Texas A&M opened Bucky Ball’s sophomore season with a comfortable 97-66 win over Alabama State, but the box score didn’t tell the whole story. The Aggies built a 44-29 halftime lead and eventually stretched the game out in the second half, yet there were enough rough edges in the opener to leave Aggie fans uneasy.
The most obvious issue came on the glass. This was supposed to be the kind of matchup where Texas A&M could lean on its size and physicality, but Alabama State actually finished with the rebounding edge, 44-43. For a team trying to replace Rashaun Agee, that number stands out immediately.
Agee’s absence loomed over the performance. Even though he was shorter than some of the league’s bigger frontcourt players, he consistently gave the Aggies extra possessions and shut down opponents’ second chances. Without him, Texas A&M looked vulnerable in an area that should have been one of its strengths in this game.
Jalen Shelley was the brightest spot on the boards, finishing with 12 rebounds. Cade Phillips added 5 rebounds and led the team with 3 offensive boards, but there’s clearly more work to do there. Jamie Vinson’s first outing was especially quiet, as he managed just 2 rebounds in 11 minutes.
Josh Irving is another name Aggie fans will be watching closely. The freshman played just under 7 and a half minutes and is still trying to settle in, but the hope is that he can eventually become a major interior presence once he earns a regular spot in the rotation.
Texas A&M also had to work through the absence of Rylan Griffen, who was recently denied a preliminary injunction. Griffen is viewed as a key shooter and someone who should make a real offensive difference when he’s available.
There was at least one area where the Aggies settled in as the game went on: outside shooting. Texas A&M hit only 20% of its three-pointers in the first half, then jumped to 46.2% from deep after the break. That helped the Aggies finally separate after Alabama State had made things tighter in the second half.
Still, the rebounding numbers are the part that will stick with this one. This was one of the softer tests on the schedule in terms of cleaning the glass, and Texas A&M still didn’t handle it. That’s a problem that could get exposed fast once the Aggies start seeing bigger, stronger frontcourts.
In Other News...
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Kendall Omoruyis recruiting change gives Texas A&M another notable piece for its volleyball future, and it arrives at a moment when the programs profile is already rising. The top recruit had originally pledged to Nebraska, but she announced she is now headed to College Station, saying the move reflects her personal growth and faith while also thanking Nebraskas coaching staff for their role in her journey.
For the Aggies, the addition fits neatly into a roster that just delivered the schools first national championship and now looks even deeper in the middle. Omoruyi joins a strong group of blockers, giving Texas A&M another high-end option as it tries to build on that title run and keep the momentum going in the seasons ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Texas A&M Gets One Injury Boost As Offensive Concern Lingers
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The bigger concern remains the uncertainty around KJ Edwards and Ashton Bethel-Roman, both listed as questionable as Texas A&M tries to sort out its skill-position depth. South Carolina has its own injury issues to manage, but the Aggies are the ones still waiting on a clearer answer about how healthy their offense will be when kickoff arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Texas A&M Is Already Pushing Ahead At A Tense Recruiting Spot
Texas A&M is already working ahead on the recruiting trail, and one of the newer names to surface is Troy Bishop, a rising 2028 four-star safety from Mater Dei High School. The scholarship offer is another sign that Mike Elkos staff is keeping an eye on the next wave of defensive back talent while still trying to maintain momentum with the classes in front of it.
The timing matters because the Aggies have some uncertainty around their 2027 group after recent commitment changes, which puts a little more pressure on every move they make with secondary prospects. Bishop is part of a broader defensive back picture Texas A&M is monitoring, and Elko has to balance the rest of the 2026 season with the recruiting cycles that will shape the roster beyond it. [Read more 🡒]