your favorite beverage of choice and settle in. We'll see you on the other side.

BTHO Vanderbilt