2007–08 Texas A&M Aggies men's basketball team

2007–08 Texas A&M Aggies men's basketball
2007–08 NIT Season Tip-Off Champions
NCAA Second Round vs. UCLA, L 49–51
Conference Big 12 Conference South
2007–08 record 25–11 (8–8 Big 12)
Head coach Mark Turgeon
Assistant coach Scott Spinelli
Assistant coach Pooh Williamson
Assistant coach Byron Smith
Home arena Reed Arena
2007–08 Big 12 Men's Basketball Standings
  Conf Overall
Team (Rank) W L PCT W L PCT
Kansas (#4) † 13 3 .813 37 3 .925
Texas (#7) 13 3 .813 31 7 .816
Kansas State 10 6 .625 21 12 .636
Oklahoma 9 7 .563 23 12 .657
Baylor 9 7 .563 21 11 .656
Texas A&M 8 8 .500 25 11 .694
Nebraska 7 9 .438 20 13 .606
Texas Tech 7 9 .438 16 15 .516
Oklahoma State 7 9 .438 17 16 .515
Missouri 6 10 .375 16 16 .500
Iowa State 4 12 .250 14 18 .438
Colorado 3 13 .188 12 20 .375
† Big 12 Tournament winner

The 2007–08 Texas A&M Aggies men's basketball team represents Texas A&M University in the 2007–08 college basketball season. The team is led by first-year head coach Mark Turgeon, who replaced Billy Gillispie in April 2007. In 2006–07, the Aggies finished 27–7 (13–3 in the Big 12), advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen, and finished 9th in the final AP Poll — their first top 25 finish since the 1979–80 season.

The 2007–08 team won the NIT Season Tip-Off tournament. The 98–54 home win against Texas Tech matched the Aggies' largest margin of victory set in 1959 against Texas.[1]

Leading into the season

Summer games

Six Aggie players participated in summer games during the summer prior to the start of the season. Junior Josh Carter participated in the Kobe Bryant Skills Academy in late June, and tried out for the Team USA basketball team for the 2007 Pan American Games. Though Carter was one of the 14 finalists to play for the team, he was one of the two who got eliminated. He later joined Athletes in Action to play several games in Australia. Incoming freshmen B.J. Holmes, DeAndre Jordan, and Nathan Walkup participated in the Global Games in Dallas in June. Jordan later joined Team USA for the under-19 world championship game in Serbia, where the team lost in the gold medal game. Sophomore Donald Sloan played for a different Athletes in Action team in the William Jones Cup in July. Sloan's team finished with a 5–4 record and tied for third place. Sophomore Bryan Davis played for the East Coast All-Stars, who went on a 10-day tour in Belgium and Holland in August. Against the Dutch national team, Davis scored 16 points and made 11 rebounds. Davis' team finished with a 3–4 record.[2]

Rankings

The preseason Big 12 Coaches' Poll picked the Aggies to finish third.[3] The preseason Coaches Poll ranked the Aggies 14th, tied with the Gonzaga Bulldogs, and the preseason AP Poll ranked the Aggies 16th.[4] ESPN columnist Andy Katz ranked the Aggies 17th in his "pre-preseason" top 25 rankings.[5]

Preseason honors

Joseph Jones was named to the Wooden Award preseason top 50 list,[6] and the preseason all-Big 12 team.[7] Though Jones declared for the NBA Draft in the summer, he withdrew himself prior to the deadline and decided to continue playing for the Aggies his senior season.[2] Josh Carter was the 2007 NCAA leader in 3 point accuracy and currently holds the Big 12 record for career accuracy. Dominique Kirk is a Defensive All-American.[8]

Recruiting

Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Denzell Bowles
PF		 Virginia Beach, VA Kempsville 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) May 16, 2007 
Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
B.J. Holmes
PG		 Houston, TX Hastings 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 160 lb (73 kg) Jul 31, 2006 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 85
DeAndre Jordan
C		 Houston, TX Christian Life Center 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 240 lb (110 kg) Jul 27, 2006 
Scout:5/5 stars   Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 91
Derrek Lewis
SG		 Tulsa, OK Union 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 197 lb (89 kg) Jul 5, 2005 
Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Nathan Walkup
SF		 Deer Park, TX Deer Park 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 185 lb (84 kg) May 4, 2006 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 26
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

