SEC: Why Texas A&M Will Win the Conference

When someone is suffering a heartbreak it isn’t hard to tell.

This season Texas A&M will have to start the season with the gruesome pain from last year still lingering in their mind. It was an utter disappointment because not only did Texas A&M miss out on qualifying for the NCAA tournament, they also lost to Louisiana Tech in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament.

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With all of those emotions still lagging around can only bring the sense of retribution. Texas A&M this season will come back with a vengeance because their team is more than capable of winning the Southeastern Conference.

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With all fairness to the Kentucky Wildcats, they need to get ready because this season in the Southeastern Conference, Texas A&M is the team to defeat.

Now how is it that a team that finished an overall record of 21-12 and an 11-7 record in the Southeastern Conference should be looked at as the favorite? It’s simple, this season Texas A&M returns most of their roster from last season.

Chemistry and continuity are two important parts of any winning team and it’s what separates most teams in college basketball from programs who are built around one-and-done players.

Texas A&M has seven upperclassmen on their roster and none of them are more important than Danuel House. Last year a lot of people weren’t familiar with House. However, they got acquainted really quickly when he put on a marvelous game against No. 1 Kentucky when he went for 25 points and nine rebounds, and almost escaped with a double-overtime victory.

After the Kentucky game though House wasn’t finished, he put on a showcase for the rest of the season.

Jan 10, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies guard Danuel House (23) reacts after scoring during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Reed Arena. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Some of these examples are when he scored 18 points, on 7-of-15 shooting against an NCAA tournament team in LSU on the road. Or like the time when he went for 28 points against No. 18 Arkansas inside of Bud Walton Arena. How about the moment when he scored 22 points against Auburn in yet another great road performance.

For as good as House performed, the downfall of the year for Texas A&M came as soon as they saw their star suffer a left knee injury, and subsequently Texas A&M missed the NCAA Tournament.

This season though House is playing with house money. He won’t have to worry about the lures of the NBA because the league has already put him on their radar.

His focus should only be getting Texas A&M into the NCAA tournament, improving his defense, getting a better jump shot and then consequently watching his draft stock rise. If House’s game is at the level we’ve seen a few other super seniors at then Texas A&M will be the front runners to win the SEC because no one in the conference will be able to stop him.

Speaking of super seniors, Texas A&M has another senior on the roster who can argue that he’s the best natural point guard in the SEC in Alex Caruso. The 6’5″ point guard is tall enough to see over the defense and he’s very crafty when the basketball is in his hands. Caruso knows how to break his man down off of the dribble and accelerate to the rim.

When Caruso does penetrate though he doesn’t look for his own shot. He loves getting his teammates involved and that’s why his teammates love playing with him. He’ll have to get more aggressive when it comes to scoring, but he’s a solid starting point guard.

Mar 12, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Texas A&M Aggies guard Alex Caruso (21) works against Auburn Tigers forward Jordon Granger (25) during the first half of the second round in the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

In addition to the two biggest players on the team, one of the biggest strengths of this year’s Texas A&M team is that there’s a lot more talent across the board.

The biggest recruit this offseason in College Station, Texas, is a native of the state, D.J. Hogg. The 6’8″ small forward is expected to help in the scoring department because his offensive game overall is on point. Hogg’s a slasher first, but he can make you pay if you leave him open. Another freshman to keep an eye on is Tyler Davis.

At 6’10” and 265 pounds, Davis will be putting up huge numbers when he starts to develop as a player.

Furthermore, Texas A&M has a backup point guard in sophomore Alex Robinson who could start on a majority of teams within the conference. Robinson is one of the smartest players in the SEC and like Tyler Ulis of Kentucky, he’s also one of the shortest. His height though doesn’t look like a problem when he plays because he’s super quick, he’s got good handles and he defends well.

On paper, this Texas A&M team is or should be one of the favorites to win the SEC. The Kentucky Wildcats and Louisiana State Tigers might need to start preparing because this darkhorse could win the conference.

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