In a highly anticipated preseason matchup, the Texas A&M Aggies faced off against the formidable Houston Cougars, seeking to gauge their progress since their NCAA Tournament exit at the hands of the Cougars last season. However, the Aggies fell short, dropping the exhibition contest 79-64 at the Fertitta Center.

A Tough Lesson in Competing at the Highest Level

Turnovers and Rebounding Woes Plague the Aggies

The Aggies struggled to take care of the ball, turning it over 15 times, leading to 22 Cougar points off turnovers. Additionally, they were dominated on the glass, with Houston outrebounding them 40-29. Head coach Buzz Williams acknowledged the team's shortcomings, stating, "We turned the ball over at too high of a rate today in front of fans, and we turned the ball over at too high of a rate in [last Saturday's scrimmage against Baylor]. We can't do that, and our defensive rebounding has to be dramatically better."

Absence of Key Players Hampers the Aggies

The Aggies were without two of their most athletic players, transfer guard Zhuric Phelps and standout defender Solomon Washington, both of whom were sidelined due to injuries. Williams made the decision to sit the pair, prioritizing their long-term health over the exhibition matchup. Phelps has been missing from practice for approximately 24 days, while Washington has been out for nine. Their absence was felt, as the Aggies struggled to dominate the boards and maintain defensive intensity.

Bright Spots Emerge from the Bench

Despite the lopsided defeat, the Aggies found some encouraging signs from their bench players. Rob Dockery, Chris McDermott, and Jaelyn Lee provided a much-needed spark in the waning minutes of the game. Obaseki, who had a solid performance with 14 points, praised the bench players, saying, "They don't really get a lot of reps at practice... So for them to come out there and just kind of lead the charge a little bit, I hope that was pretty encouraging to the coaching staff, and it was for sure to the team."

Lessons Learned and Adjustments Ahead

The exhibition loss against the Cougars served as a valuable learning experience for the Aggies. Without the presence of Phelps and Washington, it was challenging to gauge the team's true potential. However, the coaching staff and players recognized the areas that need improvement, particularly in ball security and defensive rebounding. As the Aggies prepare for the regular season, they will undoubtedly work to address these issues and build upon the positive contributions from their bench players.

A Formidable Opponent and a Barometer for Success

Head coach Buzz Williams expressed his desire to face the Cougars in every preseason warmup, citing the high-level competition they provide as a valuable barometer for his team's progress. "I think it gives you a true temperature of what's required to compete at the highest level," Williams said. The Aggies' struggle against the Cougars, the top-ranked team in the nation according to KenPom.com, serves as a wake-up call and an opportunity for the team to refine their game plan and elevate their performance.

A Glimpse into the Aggies' Regular Season Outlook

Despite the exhibition loss, the Aggies have reason for optimism as they look ahead to the regular season. With the return of Phelps and Washington, the team's rebounding and defensive capabilities are expected to improve significantly. Additionally, the inspired play from the bench players suggests a deeper and more versatile roster that can provide valuable contributions throughout the season.As the Aggies prepare to open the regular season on the road against UCF and at home against Texas A&M-Commerce, they will undoubtedly use the lessons learned from their preseason clash with the Cougars to fuel their drive for success. The Aggies' ability to address their turnover and rebounding issues, as well as the integration of their key players, will be crucial in determining their trajectory for the 2023-24 campaign.