Gillispie has ideal gig at Texas A&M

[Jimcs50]

Feb. 6, 2007, 1:43AM
Gillispie has ideal gig at Texas A&M


By JOHN P. LOPEZ
COLLEGE STATION — Somewhere along the way, from his days as a crafty knuckleballer back at Graford High to the top of the state's basketball world, Billy Gillispie is bound to have done something wrong.

He's probably run with scissors. Maybe he has changed lanes without signaling. Or perhaps, just perhaps, there has been an occasion when he has not danced with the one who brung him.

This again was not one of those nights. Despite a degree of misfortune, Texas A&M danced with defense and determination Monday, taking out rival Texas 100-82 amid a scene that could only be called surreal. Certainly for now, life could not be better for the residents of "Gillispieville," as banners at the tent city outside Reed Arena proclaimed.

Gillispie continues to do little wrong, even when it appears it's all going bad, like in the first half Monday. That's when the Aggies fouled too much, allowed too many openings and seemed primed for a collapse with three of their stars in foul trouble.

All that happened in the second half was the Aggies' heart and soul, Acie Law, collapsing in a heap near midcourt and clutching an injured left ankle.

But all you need to know about how far these Aggies have come on so many levels is that they still won going away. And the boisterous Aggies faithful who camped out for days waiting to get into the arena did not storm the court after Monday night's intense, emotional win.

A year ago, beating Texas on a buzzer-beater was enough to make some want to cancel classes. It made the season complete, even before a trip to the NCAA Tournament's second round was done.

But now, a win over the Longhorns only made the Aggies want to look ahead toward a certain NCAA berth, perhaps as high as a No. 2 seed, and maybe a Big 12 le.

As the Aggies have taken so many huge steps in such a short time, the prevailing opinion in college basketball circles has been that they should enjoy it while they can.

Gillispie has done such a magnificent job turning things around, it seems a more desirable job is just a wink away. Maybe an Arkansas, a Kentucky or some other well-pedigreed program.

But more than anything, this game showed that the dream job might in fact be right here.

With Law, a senior, injured and juniors Joseph Jones and Dominique Kirk in foul trouble, Gillispie leaned heavily on freshmen Bryan Davis and Donald Sloan and sop re Josh Carter.

Not once all year had the Aggies had to win a game with so much youth. Law eventually returned, but Jones and Kirk fouled out, and the young A&M threesome responded hugely.

"We would not have this victory," Law said, "without those (three) performing like they did."

Carter, Sloan and Davis combined for 43 points and 17 rebounds. The ultra-athletic, 6-2 Sloan even defended 6-10 Texas superstar Kevin Durant on three late possessions, forcing misses on all three.

But look beyond one game or one scene. Gillispie has created more than a quick fix or brief flirtation with the big time for the No. 6 Aggies. He has established something lasting.

Is it enough to keep Gillispie around even when the big boys come calling, which they most certainly will? Who knows? But the Aggies basketball culture has shed the malaise that once reigned. In its place is a big-time atmosphere that would rival anything anywhere.

Would Gillispie want to coach at a school that could draw a national TV audience twice in three days around the Super Bowl? He already does.

Would he want to coach at a school that would commit fully to big-time facilities? The Aggies already have, breaking ground on a 50,000-square-foot basketball mecca that will be adjacent to Reed Arena.

Would he want Vitale gushing, a sold-out house every night, a Top 10 ranking, fans chanting his name, and recruits lining up? It's done.

As for the A&M students, he had them at o. They camped out for two days just to get into the arena.

They put up the "Gillispieville" banners and turned out in droves, watching Sunday's Super Bowl on flat-screen TVs set up near the arena entrances. When the doors swung open, they flooded both ends of the court and brought energy and noise.


And afterward, there was the state's No. 1 high schooler, 7-foot Houston center DeAndre Jordan, walking across the court celebrating, signing autographs and taking it in.



It didn't look, sound or feel like a mere taste of how the other half of the basketball world lives. It looked like something lasting.

Clearly, the Aggies are going places. Nothing is ever certain, but there are a lot of reasons Gillispie might not want to go anywhere.