Players

Honors

Roster

NameNumberPositionHeightWeight*YearHometown
Davis, Bryan 0 F/C 6–9 250 So.-1L Dallas, Texas
Lewis, Derreck 2 G 6–5 197 Fr. Tulsa, Oklahoma
Roland, Derrick 3 G 6–4 190 So.-1L Dallas, Texas
Graham, Bryson 5 G 6–3 190 Jr.-1L San Antonio, Texas
Bowles, Denzel 10 F/C 6–10 250 Fr.-HS Virginia Beach, Virginia
Holmes, B.J. 11 G 6–0 175 Fr.-HS Houston, Texas
Jordan, DeAndre 12 C 7–0 255 Fr.-HS Houston, Texas
Darko, Andrew 14 G 6–0 165 Fr. Conroe, Texas
Sloan, Donald 15 G 6–3 205 So.-1L Dallas, Texas
Kirk, Dominique 22 G 6–4 185 Sr.-3L Dallas, Texas
Carter, Josh 23 F 6–7 200 Jr.-2L Dallas, Texas
Schepel, Shawn 24 G 6–3 200 Fr. Dallas, Texas
Jones, Joseph 30 F 6–9 255 Sr.-3L Normangee, Texas
Chapman, Chris 31 G 5–11 170 So. Houston, Texas
Muhlbach, Beau 32 G/F 6–5 205 Sr.-2L Lufkin, Texas
Elonu, Chinemelu 41 F/C 6–10 235 So.-1L Houston, Texas
Walkup, Nathan 45 F 6–6 195 Fr.-HS Houston, Texas
Carrell, Marshall 50 F 6–8 200 Fr. Paris, Texas

Information from 2007–08 roster and,[14] subject to change.

Schedule

Date Rank# Opponent# Result Record Site (Attendance)
Exhibition
11/01/2007 #16 Emporia State W 85–73  0–0 Reed Arena (8,521[15])
11/05/2007 #16 Tarleton State W 71–62  0–0 Reed Arena (8,224[16])
Regular season
11/09/2007* #16 McNeese State W 73–50  1–0 Reed Arena (9,276[17])
11/13/2007* #15 Oral Roberts
(NIT Season Tip-Off)		 W 67–53  2–0 Reed Arena (8,442[18])
11/14/2007* #15 UTEP
(NIT Season Tip-Off)		 W 81–76  3–0 Reed Arena (8,429[19])
11/17/2007* #15 Ouachita Baptist W 85–59  4–0 Reed Arena (8,237[20])
11/21/2007* #16 vs. Washington
(NIT Season Tip-Off)		 W 77–63  5–0 Madison Square Garden (N/A)
11/23/2007* #16 vs. Ohio State
(NIT Season Tip-Off Championship Game)		 W 70–47  6–0 Madison Square Garden (N/A)
11/28/2007* #9 Alabama W 76–63  7–0 Reed Arena (10,328[21])
12/02/2007* #9 at Arizona
(Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series)		 L 78–67  7–1 McKale Center (14,598[22])
12/08/2007* #16 Texas State W 109–73  8–1 Reed Arena (9,879[23])
12/16/2007* #14 Arkansas–Pine Bluff W 64–37  9–1 Reed Arena (7,789[24])
12/19/2007* #14 Detroit W 79–39  10–1 Reed Arena (8,912[25])
12/22/2007* #14 UC–Irvine W 88–66  11–1 Reed Arena (8,064[26])
12/29/2007* #14 Florida A&M W 83–54  12–1 Reed Arena (8,089[27])
12/31/2007* #12 Rice W 68–41  13–1 Reed Arena (8,702[28])
01/05/2008* #12 LSU W 79–53  14–1 Reed Arena (12,255[29])
01/12/2008 #11 Colorado W 86–69  15–1 (1–0) Reed Arena (12,634[30])
01/16/2008 #10 at Texas Tech L 68–53  15–2 (1–1) United Spirit Arena (11,268[31])
01/19/2008 #10 at Kansas State L 75–54  15–3 (1–2) Bramlage Coliseum (12,528[32])
01/23/2008 #18 #25 Baylor
(Battle of the Brazos)		 L 116–110 5OT 15–4 (1–3) Reed Arena (12,234[33])
01/26/2008 #18 at Oklahoma State W 59–56  16–4 (2–3) Gallagher-Iba Arena (12,452[34])
01/30/2008 #23 #10 Texas
(Lone Star Showdown)		 W 80–63  17–4 (3–3) Reed Arena (13,555[35])
02/02/2008 #23 Oklahoma W 60–52  18–4 (4–3) Reed Arena (13,158[36])
02/05/2008 #18 at Iowa State W 69–51  19–4 (5–3) Hilton Coliseum (11,955[37])
02/09/2008 #18 at Missouri W 77–69  20–4 (6–3) Mizzou Arena ( [38])
02/16/2008 #16 Oklahoma State L 59–54  20–5 (6–4) Reed Arena (13,584[39])
02/18/2008 #22 at #7 Texas
(Lone Star Showdown)		 L 77–50  20–6 (6–5) Frank Erwin Center (16,755[40])
02/23/2008 #22 Nebraska L 65–59  20–7 (6–6) Reed Arena (11,207[41])
02/27/2008 Texas Tech W 98–54  21–7 (7–6) Reed Arena (10,032[42])
03/01/2008 at Oklahoma L 64–37  21–8 (7–7) Lloyd Noble Center (12,202[43])
03/05/2008 at Baylor
(Battle of the Brazos)		 W 71–57  22–8 (8–7) Ferrell Center (10,545[44])
03/08/2008 #5 Kansas L 72–55  22–9 (8–8) Reed Arena (12,054[45])
Postseason Big 12 Tournament
03/13/2008 vs. Iowa State
(Phillips 66 Big 12 Conference Tournament)		 W 60–47  23–9 Sprint Center (18,758[46])
03/14/2008 vs. Kansas State
(Phillips 66 Big 12 Conference Tournament)		 W 63–60  24–9 Sprint Center (18,897[47])
03/15/2008 vs. #5 Kansas
(Phillips 66 Big 12 Conference Tournament)		 L 77–71  24–10 Sprint Center (18,897[48])
NCAA Tournament
03/20/2008 vs. BYU
(NCAA Tournament)		 W 67–62  25–10 Honda Center (N/A)
03/22/2008 vs. #3 UCLA
(NCAA Tournament)		 L 51–49  25–11 Honda Center (N/A)
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. ( ) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Central Standard Time.

