By Chris DePew
TideFans.com Staff
Jan. 12, 2019
Where to watch: Texas A&M (6-7, 0-2 SEC – #92 Pomeroy Rating) at Alabama (10-4, 1-1 – #64) – Today 2:30 p.m. Central, Coleman Coliseum, SEC Network
Who to watch: John Petty. This is the last best chance in January for a get-right game, with Bama likely to be an underdog in five of its next six games after facing the Aggies. Petty has shot 6-for-21 from the floor in three games since Christmas and lost his starting spot to Dazon Ingram to begin SEC play. His 5.1 rebounds per game are a welcome bonus, but his shooting percentage overall and from 3-point range has somehow declined from his anemic freshman season and Petty remains much too careless with the basketball. If he never becomes more than a 10-points-a-night contributor that’s not the worst thing to have, but it shouldn’t be taking him nearly nine shots a game to get there.
What to watch for: Controlling the glass. Texas A&M may well finish last in the SEC, but it won’t be because the Aggies didn’t crash the boards. A&M is in the top 20 nationally for rebounds with over 40 per game, and gets back an incredible 35.5 percent of its misses with offensive rebounds. Leading the way is sophomore combo forward Savion Flagg, who hauls in 8.3 rebounds per game to go with his 12.7 points. Look for Herbert Jones to get the first crack at keeping him contained.
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