Texas A&M has had a week to stew over a lost opportunity in its most recent game.
The Aggies (7-3) hope to apply the lessons learned in that time when they face Jacksonville (5-5) on Sunday in College Station, Texas.
Texas A&M coach Bucky McMillan said he doesn’t want to get so “results-oriented” that he allows a 93-80 overtime loss at SMU last Sunday to overshadow the team’s progress as it builds toward SEC play.
“You can see that we’re heading in the right direction,” McMillan said, though he added that even a week later he was still bothered by the finish against the Mustangs, which ended a five-game win streak.
The Aggies had a four-point lead and possession with 40 seconds left, but turned the ball over on each of its last four possessions in regulation, then got outscored 16-3 in overtime while missing all 12 of their field-goal attempts.
Shooting was also an issue in the first half as Texas A&M made just one of its 16 3-point attempts.
“We’re a good 3-point shooting team,” McMillan said. “That’s got to be our strength and we’ve got to roll with it. I know that over time if we get enough of them off we’re going to be pretty good.”
The Aggies are shooting 36.5 percent from beyond the arc and McMillan believes in an “equal opportunity” offense. Four players are averaging double figures in points and seven players have between 17 and 35 assists. Ruben Dominguez is their top scorer at 14.5 points per game.
“The best offensive teams are usually a high-assist team and (the balance) shows that we’re growing together,” McMillan said. “Offense is more consistent when the ball doesn’t stick.”
Jacksonville demonstrated a similar ability to share the offensive load in its most recent game. The Dolphins had six players score in double figures and added 30 assists as they defeated Trinity College of Jacksonville 122-49 on Thursday.
“We work on (sharing the basketball) relentlessly in practice every day to be consistent,” said center Charles Caporaso, who scored a career-high 18 points on Thursday. “It’s become second nature.”