[Jimcs50]

Aggies stay on a roll with win over Longhorns
Carter, Law combine for 45 points as A&M follows up win over Kansas


By TERRANCE HARRIS
COLLEGE STATION - This time there were no late-game heroics for Texas A&M point guard Acie Law.

There was no need.

A role player and a couple of subs utes stepped up at a critical time to lead Texas A&M to a 100-82 win over Texas on Monday night in front of a sellout crowd of 13,196 — a Reed Arena record — and a national ESPN Big Monday audience.

It was the second straight blockbuster win for the No. 6 Aggies.

Saturday, it was a late-game show by Law that ignited Texas A&M (20-3, 8-1 Big 12) over then sixth-ranked Kansas in Lawrence, Kan. Monday's loss was the second in a row for the Longhorns (16-7, 6-3).

"It's been great and it's been tough at the same time," said Law, who hit a buzzer-beating 3-point to lift A&M over Texas last season at Reed Arena. "After the Kansas game we laid it all on the line, we had guys laying down in exhaustion we were so tired. But to come back home and get the 'W' in front of all these fans means a lot to us."

Much of the credit has to go to 3-point specialist Josh Carter and freshman reserves Bryan Davis and Donald Sloan, who made the big plays down the stretch as the Aggies pulled away from Kevin Durant and the Longhorns.

Carter sparked an 11-2 run that boosted a three-point lead to 87-75. Normally a long-range shooter, Carter put the ball on the floor for two driving layups and then had a tip-in on a third drive.

He came up with a big steal off D.J. Augustin that set up his tip-in after Sloan and Marlon Pompey missed short jumpers.

Dominique Kirk and Joseph Jones fouled out, but Sloan and Davis hit big baskets inside.

"Three guys grew up a lot tonight," said A&M coach Billy Gillispie. "I think Josh can be that type of player on a daily basis."

Carter, Sloan and Davis were forced into action because three teammates were in foul trouble and Law was hobbling with an ankle sprain.

Carter finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds — his first career double-double. Sloan added 11 points and Davis contributed eight points and six rebounds. Texas A&M's bench outscored Texas 26-2.

"They were huge," said Law, who had 21 points and 15 assists and just one turnover. "We don't have this victory if they didn't play the way they played tonight."

Texas coach Rick Barnes was disappointed in his team's defense as the Longhorns allowed A&M to penetrate for several easy baskets.

"We didn't guard anybody the last four minutes. We were terrible," Barnes said. "I'm disappointed in the fact we were right where we wanted to be. We did what we wanted to do, which was get to their bench, and then we let them hurt us.

"We gave up wide-open layups and we can't be doing that."

Durant had another outstanding game, scoring 28 points in 39 minutes. But the physical defense, and later the Aggies' zone, forced him into 9-of-23 shooting.

"They really didn't do anything special," Durant said. "I was just trying to get my teammates involved."

In a game of strong offensive play, this one hinged on rebounding and defense. The Aggies outrebounded Texas 47-31, including 15 offensive boards.

But in the first half and early in the second, the Longhorns seemed to have the upper hand as they sliced into a 14-point A&M margin and even took the lead briefly.

Fouls and free-throw shooting worked to undo a strong beginning for the Aggies, who led by 14 points just six minutes into the game.

But with A&M's Kirk, the defensive stopper Jones and Antanas Kavaliauskas on the bench because of foul trouble, the Longhorns came back late in the first half, outscoring A&M 32-24 to trail just 45-40 at halftime.

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[Jimcs50]

Our Diaper Dandies, Davis, Sloan and Carter played their best game, collectively and that was what I was worried about all year long, was whether or not we could win a game when our stars were in foul trouble. Now it looks like the Aggies are not only set for this year, but there will be life after Acie and AK next year.

[johngateswhiteley]

...the more wins and seasons A&M has like this, the more it makes me think he isn't going anywhere. we are already knocking on the door of the top 5 and have the top player in Texas coming in next year. why leave...i can't imagine it getting any better. plus, A&M has more money than most schools.

[Jimcs50]

Pre Gillespie:

0-16 in conference

With Gillespie:

1st year: 8-8

2nd year: 10-6

3rd year: 14-2 or 13-3?

