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How did Gonzaga prepare for their first real test against the Aggies in the Lone Star State? They beat up on Alabama State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and North Dakota by an average of 34 points. But that was all just a warm up for the Zags as they now have to turn around and get ready for their first power conference opponent in Texas A&M from the SEC. Last year, Gonzaga took care of the Aggies at the McCarthey Athletic Center with a final score of 94-71. This year, it will be a homecoming for Admon Gilder as he tries to lead the Zags to another victory over his alma mater (the grad transfer played three seasons at Texas A&M from 2015-2018).
Texas A&M Aggies (2-0)
Buzz Williams has brought a new sense of excitement to Texas A&M in his first season at the helm. After a successful career at Virginia Tech, he looks to translate his winning ways from Blacksburg to College Station. The SEC will be very competitive this season so if the Aggies can finish in the upper half of that conference, Buzz could be bringing Texas A&M back to March Madness after a one-year hiatus.
Wins - Northwestern State, UL Monroe
Losses - none
KenPom Ranking - #68
Player to Watch For:
Savion Flagg, Junior - 13.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.5 BPG, 1.5 SPG, 61.1 FG%
The 6’8” forward will, once again, be the leader for the Aggies. Flagg led the team in scoring and rebounding last season. He will be the most dependable player for Buzz. Flagg has a high basketball IQ and is a versatile player with great vision for his size.
Game Time:
#8 Gonzaga @ Texas A&M - 9:00 PM ET, SECN on Friday, November 15th
Score Prediction:
85-77, Bulldogs over Aggies
Gonzaga has a balanced scoring attack right now with five Zags averaging over 10 points per game (Petrusev - 19.7, Kispert - 19.3, Timme - 14.0, Gilder - 12.3, Watson - 11.3). It will end up being too much of an offensive attack for the Aggies to overcome and the Bulldogs should be on their way to a fourth straight victory to open up the season. The Zags were getting easy buckets inside the paint against North Dakota but don’t be expecting that with a much bigger/longer Texas A&M team standing in their way.
*Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area... Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho