Preview: Texas A&M vs. Texas Southern

Time: Saturday at 2:30pm

Place: Reed Arena

TV: SEC Network+

Advanced Metrics via KenPom: Texas A&M has a 93% chance to win

Results of Note

Like many of their SWAC brethren, Texas Southern spent nearly the entire non-conference season on the road. Unlike their SWAC brethren, they grabbed road wins at Baylor and Oregon.

They have plenty of bad losses mixed in, as well. But there’s clearly a ceiling here that causes some concern.

Things to Watch

We found someone who shoots worse than we do! It took twelve games, but we did it. The Tigers rank near the bottom of D1 in a host of important shooting categories, and they are almost as bad defending the perimeter and protecting the rim.

But like we said, this program clearly has a ceiling capable of wrecking people on the road.

That starts with Jalyn Patterson, the transfer by way of LSU. He had 23 points and 6 assists in the win over Baylor, and he had 13 points and 11 assists in the win at Oregon. He’s got range for days, and he’s a killer (86%) at the line.

Down low, they are anchored by 7-2 center Trayvon Reed. He’s very good on the defensive glass, can finish around the basket, and protects the rim well enough. He has virtually no interior defensive help, however, and we should feast down low when he’s not in the game.

Overall Thoughts

These guys have talent, but they don’t have depth, and that’s where we should pull away. Our bench has been blowing games open against the opposition’s second unit, and I expect that to continue tomorrow.

BTHO Texas Southern