Texas A&M is starting to look like a team that’s not just winning games - it’s making a statement.
Now 16-4 overall and 6-1 in SEC play, the Aggies are sitting atop the conference standings, and they’re doing it with a potent mix of offensive firepower and a suddenly elite defense. Saturday night’s blowout win over South Carolina was just the latest example of how this group is starting to click - and how dangerous they could be come March.
The headliner? Senior forward Zach Clemence.
The reserve big man exploded for a career-high 21 points, drilling seven three-pointers in a breakout performance that caught just about everyone off guard. Clemence, one of head coach Bucky McMillan’s first additions from the transfer portal, picked the perfect time to have his best game in maroon and white, helping the Aggies set a new program record with 17 made threes in an SEC game.
But Clemence wasn’t the only one lighting it up. Senior guard Rylan Griffen has quietly become one of the most reliable two-way players on the roster.
Over the last three games, he’s poured in 48 points and knocked down nine threes, stepping up in a big way after the season-ending injury to transfer forward Mackenzie Mgbako. Griffen now ranks third on the team in scoring, trailing only sharpshooter Ruben Dominguez (12.9 points per game) and the physical presence of Rashuan Agee (13.7).
Offensively, the Aggies are humming. They’re averaging over 91 points per game - a number that speaks for itself.
The ball movement is crisp, the spacing is excellent, and they’ve got multiple guys who can hurt you from deep. But what’s really elevating this team into potential contender status is what they’re doing on the other end of the floor.
According to updated KenPom metrics, Texas A&M now boasts the No. 1 defense in the SEC - and it’s not just one or two areas where they’re excelling. They rank in the top five in six different defensive categories, including:
- Defensive efficiency: 105.8 (1st)
- Turnover percentage: 19.2% (1st)
- Effective field goal percentage allowed: 48% (2nd)
- Steal percentage: 11.2% (3rd)
- Opponent 3-point percentage: 30.2% (3rd)
- Opponent 2-point percentage: 49.8% (4th)
That’s not just a team playing hard on defense - that’s a team executing at a high level across the board. Whether it’s closing out on shooters, forcing turnovers, or contesting shots inside, the Aggies are making life miserable for opposing offenses.
And with Florida’s recent stumble against Auburn, the SEC race is wide open. Sure, Texas A&M might drop a game or two down the stretch - February’s schedule won’t be forgiving - but with a veteran core and a coach who’s got this team playing with confidence and purpose, the Aggies have bigger goals in mind.
If the offense keeps firing and the defense keeps locking in, Texas A&M isn’t just a threat in the SEC - they’re a team no one’s going to want to see come tournament time.