After a hot start in SEC play, Texas A&M is suddenly facing its first real stumble of the season. The Aggies, now 17-6 overall and 7-3 in conference, have dropped back-to-back SEC games for the first time this year - a narrow 100-97 loss on the road at Alabama, followed by a deflating 86-67 home defeat to No.
17 Florida. And while the scoreboard tells part of the story, the bigger concern is how Texas A&M looked in that second game: flat, cold from the field, and searching for answers.
Let’s be clear - this wasn’t about effort or defense early on. In fact, the Aggies held their own in the rebounding battle against a Florida team that boasts one of the most physically imposing frontcourts in the SEC, led by Thomas Haugh.
Florida only edged A&M 50-43 on the glass, and the Aggies even came up with six steals. But when you're shooting just 17% from the field in the first half, you’re digging yourself a hole that’s nearly impossible to climb out of - especially against a ranked opponent firing on all cylinders.
First-year head coach Bucky McMillan knew the matchup would be tough. Florida’s size and scoring ability inside were always going to be a challenge.
But what’s most frustrating for A&M fans - and likely the coaching staff - is that this team continues to struggle with consistency from the field. This wasn’t just a bad shooting night; it was the worst of the season.
And it came just days after a high-octane battle in Tuscaloosa, where the Aggies put up 97 points but couldn’t get the stop they needed late.
“We knew we had to make about 15 threes in this game, and we didn’t come close to that,” McMillan said postgame. “We’ll be back.
Credit to them, they’re playing as good as anybody in the country. We couldn’t afford to miss all those shots against them.”
That’s the kind of accountability you want to hear from a head coach, especially a first-year one still carving out his identity in the SEC. McMillan’s confidence is clear - and to his credit, this team has shown resilience all season.
Even under former coach Buzz Williams, the Aggies rarely let one loss turn into a slide. And despite the current two-game skid, they’ve still avoided a losing streak longer than two all year.
The bigger-picture impact? Texas A&M has taken a small hit in the NET rankings.
After slipping one spot to No. 36 following the Alabama loss, the Aggies dropped to No. 40 after Saturday’s showing - the same spot they held before a recent win over Georgia. It’s not a freefall, but it does underscore how thin the margin is for teams looking to lock up a strong seed come March.
The good news? There’s still time - eight games remain in the regular season, and the Aggies are well-positioned to finish with double-digit SEC wins. That’s no small feat in a league that’s as deep and competitive as ever.
Next up is a crucial home matchup against Missouri on Wednesday night. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m. on SEC Network. It’s a chance for Texas A&M to reset, refocus, and remind the conference - and themselves - that they’re still very much in the thick of things.