Billy Kennedy, Robert Williams and the Texas A&M Aggies will live to see another round after beating Providence, 73-69.
All year, the Aggies’ lack of playable guards had been the team’s biggest weakness. Yet within the course of a single, random, exhilarating March game, a perceived weakness can become a strength. By allowing big men Tyler Davis and, especially, Robert Williams to take over the offense late in its first round victory over Providence, Texas A&M made size the focal point of their attack rather than something inhibiting them from reaching their best.
Davis has been the focal point of the offense all season, leading the team in minutes and finishing second in usage rate. The junior big man shot 70 percent at the rim according to Hoop-Math and created 40 percent of his rim attempts unassisted. Yet his passing ability is a weakness, meaning a simple dump-in to Davis is not an efficient scoring option.
The Aggies also can’t space the floor, with only D.J. Hogg and Admon Gilder shooting above 33 percent from distance this season. Davis can only do so much.
One option that Kennedy has leaned away from all season is to try a similar approach with Williams, the Aggies’ top draft prospect and most talented all-around player. The sophomore shot 84 percent at the rim this season, and he’s one of the quickest leapers in the country. He also has a better feel as a passer and off-ball mover than Davis.
Kennedy went full in with Williams in the second half Friday, and the big man responded with a season-saving performance. After notching a double-double, Williams went on to clinch the victory by blocking a Providence 3-point attempt and finishing the fast break with a windmill dunk.
In the next round, Texas A&M is expected to face Luke Maye, Theo Pinson and a No. 2 seed North Carolina team that is more challenging to play big against. Perhaps we will finally see Kennedy play Williams at center with floor spacing, if Hogg, Gilder and T.J Starks can earn the respect of the defense.
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Or maybe we will see more of the same, with Kennedy balancing the two-headed attack he has at the rim in Davis and Williams. That’s typically considered a less efficient offense, and it’s tough to know what Williams will provide game to game, but Kennedy just won a tournament game playing that way.
When a win is all that matters, it can be as simple as sticking with what works. Against Providence, Kennedy played his cards correctly, Williams played well, and the Aggies survived to try the balancing act again later in the weekend.