Texas basketball coach Rodney Terry knows the rivalry between UT and Texas A&M is scarcely a memory for his players, most of whom were in elementary school the last time the teams faced off as conference foes on the hardcourt.
But Terry, who grew up in Angleton, south of Houston, has done his best to serve up a few reminders to his team before SEC competition tips off for the Longhorns (11-2) with a trip to College Station on Saturday.
“I’m a Texas boy, so I know what it means to play this game,” Terry said. “You’re not going to find a better rivalry in all the college athletics. Having a chance to have Texas and Texas A&M play again, it’s great for the state of Texas.”
More:Texas basketball routs Northwestern State in final nonconference game. Up next? Rugged SEC
Basketball between rivals could be as physical as football
Most fans think of football when it comes to what’s now dubbed the Lone Star Showdown by both schools, who renewed their regular-season rivalry in every sport when Texas officially joined the Aggies in the SEC in July.
And why not? The ticket to see the Texas football team’s 17-7 win at Kyle Field in November was the most expensive in college football history, according to online marketplace TickPick. And 109,028 fans piled into Kyle Field in College Station to see the game that capped the regular season.
But don’t tell Terry, an avid football fan, that the game at Kyle Field was more physical than what will take place inside Texas A&M’s Reed Arena on Saturday. Terry worked as an assistant for Longhorns coach Rick Barnes in the 2000s, when some elite Texas teams had to fight for survival against some rugged Aggie squads as well as the rowdy Reed fans. Terry said former A&M coach Billy Gillispie fostered a take-no-prisoners mentality for his squad, especially when it faced Texas.
More than a decade later, Terry said the Aggies take a similar approach under coach Buzz Williams.
“It’d be pretty much a rock-fight game,” Terry said. “Billy had some really hard teams to compete against over there, and they compete similar to the way Buzz’s teams compete right now, in terms of how hard they play. If you’re reaching or standing around for the ball, it’s going to be a tough one. You better be on that floor.”
Kadin Shedrick: Protecting offensive glass key
Texas forward Kadin Shedrick, a 6-foot-11 graduate student, grew up in North Carolina and didn’t know anything about the acrimony that hardened over generations between Aggies and Longhorns. But he has plenty of friends who have already competed against Texas A&M this season, and he’s gotten a sense of what makes the rivalry special.
“I understand what this game means to a lot of people,” Shedrick said. “I’ve seen other teams at Texas play against A&M this season, and they’ve been physical games on the football field and really emotional games if it’s on the volleyball court or on the soccer pitch. I know it’s going to be a really emotional and heated game, so I’m ready and excited for the opportunity.”
The action could be especially physical for Shedrick, Arthur Kaluma and the other Texas forwards who must fend off the Aggies on the offensive glass. A&M ranks first among all NCAA Division I teams with 17.08 offensive rebounds a game and three players — Solomon Washington, Henry Coleman III and Pharrel Payne — have at least 30 offensive rebounds this season. Both Coleman and Payne top 250 pounds, which is 15 pounds more than any Texas player.
“They’ve really been trained to crash the glass every time and get extra possessions for the team,” Shedrick said. “And those guys are also a presence on the defensive end.”
Terry also said the Aggies’ willingness to get on the court and scrap for loose balls fuels the home fans, which just adds fire to A&M’s effort.
“They’re probably the best 50-50 basketball team in all of college basketball, and they play a very physical style of basketball,” he said. “And their fan base embraces the way that they play, and they get behind them. It’s a tough place to play, no question about that.”
Saturday’s game
Texas (11-2, 0-0) at No. 12 Texas A&M (11-2, 0-0), 7 p.m., SEC Network, 1300, 98.1
The Texas basketball team is gearing up for its SEC debut as they prepare to take on Texas A&M in a highly anticipated road game. With a strong start to the season and a talented roster, the Longhorns are confident and ready to make a statement in their new conference.
Coach Chris Beard has been leading the team with a focus on defense and toughness, and the players have bought into his system. Standout players like Marcus Carr, Timmy Allen, and Christian Bishop have been leading the charge on both ends of the court, and the team chemistry is evident as they work together to achieve their goals.
The Longhorns know that playing in the SEC will present new challenges, but they are embracing the opportunity to test themselves against some of the best teams in the country. They are ready to show that they belong in their new conference and are determined to make a strong first impression in their upcoming game against Texas A&M.
Fans can expect an intense and competitive matchup as Texas basketball makes its SEC debut. Stay tuned for what is sure to be an exciting game as the Longhorns look to make a statement on the road against their in-state rival. #HookEm
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