Billy Kennedy and the Aggies (11-5, 0-4 SEC) were ranked as high as No. 5 two weeks ago, but a four-game skid to begin SEC play has Texas A&M in a tough spot heading into Knoxville this weekend.
The Aggies boast ranked wins over West Virginia at a neutral site and at USC from their non-conference slate. They also picked up wins over Penn State and Oklahoma State at the Legends Classic in Brooklyn, while their only other loss this season came against Arizona. In the last two games, Texas A&M lost by just one point, with LSU hitting a contested, NBA-range 3-pointer as time expired and a turnover in the final seconds costing them a win in Rupp Arena against Kentucky on Tuesday night.
A&M was picked to finish third in the SEC for a reason, boasting a very experienced and talented roster. Preseason first-team All-SEC selection Robert Williams (8.7 ppg, 9.8 rpg) struggled early in the season, missing five games already because injuries. However, the 6-10 forward has averaged 12.7 ppg and 9.0 rpg over his last three outings.
With Williams out, 6-10 center Tyler Davis stepped in as A&M's top player, averaging 14.6 ppg on 61 percent shooting, 8.2 rpg, 1.6 apg and 1.4 bpg. The preseason second-team All-SEC selection has also posted five double-doubles on the year while being the only Aggie to start every game.
Despite missing three game, small forward D.J. Hogg has been the best all-around player for Texas A&M, tallying 14.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.2 spg and 1.1 bpg in 32 minutes of action per game to earn him a spot on the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award Watch List.
Admon Gilder (12.8 ppg) and Duane Wilson (12.1 ppg) round out the double-digit scorers for A&M on the season. Gilder missed nearly a month of action before returning to post 14 points against Kentucky, while Wilson has missed the last three contests because of injury.