Troy @ Texas A&M preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 12, 2012 ) Troy 65, Texas A&M 83

There will be a reunion of sorts when Texas A&M hosts Troy on Wednesday. Aggies coach Buzz Williams began his coaching career as an assistant with Texas-Arlington and the first recruit he signed was Trojans coach Scott Cross, who averaged 9.3 points from 1995-98 and is familiar with Williams' tendencies and style.

"We will have to be at our absolute best to beat Scott ...,'' Williams told reporters. "... He is my favorite human being in the world. ... We will have to be at our absolute best because Scott literally knows every single thing that we do. We will have to be distinctly better than we have been through three games to have a chance to win. ..." The Aggies, who are coming off a 79-49 loss to No. 8 Gonzaga on Friday, boast a balanced scoring attack with six players averaging 7.3 points or better. Troy began the season 0-3 - including a 100-62 loss at Indiana on Saturday - before defeating National Christian College Athletic Association member Carver College 84-57 on Monday. Sophomore forward Zay Williams paces the Trojans with 17.3 points per game, scoring 28 and adding eight rebounds and three blocks versus the Hoosiers.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, No TV

ABOUT TROY (1-3): Williams also averages 5.8 rebounds and shoots 56 percent from the field in 22.8 minutes. Freshman forward Tyrek Williams scored 10 points in nine minutes - matching his combined playing time from the first three games - as he continues to round into form after sustaining an injury over the summer. Sophomore guard KJ Simon averages 10.7 points and a team-best 2.5 steals while 6-5 sophomore guard Atakan Sahinkaya grabs a club-most 7.5 rebounds.

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (2-1): Junior guard Jay Jay Chandler averages club highs of 11.7 points and two steals while shooting 9-for-18 from the field. Junior guard Savion Flagg (10.7 points, five rebounds, 2.7 assists) is second in scoring while freshman guard Andre Gordon is off to a promising start at 10 points per game. Senior forward Josh Nebo missed the season opener with a hamstring injury and has totaled 18 points, nine rebounds and five blocks in two games.

TIP-INS

1. The Aggies are 12-for-47 from 3-point range and have recorded 29 assists against 45 turnovers.

2. The Trojans are 2-24 all-time against power five conference teams, defeating Mississippi State 56-53 in 2012 and winning at Auburn 81-77 in 2009.

3. Texas A&M has committed 33 fouls - ninth-fewest nationally entering Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Texas A&M 82, Troy 67