Texas Southern @ Texas A&M preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 29, 2018 ) Texas Southern 88, Texas A&M 73

Fresh off its first win of the season over a team that currently sports a winning record, Texas A&M will try to carry the momentum into Monday's game against visiting Texas Southern. Josh Nebo was instrumental in carrying the Aggies past a one-loss Oregon State squad Dec. 21 and will try to keep it going against the Tigers from Houston.

Nebo finished the game with eight blocks, the second-most in school history and the most for Texas A&M since 1990, and four of those came in the final eight minutes as the Aggies pulled away to victory. "It was a big win for us, especially since the last few games have been a struggle for us," Nebo, who has averaged 14.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and four blocked shots in the last three games, told the media. "Good game to have a breakthrough with all the work we've been putting in and see it come to life against a really good team." The matchup with Texas Southern will offer a contrast as the Aggies score 57.7 points per game while the Tigers give up 81.7. The Tigers of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, who have surrendered an average of 93.5 points in dropping four of their last five games, have one player - Tyrik Armstrong - who averages better than 9.4 points.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, No TV

ABOUT TEXAS SOUTHERN (3-9): Armstrong has been a model of consistency since the start of the SWAC Tournament last season, scoring in double figures in 18 of 19 games. The senior guard from Houston has been at his best in the last three games, producing a 30-point game, a 20-point game and a game with 12 assists - one off his career high. Chris Baldwin, a senior forward, has seen an uptick in playing time and production since the calendar turned to December, registering 15.8 points and 5.3 rebounds over four contests.

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (5-5): Coach Buzz Williams has been after the Aggies about rebounding, particularly on the offensive end, and they responded against Oregon State. Freshman Emanuel Miller has been inserted into the starting lineup recently to help in that regard and 6-7 forward from Canada has come through by averaging 11 boards in the last three games, including 10 total offensive rebounds. Nebo came up with three offensive boards against Oregon State, including one followed by a dunk to start the decisive run for Texas A&M, who commence SEC play Jan. 4 at Arkansas.

TIP-INS

1. Only nine teams in Division I give up more points per game than the Tigers while only nine teams score fewer points than the Aggies.

2. Texas A&M is 9-0 against Texas Southern, including six wins by double figures.

3. Nebo, who was one block shy of the nine David Harris had for Texas A&M in 1990, had eight blocks in a game once before while playing for St. Francis (Pa.).

PREDICTION: Texas A&M 77, Texas Southern 63