[5:02 PM] Texas A&M v. Virginia Tech

Who will WIN this matchup?

Texas A&M Aggies (3-1)

Virginia Tech Hokies (4-0)

 

• D.J. Hogg of Texas A&M and Justin Robinson of Virginia Tech had the best games of their college careers in the opening round of the Wooden Legacy, and the sophomores will try to stay on a roll when their teams meet Friday in the semifinals at Cal State Fullerton. Hogg scored a career-high 25 points Thursday in a 95-73 victory against Cal State Northridge, and Robinson finished with a career-best 22 points a couple hours later in a 92-72 victory against New Mexico.

• The Aggies scored the final 17 points of the first half to seize a 53-28 lead against Northridge, the most points ever scored in an opening half at the Wooden Legacy. The Hokies weren’t able to shake New Mexico for good until the final 14 minutes, when they turned a seven-point lead into a 21-point advantage with 5:21 left.

• Nearly overshadowed by Hogg’s performance were the contributions by fellow sophomore Admon Gilder, a 6-4 guard. He also produced a career-high point total and much more against Nothridge, finishing with 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and just one turnover. Gilder has played well in big games in his brief career, scoring 11 points off the bench in each of his first two NCAA Tournament appearances last March, including a game-tying layup with three seconds left in regulation against Northern Iowa and the Aggies won in double-overtime to advance to the Sweet 16.

• Texas A&M might have the early size advantage, but the Aggies will have trouble matching Virginia Tech’s bench. Zach LeDay came into the tournament leading the Hokies in scoring (18.3) and Seth Allen was tied with Ahmed Hill for second at 13.3, and both LeDay and Allen come off the bench. LeDay, a 6-7 forward, will likely get an early call if it appears Texas A&M is having too easy of a time scoring and rebounding down low while 6-10 freshman Khadim Sy (10 rebounds Thursday) is the lone big man in the starting lineup.

• The first four opponents for Texas A&M have shot under 38 percent from the floor.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Texas A&M Aggies

Confidence: 5/10

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