The Ags travel to the minuscule confines of the Hornets Nest tonight at 7 pm versus Sac State in the Annual Causeway Classic basketball game.

The Hornets present a difficult match up for just about any team since they employ a style of play known as "the system" in which they run and gun at breakneck speed on offense and then try to create havoc and turnovers on defense with full court pressure. When opponents try to run with them things can get wild. For example, they nipped Illinois 109-107 but lost to Pepperdine 113-97. They could care less about how much the opponent scores or shooting percentages; it's all about simply running the opponent ragged and outscoring them and, to do that, they will keep fresh legs on the court by making platoon substitutions of 5 new players every few minutes.

This year the Hornets are averaging 91 ppg but also allow 94 ppg. They put up an average of 88 FGA's per game and would be happy to put up 100+. They also launch an average of 42 threes per game and 50 or more would be fine for them. Their rebounding numbers are crazy; they average 50 rpg but they also allow 55.

The Aggies are struggling to find some consistency and balance on offense so it will be interesting to see how Jen Gross decides to manage the pace of the Hornets. My guess is that she will want the Ags to slow down the tempo and find the open player for high percentage shots when the Hornets double and triple team the ball. We haven't shot well from 3 this year so we don't want to get in a run and shoot 3 point contest with them.

The Ags systematically dismantled the Hornets two years ago in the Hornets Nest 110-78. That game was a perfect example of how to beat "the system." The Ags methodically took advantage of the Hornets defensive pressure by scoring in the paint over and over again in transition and on wide open looks when the Hornets scrambled to trap the ball and the Ags were poised enough to be patient and find the open player for a high percentage shot.. We also were draining 3's but we don't have that kind of 3 point shooting this year so we'll need to be more patient. Morgan Bertsch could put up some big numbers if the Hornets decide pressure the ball heavily on the perimeter.

Live online tv stream from Big Sky TV at 7 pm:

https://bigskyconf.com/sports/2015/11/19/WatchBigSky.aspx

Go Ags!