Zach Clemence brings March Madness experience to Texas A&M

Texas A&M (21-11) has arrived in Oklahoma City to face St. Mary’s University in the first round of the NCAA tournament, with first-year head coach Bucky McMillan looking to lead his veteran squad, many of whom have yet to experience March Madness. However, senior forward and Kansas transfer Zach Clemence stands out because of his extensive postseason experience.

Yes, playing at Kansas essentially means a guaranteed trip to the big dance, and while Clemens has been benched his entire career with the Jayhawks, it’s not for lack of skill as the former four-star prospect with San Antonio (Texas) has slowly but surely become one of McMillan’s most reliable players, currently averaging 7.1 points per game on 47 percent shooting from the field and 41 percent from beyond the arc.

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Clemens has found his groove, posting eight double-digit scoring performances on the year, including three 20-plus point games, including a career-high 29 points in the Aggies’ road loss to Arkansas before back-to-back wins over LSU and Kentucky to close out the regular season.

While senior forward Rashaun Agee has been the glue of the lineup, Clemens will continue to be counted on to provide an instant spark off the bench, and his 6-foot-11 frame will come in handy against a St. Mary’s lineup that has three players over 7-foot-0 looking to dominate the interior.

Texas A&M beat writer Tony Catalina sat down with Zach Clemence during the media portion before the Aggies’ open practice on Thursday to get an inside look at the advice he offers his teammates on the mindset needed for each game, starting Thursday night against the Gaels.