UNBELIEVABLE

[johngateswhiteley]

Pre Gillespie:

0-16 in conference

With Gillespie:

1st year: 8-8

2nd year: 10-6

3rd year: 14-2 or 13-3?

UNBELIEVABLE

my prediction was A&M winning the conference @ 13-3, but as of right now i expect them to go 14-2...probably one more slip-up on the road.

[Jimcs50]

my prediction was A&M winning the conference @ 13-3, but as of right now i expect them to go 14-2...probably one more slip-up on the road.

I predicted 12-4

I think I underestimated my own team.

[johngateswhiteley]

I predicted 12-4

I think I underestimated my own team.

its all good. but wrap your head around this...if Billy stays, think of how many times we will own t.u. compared to them beating us. i'd say its like a ratio of 3-1. they're done.

[Jimcs50]

My prediction:

Kansas will lose at least 1 more game(split with K St, and maybe lose at OU)

That means Aggies have to lose more than 2 games to lose Big 12 championship.

I do not see us losing to Nebraska, Baylor, Missouri or Tech...no way.

at Ou and Ok St back to back will be tough, but at worst they split

That makes UT the only hope for Kansas.

If UT can not beat us with the officiating like it was last night, they can neverbeat us.


I say it is a lock.

[johngateswhiteley]

My prediction:

Kansas will lose at least 1 more game(split with K St, and maybe lose at OU)

That means Aggies have to lose more than 2 games to lose Big 12 championship.

I do not see us losing to Nebraska, Baylor, Missouri or Tech...no way.

at Ou and Ok St back to back will be tough, but at worst they split

That makes UT the only hope for Kansas.

If UT can not beat us with the officiating like it was last night, they can neverbeat us.


I say it is a lock.

good assessment, and i agree. i find it funny some of the tea-sips on this board said, basically, wait till you come to austin. uhh, i guess they didn't see the game cause they won't get any more breaks than they got in that game. now i am not saying A&M will blow them out or anything like that...but i think they'll win.

[RonMexico]

plus, A&M has more money than most schools.

And the campus is just dying to throw money at a winner.

[Ballcox]

^Enjoy it while it lasts. You beat a Texas team that lost EVERY starter from last year's team, wow, congrats. But as for this bull about winning at a 3:1 ration from here on out, give me a ing break, are you that delusional?

Believe it or not, Texas basketball has established a pretty good tradition of winning here in the last 8 plus years, and I don't think we're going to just fall off the map because a&m is having one good season.

But you guys keep pumping each other up with the ag love fest, it's funny to watch, sad and pathetic, but funny.

[RonMexico]

^Enjoy it while it lasts. You beat a Texas team that lost EVERY starter from last year's team, wow, congrats. But as for this bull about winning at a 3:1 ration from here on out, give me a ing break, are you that delusional?

Believe it or not, Texas basketball has established a pretty good tradition of winning here in the last 8 plus years, and I don't think we're going to just fall off the map because a&m is having one good season.

But you guys keep pumping each other up with the ag love fest, it's funny to watch, sad and pathetic, but funny.

Reading between the lines... um, yep - those look like tears coming from you.

Wow, nice homer retort there, buddy. This Texas team is still very talented and was able to beat an LSU team that destroyed last year's UT team you seem to love so much.

Are you too ignorant to realize that Durant is 300 times better than Tucker, Aldridge, and Gibson combined? DJ Augustin is even a better PG than Gibson.

A third straight post-season for the first time in school history is more than "just one good season."

[Ballcox]

^Damn, you're right Ron, you've got me pegged. I feel like I might have an Oprah moment any time now and just start gushing all over the place. Like I said, enjoy the success but excuse me if I'm not just falling all over myself in fear of mighty a&m basketball.

Damn, I'm laughing even as a I write this. I know it all relates to the inferiority complex that most a&m fans have regarding UT, but it's cool, I don't hold it against you.

In fact, I like seeing a&m improve with their sports programs, makes for better games and keeps that flame of hope alive that someday you'll actually be recognized as a top level college sports program.

[tlongII]

What kind of contract does Gillispie have? The first article pretty much just talked about facilities and recruits. Good coaches want to get paid. If some school offers a bunch more money he will be gone.

