Texas A&M is making noise-and not just in College Station. After a convincing 92-77 road win over Georgia, the Aggies now sit at 17-4 overall and 7-1 in SEC play, leading the conference as we head into February.
And they’re doing it with a roster that, on paper, looked like a chemistry experiment: 15 transfers, a first-year head coach, and the early-season loss of star forward Mackenzie Mgbako. But under Bucky McMillan, this group has become one of the most explosive offenses in the country, averaging over 92 points per game and leading the SEC in multiple categories.
Next up? A road test against Alabama on Wednesday night.
The Crimson Tide are 14-7 and 4-4 in the SEC, and they’re coming off a humbling 100-77 loss to Florida. That makes them dangerous-desperate, even.
And desperate teams at home are never easy outs in this league.
Still, Texas A&M has shown it can handle adversity. This team could easily be undefeated in conference play if not for a few missed free throws and some questionable whistles in the loss to Tennessee. But even with that blemish, the Aggies have established themselves as a legitimate threat in the SEC, and potentially beyond.
The matchup against Alabama will come down to two things: perimeter shooting and timely defense. The Tide are hitting over 39% from three, which means the Aggies can’t afford lapses on the perimeter.
But A&M has been hot from deep themselves, knocking down 41% of their threes over the last two games. If they keep that up, and can string together key stops-especially late in the second half-they’ll have a real shot to leave Tuscaloosa with another big win.
One player to watch will be Alabama center Charles Bediako, who brings size and rim protection that could challenge A&M’s interior attack. But if the Aggies can stretch the floor and keep the ball moving, they’ve proven they can score on just about anyone.
As for the big picture, the NCAA Tournament is coming into focus. With seven conference wins in the bag, McMillan’s squad likely needs three more to secure an at-large bid.
That feels well within reach given how they’re playing. Bracket projections are already taking notice-ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has them as a 7-seed facing 10-seed Saint Mary’s, while CBS Sports also slots them in as a 7-seed, potentially drawing Miami.
Either way, a second-round showdown with Houston is looming as a tantalizing possibility.
But first things first: Alabama on Wednesday, then Florida at home on Saturday. Two more chances to prove that this team isn’t just a feel-good story-they’re a legitimate contender. And if they keep stacking wins, don’t be surprised if that 6-seed becomes reality.