Can A&M go further?
A lot of attention will stay on A&M this season, likely to see Chennedy Carter do Chennedy Carter things. And the team will battle with South Carolina for the title, which is well within the Aggies’ reach (since joining the SEC, the A&M has tied for second twice).
What benefits A&M the most, when in comparison with South Carolina at least, is the return of the Aggies’ 2018-19 starting lineup. Lots of juniors (Carter is eligible to enter the WNBA draft after this year) and there’s only one freshman in the mix for A&M. The team was young last year when it went to its second consecutive Sweet 16. So for Gary Blair and company, it’s all about taking it to the Elite 8, to the Final Four. Further.
Key Non-Conference Matchups:
Nov. 7 exhibition vs. USA National Team
Nov. 10 vs. Duke
Dec. 1 vs. Florida State
Key Returners
Chennedy Carter – 23.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG
N’dea Jones – 11.3 RPG, 7.7 PPG
Ciera Johnson – 12 PPG, 8.4 RPG
Newcomers
Mckinzie Green, 5’6 Guard
What it’ll take:
Can Chennedy Carter stay both out of trouble and healthy? Who can step in her absence, if it unfortunately comes to it? Aggies lost to Lamar early last season when Carter missed the game due to suspension and due to injury, she missed the 2019 SEC tournament and after a double bye, A&M narrowly beat Auburn then went out in the semifinals. 2011 National Champion Gary Blair knows what it takes to win a title and he says the Aggies have the pieces, it all depends on the health and hunger of his team and that moving to the next step sounds good but is much harder to do. But it’ll be fun for everyone to watch them try, no matter how they fare.