References

  1. ↑ Davis, Brian (2008-02-28). "Texas A&M snaps losing skid in win over Texas Tech". Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on March 5, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Davis, Bryan (2007-10-15). "Aggies work on skills around the globe". Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on October 18, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-05.
  3. ↑ "Men's Basketball Preseason Poll Announced" (Press release). Big 12 Conference. 2007-10-11. Retrieved 2007-11-01.
  4. ↑ "NCAA Men's Basketball Rankings". ESPN. Archived from the original on 6 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-01.
  5. ↑ Katz, Andy (2007-06-19). "Memphis holds on to No. 1". ESPN. Archived from the original on 20 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-05.
  6. ↑ "Wooden Award Preseason" (Press release). CSTV. Retrieved 2007-11-05.
  7. ↑ "All-Big 12 Men's Basketball Preseason Individual Honors Announced" (Press release). Big 12 Sports. 2007-10-09. Retrieved 2007-11-05.
  8. ↑ (2006–07 Texas Aggie Media Guide pg. 200)
  9. ↑ "Jones, Aggies Featured On SI Cover" (Press release). Texas A&M Athletics. 2007-11-15. Retrieved 2007-11-17.
  10. ↑ "Freshman breaks Big 12 record in A&M victory". Dallas Morning News. Associated Press. 2007-11-17. Archived from the original on November 21, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
  11. ↑ Clendenin, Scott (2007-11-18). "Aggie men's basketball team beats Ouachita Baptist". Bryan-College Station Eagle. Archived from the original on 14 December 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
  12. ↑ Croome, Richard (2007-12-31). "A&M's Kirk close to impressive record". Bryan-College Station Eagle. Archived from the original on 2 January 2008. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
  13. ↑ "Aggies Pound Rice". Bryan-College Station Eagle. 2008-01-01. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
  14. ↑ http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/roster?collegeId=245 Archived May 19, 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ↑ "Emporia State vs Texas A&M". Texas A&M Athletic Department. 2007-11-01. Archived from the original on 2007-11-11. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  16. ↑ "Tarleton State vs Texas A&M". Texas A&M Athletic Department. 2007-11-05. Archived from the original on 2007-11-11. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  17. ↑ "McNeese State 50, (14) Texas A&M 73". ESPN.com. 2007-11-09. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  18. ↑ "Oral Roberts 53, (15) Texas A&M 67". ESPN.com. 2007-11-13. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  19. ↑ "UTEP 76, (15) Texas A&M 81". ESPN.com. 2007-11-14. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  20. ↑ "Ouachita Baptist 59, (15) Texas A&M 85". ESPN.com. 2007-11-17. Archived from the original on 21 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  21. ↑ "Alabama vs. Texas A&M". Texas A&M Athletics. 2007-11-28. Archived from the original on 2007-12-03. Retrieved 2007-12-29.
  22. ↑ "(9) Texas A&M 67, Arizona 78". ESPN.com. 2007-12-02. Archived from the original on 22 December 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
  23. ↑ "Texas State vs. Texas A&M". Texas A&M Athletics. 2007-12-08. Archived from the original on 2007-12-11. Retrieved 2007-12-29.
  24. ↑ "Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Texas A&M". Texas A&M Athletics. 2007-12-16. Archived from the original on 2007-12-25. Retrieved 2007-12-29.
