Aggie Hoops Roundup

Happy Friday, everyone!

POLLS ARE NEVER TOO EARLY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY HAVE NICE THINGS TO SAY. Our friends at Yahoo! ranked Texas A&M #22 in the Way-too-early top 25 for the 2017-18 college basketball season.

22. TEXAS A&M

Key losses: G J.C. Hampton, F Tavario Miller

Key returners: F Robert Williams, F D.J. Hogg, G Admon Gilder, F Tyler Davis, F Tonny Trocha-Morelos, G J.J. Caldwell

Notable newcomers: G Duane Wilson, G Savion Flagg, G D.J. Starks, G Jay Jay Chandler

Outlook: The Aggies, like TCU, could be a sneaky surprise pick. They not only more or less have all five starters returning; they have a player, Williams, who would have been a first-round pack had he declared for the draft. They will also get much improved play at point guard from the combo of Caldwell, who was ruled ineligible last season, and Wilson, a graduate transfer from Marquette. A&M underachieved in 2016-17, but could have a big bounce-back year in 2017-18.

The season is still 7+ months away, so act accordingly. Aka, go ahead and order those Final Four tickets.

TRANSFERS TRANSFERS, EVERYWHERE. Days after Marquette graduate transfer Duane Wilson picked Texas A&M, the good guys announced a ‘traditional’ transfer (i.e., he’ll have to sit out a year) from Saint Francis forward Josh Nebo.

Nebo was a high school teammate of Kentucky standout De’Aaron Fox, and he set the Saint Francis career blocks record (145) in only two years at the school.

With this news, A&M appears well-positioned to recover from the almost certain departure of Robert Williams at the end of next season.

BUT WAIT HOW DO WE MAKE ROOM FOR THESE GUYS. With more transfers, of course.

There’s no doubt that A&M has more churn than the average program, but I can’t see either of these moves coming back to bite us. Eubanks never looked the same after his shin injury prior to his arrival on campus, and Smith never really challenged for PG minutes on a team that sorely needed the help.

We wish both guys the best of luck moving forward.

NBA D-LEAGUE UPDATE. Two old friends are tearing things up in the D League.

First, Alex Caruso is on the shortlist for Defensive Player of the Year.

And second, Jalen Jones is killing it for the Maine Red Claws en route to some MVP and Rookie of the Year mentions.

Congrats on a solid first season in the pros, guys. Best of luck chasing the dream.

FINALLY, THE END OF YEAR TEAM AWARDS ARE OUT. And you’ll never guess who won the thing. (you probably will)

• Most Outstanding Player: Admon Gilder
• Chris Walker Hustle Award: Tyler Davis
• Newcomer of the Year: Robert Williams
• Daniels Scoates Garner Scholar Athlete Award: Tonny Trocha-Morelos
• Unsung Hero Award & Strength and Conditioning Award: Tavario Miller

Have a fun and safe weekend, y’all.