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Ouachita Baptist's Rowan Ledbetter runs into a pick by Texas A&M freshman DeAndre Jordan during A&M's 85-59 victory Friday. Jordan had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Big stage

Aggie men's basketball team prepares for NIT semifinals

By: Clif Turner

Posted: 11/20/07

The No. 15 Texas A&M men's basketball team will spend Thanksgiving away from home as they embark on the first road swing of the Mark Turgeon era. The Aggies will face Washington Wednesday in New York City in the semifinals of the preseason National Invitational Tournament. The winner will take on Ohio State or Syracuse in Friday's championship match.

"I think it's going to be a tough challenge," said A&M Head Coach Mark Turgeon. "This is a big week for us because we need to get better."

A&M is coming off an 85-59 victory over Ouachita Baptist on Saturday. Freshman DeAndre Jordan recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Jordan also set a conference and school record by converting 16 consecutive field goal attempts.

Sophomore Josh Carter also had 12 points, including three 3-point field goals.

The Huskies defeated Utah and New Jersey Tech in the first two rounds of the preseason NIT to punch their ticket to Madison Square Garden. They also defeated Eastern Washington Sunday 82-68.

Washington junior Jon Brockman is in the running for the John Wooden Award at season's end. Brockman tallied a career-high 31 points and 18 rebounds in last week's victory over Utah. The 6-foot-7-inch forward also contributed to Sunday's victory over EWU by leading the team with 26 points.

In addition to the right to play for the tournament championship, the Aggies and Huskies will be battling to remain among college basketball's unbeaten. A&M takes a 4-0 record up north and Washington is sporting a 3-0 mark on the young season.

On Monday, Turgeon talked about the quickness of the Huskies and his impression of them.

"I think Washington is underrated," said Turgeon. "They should be ranked higher. Brockman's pretty special. They have speed and that makes it difficult on us. They are small and quick and most of the teams that we've played this year have been small and quick. This will be the best defensive team we've played."

Though the Aggies won't find themselves in a traditional Thanksgiving setting with family, friends and football, they will take part in some important holiday traditions.

"[We'll] have a Thanksgiving dinner that night," Turgeon said. "Then, we'll talk about what we're thankful for."