Texas A&M: post mortem

I hope you're not here to see me welcome Georgia to the 2015 NCAA Tournament.  I am not going to do that.  There is too much basketball to be played to throw jinxes like that around.

I will, however, reiterate how much I love this (endlessly aggravating) team.  They take a punch as well as any prize fighter out there.  Texas A&M raced to 12 points at the first media timeout.  Georgia had 8.  The refs called 4 fouls on one possession.  The Aggies got one point.  Kenny Gaines had 4 fouls with over 10 minutes left in the game.  Georgia extended their lead.

Georgia is beatable, but they will always make you earn it, and no matter what, you'll walk away respecting them:

• Marcus Thornton is a 33% 3-point shooter this year.  Part of that is because he only takes them when they're there (discounting the shot clock running down).  I have no problem with him taking one or two per game if they're open.
• Charles Mann, on the other hand, does not need to be taking 7 3-pointers in a game.  Ever.  He made the second one he took and that led to some over-confidence.  The rest of his stat line, however, is beautiful, including this gem:  4/0 assists to turnovers.
• None was bigger than the pass to Gaines in the corner.  Excellent vision to see Caruso cheat up and hit Kenny in the corner for the dagger.
• Big shot for Echols, too.
• I've run out of ways to say it, but the balance on this team is incredible.  Frazier and Thornton combined for 10 points, and Georgia won on the road (where A&M had yet to lose) by 9.
• Cam Forte is a sneaky-good passer.  No turnovers tonight, either.
• If we get that Kenny Gaines for the stretch run, we'll be ok.  If we get better than that, look out.
• Oh, and nice dunk, Kenny.  Very nice dunk.
• Georgia had less turnovers, took more shots, and had more rebounds than the Aggies.  It's hard to lose when you do that.
• Oh, and 75% from the free throw line.
• In fact, some circus shots by Texas A&M kept the game from being a blowout.  Caruso, in particular, finished some very difficult drives with points.
• Jalen Jones complaining about the officiating moments after the 4-foul possession was high comedy.
• So was the announcers' insistence that Alex Caruso might be the best passer in the SEC.  5 turnovers later, consider me unconvinced.
• After that 12 point outburst to start the game?  41 more over the last 36 minutes.  For the most part, Georgia made Texas A&M take uncomfortable shots, which is what good defense does.
• Did you see the postgame interview with Mark Fox?  If not, look it up.  Let's just say he left it all on the court tonight.

 As of right now, that's Georgia's second win against the top 50, and it came on the road.  I'm not convinced the Aggies will finish the season there, but they'll be close enough to count it as a good win.

If you're Georgia, you may be tempted to breathe a little easier.  Don't.  A dangerous Auburn team comes to town Saturday, and every remaining home game is critical.