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Dominique Kirk lead one of the best defensive teams in the country in 2006-2007. He also scored 7.2 points a game and shot 39 percent from the three-point line. Kirk will take a more active role in the offense as a senior.

Looking forward: Men's Basketball

Texas A&M heads into the 2007-2008 season with talent, but question marks

By: Bryan Mcanally

Posted: 6/18/07

It was a roller coaster ride in 2006-2007 for Texas A&M basketball. The season had ups and downs beyond belief.

Highs included watching Acie Law sink clutch shot after clutch shot, most notably a last second fadeaway over Kevin Durant to send the Texas game into overtime.

Also, the Aggies boasted one of the best defenses in the nation, as well as its best three-point shooter, junior Josh Carter. It was a season of many firsts for the program. The Aggies became the first Big 12 South team to ever win at Kansas.

The low that was principle for Aggie fans was knowing that, regardless of the season's outcome, senior Acie Law would never suit up and play in Reed Arena again.

Losing twice to Texas Tech wasn't much of a morale booster. Neither was a disappointing Big 12 Tournament, or being knocked out of the NCAA Tournament after Law missed a usually routine breakaway layup.

The A&M basketball program has seen quite the turnaround in the past three years.

Going from winless in Big 12 play to the National Invitational Tournament and eventually making it to the NCAA tournament two years straight.

However, the team and fans had a quick reality check. In a three week span, A&M lost the NCAA game to Memphis, and then only 19 days later, they learned that Billy Gillispie, the catalyst for A&M's success, agreed to a contract to coach Kentucky.

All is not lost for Texas A&M however. Fans saw a revival in their hopes on April 10, as Athletic Director Bill Byrne proudly introduced new Head Coach Mark Turgeon.

It's hard to say much about Turgeon this early, but he has already shown more commitment to being an Aggie than Gillispie ever showed. Turgeon fought tears when speaking about his former Wichita State team.

"It's hard, and I am here today because of those players. I told them I loved them and that life isn't fair," Turgeon said. "I have had opportunities to leave before, but nothing excited me like A&M."

Texas A&M basketball also brings a quartet of incoming players for 2007. Guards B.J. Holmes and Derrek Lewis, forward Nathan Walkup and heralded center DeAndre Jordan make up the recruiting class.

Turgeon was incredibly pleased with these players' decisions to stay with the team, despite being recruited by a coach who ended up leaving the program.

"I think it shows the character and loyalty these young men possess. I'm really looking forward to next season," Turgeon said.

The Aggies have lost a good portion of what made the team so successful. Three seniors, including two starters, were lost in Law, Antanas Kavaliuskus, and Marlon Pompey.

With a new head coach, a new recruiting class and a new outlook on the upcoming season, the possibility for a repeat of the success the Aggies have become accustomed to looks promising.