Texas A&M Hits Its Stride, But the Real Test Begins Now
Texas A&M is rolling. After back-to-back statement wins over Mississippi State (88-68) and South Carolina (92-69), the Aggies are sitting pretty atop the SEC standings with a 16-4 overall record and a 6-1 mark in conference play. Those two victories weren’t just wins-they were dominant performances that showcased a team starting to find its rhythm at the right time.
But here’s the thing: the warm-up is over. The next stretch of the schedule is where we find out just how real this team is.
First-year head coach Bucky McMillan has already turned heads by steering A&M to a spot few expected this early. The Aggies climbed to No. 41 in the latest NET rankings and are the only SEC squad with six conference wins and just one loss. That’s no small feat, even if much of the early conference slate came against teams in the bottom half of the standings.
Now, the challenge ramps up-and fast.
Over the next five games, the Aggies face a gauntlet that includes three road matchups and two home games against capable opponents. The road begins with a high-stakes test at No.
21 Georgia on Saturday. After that, it’s a trip to face Alabama, followed by home games against Florida and Missouri, and then a visit to Vanderbilt.
It’s a stretch that could define their postseason fate.
Let’s talk tournament math. The Aggies likely need to go at least 3-2 over this next stretch to solidify their NCAA Tournament resume.
And while that number seems manageable, the margin for error is razor-thin-especially when it comes to protecting home court. Dropping games at Reed Arena to Missouri or Florida could be costly, regardless of how competitive those matchups may be.
The good news? Texas A&M has shown enough over the past few weeks to believe they can hang with anyone. The team is playing with confidence, executing on both ends, and showing the kind of chemistry that wins big games in February and March.
According to ESPN’s FPI, four of the next five games are considered Quad 1 matchups-a critical metric for the selection committee. Here’s how the predictions stack up:
- Texas A&M (43%) at Georgia (57%)
- Texas A&M (30.4%) at Alabama (69.6%)
- Florida (55%) at Texas A&M (45%)
- Missouri (24.8%) at Texas A&M (75.2%)
- Texas A&M (27.3%) at Vanderbilt (72.7%)
The numbers suggest the Aggies are underdogs in four of the five games, with Missouri being the lone matchup where they’re favored. But if you’ve been watching this team closely, you know they’ve got more fight than those percentages imply.
Georgia and Alabama on the road won’t be easy, but A&M has the kind of grit and momentum that can travel. Florida might have the edge on paper thanks to their size and pedigree, but that game is in College Station-and the Aggies have already shown they can rise to the occasion at home.
Realistically, a 3-2 stretch-with wins over Missouri, Georgia, and either Alabama or Vanderbilt-would be a huge boost. That would add two more Quad 1 wins and a Quad 2 victory to their resume, putting them in strong position heading into the final stretch of the season.
The first of those five tests tips off this Saturday at noon CT, when Texas A&M travels to Athens to take on Georgia. The game will air on SEC Network.
The Aggies are hot, but now it’s time to prove they can stay that way when the lights get brighter and the opponents get tougher.