That Fork in the Back of Texas A&M Has Gotten Much Deeper

For Texas A&M, Saturday's game against Kansas State could've been considered a must-win kind of tilt. The Aggies didn't play a challenging non-conference schedule, but did roll through it to a 14-1 start. Conference play, however, has exposed them, and, after a 65-60 loss to Kansas State, consider them officially off the bubble and out of NCAA tournament discussion.

Neither team cracked 40-percent shooting in a tight, defensive game. But Kansas State had much more effective guard play. Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente provided the slashing and drives to the basket, while Fred Brown hit the 3-pointers to keep Texas A&M from collapsing on the Wildcats' interior.

Texas A&M had its opportunities, but could never quite convert. Whether it was missing free throws, not hitting the threes, making a bad turnover at the wrong moment, or failing to box out Darrin Kent for putbacks just as the game seemed to be turning, the Aggies did just enough to get close, but no more.

The Wildcats will likely not make the NCAA tournament as an at-large team, but they've really turned their season around. In a weak non-con slate, the Wildcats lost three straight against the only quality opponents on the schedule. Then they started the Big 12 portion with four straight losses. Since then, however, they have won five straight including Missouri and Texas. Right now, they are the team in the Big 12 no one else wants to play.

Credit needs to be given to K-State coach Frank Martin. He was hired mainly to make sure Bill Walker stayed and Michael Beasley came to the Wildcats. He has actually done a fine job and much more than just recruiting talent. Now he's winning with it too.