  25. ↑ "Detroit vs. Texas A&M". Texas A&M Athletics. 2007-12-19. Archived from the original on 2007-12-21. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
  26. ↑ "UC Irvine vs. Texas A&M". Texas A&M Athletics. 2007-12-22. Archived from the original on 2007-12-23. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
  27. ↑ "Florida A&M vs. Texas A&M". Texas A&M Athletics. 2007-12-29. Archived from the original on 2007-12-31. Retrieved 2007-12-29.
  28. ↑ "Rice vs. Texas A&M". Texas A&M Athletics. 2007-12-31. Archived from the original on 2008-01-03. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
  29. ↑ "LSU vs. Texas A&M". Texas A&M Athletics. 2007-01-05. Archived from the original on January 7, 2008. Retrieved 2007-01-05.
  30. ↑ Texas A&M Athletics Gameday
  31. ↑ "Texas A&M vs. Texas Tech" (Press release). Texas A&M Athletics. 2008-01-16. Archived from the original on 19 January 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-17.
  32. ↑ "Texas A&M vs. Kansas State" (Press release). Texas A&M Athletics. 2008-01-19. Archived from the original on 21 January 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-19.
  33. ↑ "Baylor vs. Texas A&M" (Press release). Texas A&M Athletics. 2008-01-23. Archived from the original on 25 January 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
  34. ↑ Texas A&M Athletics Gameday
  35. ↑ "Texas vs. Texas A&M" (Press release). Texas A&M Athletics. 2008-01-30. Archived from the original on 2 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  36. ↑ "Oklahoma 52, (23) Texas A&M 60" (Press release). ESPN.com. 2008-02-02. Archived from the original on 8 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
  37. ↑ "Texas A&M 69, Iowa State 51" (Press release). ESPN.com. 2008-02-05. Archived from the original on 9 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-05.
  38. ↑ "(18) Texas A&M 77, Missouri 69" (Press release). ESPN.com. 2008-02-09. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
  39. ↑ "16) Texas A&M 54, Oklahoma State 59" (Press release). ESPN.com. 2008-02-16. Archived from the original on 31 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
  40. ↑ "(22) Texas A&M 50, (7) Texas 77" (Press release). ESPN.com. 2008-02-18. Archived from the original on 31 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
  41. ↑ "(22) Texas A&M 59, Nebraska 65" (Press release). Texas A&M Athletics. 2008-02-23. Archived from the original on 26 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  42. ↑ "Texas Tech 54, Texas A&M 98" (Press release). ESPN.com. 2008-02-27. Archived from the original on 3 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  43. ↑ "Texas A&M 37, Oklahoma 64" (Press release). ESPN.com. 2008-03-01. Archived from the original on 5 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
  44. ↑ "Texas A&M 71, Baylor 57" (Press release). ESPN.com. 2008-03-05. Archived from the original on 10 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  45. ↑ "Texas A&M 55, (6) Kansas 72" (Press release). ESPN.com. 2008-03-08. Archived from the original on 13 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  46. ↑ "Texas A&M 60, Iowa State 47" (Press release). ESPN.com. 2008-03-13. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
  47. ↑ "Texas A&M 63, Kansas State 60" (Press release). ESPN.com. 2008-03-14. Archived from the original on 31 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
  48. ↑ "Texas A&M 71, Kansas 77" (Press release). ESPN.com. 2008-03-15. Archived from the original on 31 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-16.

External links