[RonMexico]

What kind of contract does Gillispie have? The first article pretty much just talked about facilities and recruits. Good coaches want to get paid. If some school offers a bunch more money he will be gone.

After last year's tournament berth, the AD offered him a HUGE salary increase, but he declined and asked that the money be put to use in adding/improving facilities. That type of big picture at ude is what makes us think he's in it for the long term. Personally, I think that if Billy coached at a big program like Kansas, he would already have a Final 4 appearence or le and definitely wouldn't have bowed out in the first round for 2 straight years like Mr. Self did. Billy doesn't allow egos in his locker room or on his team and the steady success reflects this.

[tlongII]

After last year's tournament berth, the AD offered him a HUGE salary increase, but he declined and asked that the money be put to use in adding/improving facilities. That type of big picture at ude is what makes us think he's in it for the long term. Personally, I think that if Billy coached at a big program like Kansas, he would already have a Final 4 appearence or le and definitely wouldn't have bowed out in the first round for 2 straight years like Mr. Self did. Billy doesn't allow egos in his locker room or on his team and the steady success reflects this.

Do you have a link regarding the huge salary increase? I would like to know more.

[beachbarbie948]

^Enjoy it while it lasts. You beat a Texas team that lost EVERY starter from last year's team, wow, congrats. But as for this bull about winning at a 3:1 ration from here on out, give me a ing break, are you that delusional?

Believe it or not, Texas basketball has established a pretty good tradition of winning here in the last 8 plus years, and I don't think we're going to just fall off the map because a&m is having one good season.

But you guys keep pumping each other up with the ag love fest, it's funny to watch, sad and pathetic, but funny.

what's sad and pathetic is people like you wasting their time making fun of fans that are happy their team is winning

[RonMexico]

Do you have a link regarding the huge salary increase? I would like to know more.

Actually, he got both the increase and the facility. Apparently, he got an increase in May or something as well, because I just saw a recent article that said Gillespie is now one of the highest paid in the Big 12.

http://www.aggieathletics.com/pressR...php?PRID=10967

http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/conten...910&CID=598454

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Believe it or not, Texas basketball has established a pretty good tradition of winning here in the last 8 plus years, and I don't think we're going to just fall off the map because a&m is having one good season.

You wouldn't think that listening to Barnes breaking down last night after the game, making back handed compliments to Billy, the crowd, the A&M athletic department, etc. Sounded like a man who knows he's going to be Billy's for the rest of time (until the folks in Austin get fed up and can his ass).

[quote]
But you guys keep pumping each other up with the ag love fest, it's funny to watch, sad and pathetic, but funny./quote]

Kinda like Barnes in the press conference after the game last night.

[mookie2001]

eddie sutton, kelvin sampson and roy williams totally opened the big12 up for yall

[Marcus Bryant]

^Enjoy it while it lasts. You beat a Texas team that lost EVERY starter from last year's team, wow, congrats. But as for this bull about winning at a 3:1 ration from here on out, give me a ing break, are you that delusional?

Believe it or not, Texas basketball has established a pretty good tradition of winning here in the last 8 plus years, and I don't think we're going to just fall off the map because a&m is having one good season.

But you guys keep pumping each other up with the ag love fest, it's funny to watch, sad and pathetic, but funny.

What deadly sin is this? Hmmmm....

[johngateswhiteley]

But as for this bull about winning at a 3:1 ration from here on out, give me a ing break, are you that delusional?

...obviously, i don't see that happening indefinitely. but for quite some time, cause its obvious to me Gillispie is a better coach than Barnes and with less talent. whats going to happen as A&M's better talent come in? not good for t.u., imo. plus, i think the team will only lose Law, Pompey, and Kavaliauskas. obviously, nothing to sneeze at...but our front court will be even better next year. the key is who will half-replace Law...and Sloan is a stud, while Carter is only a sop re. good times ahead in Aggie Land.

[mookie2001]

i think the team will only lose Law, Pompey, and Kavaliauskas

bold statement

[johngateswhiteley]

bold statement

the only other guy that could possibly leave is Jones....and i don't see it.