College basketball week 6: 5 biggest takeaways

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Dec 17, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) dribbles the ball as Texas A&M Aggies forward Robert Williams (44) defends during the second half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

4. It’s time for Texas A&M’s Robert Williams to play starter minutes

The Aggies had an opportunity to pick up a resume-building win over the weekend with a neutral site meeting against Arizona, but like most times this season, they came up short. After the 67-63 loss, Texas A&M is now 7-3 with just one good non-conference win (Virginia Tech).

With only a home meeting against Tennessee and the SEC schedule left to help build an NCAA Tournament case, the Aggies need to maximize their chances of winning by playing their best players.

That starts with getting freshman Robert Williams on the court more often. The 6-foot-9 forward is currently averaging 20.3 minutes per game, but his production would seem to justify a bigger role. Williams is posting 21.3 points, 9.9 rebounds and 4.7 blocks per 40 minutes, statistics that put him up there with some of the country’s most valuable big men.

The Aggies’ loss to Arizona presented a microcosm of why Williams is so valuable. The big man finished as a plus 11, the highest mark on the team, in defeat as he scored 15 points on 10 shots, grabbed three rebounds and blocked a shot.

The Texas A&M frontcourt is certainly crowded. Tyler Davis is an excellent post scorer and Tonny Trocha-Morelos gives the team a floor-spacing big man, but if the Aggies want to to have a chance at making the NCAA Tournament, it starts with putting Williams on the court more often.