Jay Bilas makes the case for why Texas A&M could upset No. 1 seed Houston
Not every No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament was lucky enough to receive a rosy path to the Sweet 16. On Sunday, Houston will have to walk through thorns to reach its destination. ESPN’s Jay Bilas weighed in on Houston’s grueling Round of 32 matchup against No. 9 seed Texas A&M.
“All of [the No. 1 seeds] should advance, but I think Houston has the toughest matchup going against Texas A&M,” Bilas said. “They played earlier this year and Houston wound up winning but it was a really close game. Houston had a big lead and then Texas A&M ate into it.
“The reason they’re a difficult matchup is because Texas A&M is the best offensive rebounding team in the country. They’re right there above Houston, and Houston is a great offensive rebounding and defensive team.”
Bilas isn’t exaggerating. Texas A&M averages 17.2 offensive rebounds per game, the most in the nation. For reference, South Carolina State averages the second-most in the country with only 14.9 per game. Texas A&M owns the glass.
Of course, Houston is no pushover. The Cougars average 13.6 offensive rebounds per contest. Further, Houston creates plenty of extra shots with its defense, which squeezes 16 turnovers per game out of its opponents. The Cougars’ defense will have its work cut out for it on Sunday evening.
Texas A&M boasts a dangerous backcourt
“[Texas A&M] also has outstanding guards,” Bilas said. “Wade Taylor IV had 34 points when they played Houston the first time. He’s had 30 multiple times this year, and he can go off on you when he gets hot. He’s a 40-point guy.
“Tyrece Radford is a downhill driver, left-hander, great guard, rebounder. It’s just a difficult matchup for Houston. Houston should win, but they’re a little thin with injuries, so they’re not as powerful as they were when they played the first time. But, Texas A&M is the worst possible matchup they could have had in the second round game.”
The dangerous backcourt duo combined for 45 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds in Texas A&M’s victory over Nebraska in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. In the win, Taylor shot an astounding 7-10 from beyond the arc.
In the Aggies’ narrow 70-66 loss to Houston earlier this season, Radford did not play. Now at full strength, Texas A&M will look to exact revenge against the Cougars. The highly-anticipated matchup will kick off at 8:40 p.m. ET on TNT.