The Texas A&M Aggies head into rivalry weekend looking to shake off the sting of a double-overtime heartbreaker against Tennessee. It was one of those nights where the shots just wouldn’t fall, and now, with emotions still raw, they’re staring down one of the most anticipated games on their calendar - a trip to Austin to take on the Texas Longhorns in the Lone Star Showdown.
For head coach Bucky McMillan, this isn’t just another game - it’s his first taste of one of college basketball’s most storied rivalries. And while the history between these two programs runs deep, McMillan is keeping his team focused on the task at hand. He’s well aware of the stakes, but he’s also preaching poise.
“Our players have to block out all the noise and just know that our success in this game is going to come down to their ability to focus on the things that equate to winning basketball,” McMillan said.
That message is clear: don’t let the moment become bigger than the mission. McMillan isn’t downplaying the rivalry - far from it - but he’s making sure his team doesn’t lose sight of the long game.
The SEC season is a grind, and every win matters. A&M’s 3-1 start in conference play is proof that they’re trending in the right direction, even if the road has been anything but smooth.
“There are games that slip away where you’re right there to win it,” McMillan noted. “But there’s also a lot of games on the flip side of that - games we executed and won.”
That perspective matters. It’s easy to dwell on the ones that got away, especially after a double-overtime loss.
But McMillan is keeping his group grounded, reminding them that they’ve already proven they can close out tight games. Now, the challenge is to do it in one of the toughest environments they’ll face all season.
Winning in Austin has been elusive for Texas A&M - no Aggie head coach has pulled it off since 2001. That’s a long drought, and McMillan has a shot to end it in his very first try.
But he’s not chasing history for history’s sake. His focus is on execution, discipline, and playing Aggie basketball.
A win on Saturday would push A&M to 4-1 in SEC play - a significant early-season benchmark that could carry weight come March. But more than that, it would be a statement.
Not just to the fanbase, but to the locker room. That this team is built to handle pressure.
That they can respond after a gut-punch loss. That they can win on the road, in a hostile environment, against a bitter rival.
The stage is set. The Moody Center will be rocking.
Tip-off is Saturday at 5 p.m. CT on ESPN.