Texas A&M, under second-year coach Bucky McMillan, is 4-0 on the year after Thursday’s 88-69 win over a solid Oklahoma State team, as the Aggies led by double digits in the second half and held the visitors to 30% from the field and 20% from the 3-point range. While transfer guard PJ Haggerty led the way with 22 points, freshman center Josh Irving stole the show early.
A former five-star prospect with NBA potential, Irving recorded a career-high 12 points and 10 rebounds, combined with a steal, a block, and two assists. With transfer forward Cade Phillips sidelined for three to four weeks, Irving will need to keep picking up the slack in the frontcourt, while the Aggies’ guard rotation is deep enough to keep leading the scoring.
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Texas A&M’s non-conference schedule isn’t challenging on paper, though Oklahoma State served as the first test, followed by matchups against TCU on the road, Xavier, and Marquette later this month, then Stanford in early December.
After watching the Aggies dominate the Cowboys in every facet of the game, several national media members, including Basket Under Review writer Brian Rauf, are taking notice.
“This is a really good Texas A&M team. Shooters everywhere, experienced roster, good with defensive rotations and at forcing turnovers.
Feels like the Aggies are being slept on.”
PJ Haggerty is on track to lead the Aggies in scoring, as expected after signing with the program, but Texas transfer guard Jordan Pope is equally important, paired with veteran guard Rylan Griffin, whose TRO will keep him active until further notice.
The rise of Josh Irving and senior forward Mackenzie Mgbako’s continued improvement make a once-weak frontcourt a strength after four games. It’s fair to say that Texas A&M has plenty more to prove, but in full agreement with Brian Rauf, this team will continue to be slept on before SEC play begins.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M is ‘being slept on’ after dominant win over Oklahoma State
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