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Second-round tilt features Aggies against Boilermakers
Spokane, WA (Sports Network) - Second-Round action in the South Region of the NCAA Tournament will take place at Spokane Memorial Arena when the fourth- seeded Purdue Boilermakers take on the fifth-seeded Texas A&M Aggies.
The Aggies pushed through to the second round for the fifth straight season, after opening the tournament with a convincing, 69-53 victory over Utah State in the first round. Texas A&M, which finished with a 23-9 record during the regular season, is now 9-11 all-time in this event, and 6-4 in the Big Dance over the past five seasons.
After an embarrassing loss to Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament, the Boilermakers redeemed themselves with a solid, 72-64 victory over Siena in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday. Purdue, which is making its fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament, is now 32-23 all-time in this event.
In regard to the all-time series between the two schools on the hardwood, the Boilermakers own a slim 2-1 edge over Texas A&M. However, the lone win for the Aggies came in the last meeting back in 2001.
The Aggies flexed their muscle defensively against Utah State on Friday, as they held their opponent to just 53 points behind a 38.7 percent shooting effort. Utah State, which was one of the top three-point shooting teams in the nation, was limited to just 5-of-20 from behind the arc. At the other end of the floor the Aggies where just as impressive, as they shot 49.0 percent in the contest and that included an 8-of-18 clip from behind the arc. Khris Middleton led the way with 19 points, while David Loubeau added 14 points. B.J. Holmes and Donald Sloan contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively. Sloan has been the top performer throughout the season for Texas A&M, as the guard is leading the team with 18.0 ppg. However, if the Aggies are going to remain in this tournament the team will have to continue its strong play defensively, as Texas A&M heads into this second round matchup holding opponents to just 64.5 ppg. The Boilermakers are a fourth seed in the tournament, but somehow Purdue was looked upon to be a team that would not make it out of the first round. However, without star forward Robbie Hummel, the Boilermakers proved they are a dangerous team by taking care of Siena by an eight-point margin to open up play. Purdue shot 45.8 percent from the field in the victory and was led by a terrific performance by JaJuan Johnson, who finished with a double-double of 23 points and 15 rebounds. E'Twaun Moore added 12 points and six rebounds, while Keaton Grant and Chris Kramer posted 11 and 10 points, respectively. The loss of Hummel and his 15.7 ppg and 6.9 rpg is definitely a sore spot for the Boilermakers, but the team has relied on Johnson, who is averaging 15.4 ppg and a team-best 7.3 rpg. Moore has also stepped up his game and comes into this matchup averaging 16.4 ppg, to go along with a team-high 91 assists. As a whole, the Boilermakers are producing 71.1 ppg, but a strong emphasis on defense is the key the rest of the way, as Purdue is currently limiting opponents to just 61.0 ppg.
Spokane, WA (Sports Network) - Second-Round action in the South Region of the NCAA Tournament will take place at Spokane Memorial Arena when the fourth- seeded Purdue Boilermakers take on the fifth-seeded Texas A&M Aggies.
The Aggies pushed through to the second round for the fifth straight season, after opening the tournament with a convincing, 69-53 victory over Utah State in the first round. Texas A&M, which finished with a 23-9 record during the regular season, is now 9-11 all-time in this event, and 6-4 in the Big Dance over the past five seasons.
After an embarrassing loss to Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament, the Boilermakers redeemed themselves with a solid, 72-64 victory over Siena in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday. Purdue, which is making its fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament, is now 32-23 all-time in this event.
In regard to the all-time series between the two schools on the hardwood, the Boilermakers own a slim 2-1 edge over Texas A&M. However, the lone win for the Aggies came in the last meeting back in 2001.
The Aggies flexed their muscle defensively against Utah State on Friday, as they held their opponent to just 53 points behind a 38.7 percent shooting effort. Utah State, which was one of the top three-point shooting teams in the nation, was limited to just 5-of-20 from behind the arc. At the other end of the floor the Aggies where just as impressive, as they shot 49.0 percent in the contest and that included an 8-of-18 clip from behind the arc. Khris Middleton led the way with 19 points, while David Loubeau added 14 points. B.J. Holmes and Donald Sloan contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively. Sloan has been the top performer throughout the season for Texas A&M, as the guard is leading the team with 18.0 ppg. However, if the Aggies are going to remain in this tournament the team will have to continue its strong play defensively, as Texas A&M heads into this second round matchup holding opponents to just 64.5 ppg. The Boilermakers are a fourth seed in the tournament, but somehow Purdue was looked upon to be a team that would not make it out of the first round. However, without star forward Robbie Hummel, the Boilermakers proved they are a dangerous team by taking care of Siena by an eight-point margin to open up play. Purdue shot 45.8 percent from the field in the victory and was led by a terrific performance by JaJuan Johnson, who finished with a double-double of 23 points and 15 rebounds. E'Twaun Moore added 12 points and six rebounds, while Keaton Grant and Chris Kramer posted 11 and 10 points, respectively. The loss of Hummel and his 15.7 ppg and 6.9 rpg is definitely a sore spot for the Boilermakers, but the team has relied on Johnson, who is averaging 15.4 ppg and a team-best 7.3 rpg. Moore has also stepped up his game and comes into this matchup averaging 16.4 ppg, to go along with a team-high 91 assists. As a whole, the Boilermakers are producing 71.1 ppg, but a strong emphasis on defense is the key the rest of the way, as Purdue is currently limiting opponents to just 61.0 ppg.
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