Texas A&M Faces Tough Test at No. 19 Vanderbilt Amid SEC Skid
Life in the SEC doesn’t give you much breathing room - and right now, Texas A&M is feeling that pressure firsthand.
Just two weeks ago, the Aggies were sitting atop the conference standings, riding high and looking like a legitimate contender in the SEC. Fast forward to mid-February, and they’re suddenly in a five-way tie for third place, trying to stop the bleeding after three straight losses.
The latest blow? A heartbreaking 86-85 loss to Missouri that stretched their skid to three and left them searching for answers.
Now, things get even tougher: a road trip to take on No. 19 Vanderbilt, one of the SEC’s hottest teams and a group that’s been nearly unbeatable at home.
Here’s a closer look at what A&M is up against - and why this matchup could be a defining moment in their season.
Vanderbilt Brings Balance on Both Ends of the Floor
If Texas A&M is looking for a soft spot in Vanderbilt’s armor, they’ll have to squint.
The Commodores are one of the most well-rounded squads in the SEC, ranking top five in the league in both scoring (88.7 points per game) and defense (73.8 points allowed). That’s a rare combo - and it makes them a nightmare matchup for a team trying to rediscover its rhythm.
Offensively, Vanderbilt is efficient and disciplined. They’re hitting nearly 49% of their shots from the field (fourth in the SEC), and they’re dangerous from deep, connecting at a 36.1% clip - third-best in the conference.
Defensively, they’re just as impressive, especially on the perimeter. Opponents are shooting a league-worst 29.6% from three against them, which could be a problem for an A&M team that’s struggled to find consistent outside shooting.
One area where the Commodores are vulnerable? The glass.
They’re tied for 13th in the SEC in rebounding at 36.3 boards per game. That’s a potential opening for A&M, which ranks seventh in the league at 38.0 rebounds per game.
If the Aggies can control the boards and create second-chance opportunities, they might be able to slow the pace and keep Vanderbilt from getting into a rhythm.
No Duke Miles, No Problem (So Far)
Vanderbilt has been without its star guard Duke Miles since Jan. 24, when he dropped 17 points in a blowout win over Mississippi State before suffering a knee injury that required surgery. At the time, Miles was one of the top shooting guards in the country - he’d just been named to the Jerry West Award midseason top 10 and was averaging 16.6 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.8 steals per game.
In short: he was the engine of this offense.
But here’s the thing - the Commodores haven’t missed a beat without him.
They’ve gone 3-1 in the four games since Miles went down, averaging 81.5 points per game over that stretch. Sophomore guard Tyler Tanner has stepped into the spotlight in a big way, leading the team with 18.9 points per game on the season - and taking it up a notch in Miles’ absence.
Tanner has been electric, putting up 26.2 points per game over the last four contests, including a jaw-dropping 37-point performance in a one-point loss to Oklahoma. He’s not just filling in - he’s thriving, and he’s giving Vanderbilt a new dimension offensively.
For Texas A&M, containing Tanner will be priority No. 1.
If they can limit his touches and force someone else to beat them, they might have a shot at slowing Vanderbilt down. But that’s a tall task, especially on the road.
Mark Byington Has Vandy Trending Up
It’s only Year 2 for Mark Byington in Nashville, but he’s already got Vanderbilt looking like a team that could make serious noise in March.
Byington came over after a successful run at James Madison, where he won both a regular-season and conference tournament title. He wasted no time making his mark at Vandy, guiding the Commodores to the NCAA Tournament in his first season and peaking at No. 24 in the AP poll.
This year, they’ve already matched last season’s win total - and there are still seven games left to play. The Commodores are 11-2 at home and playing with confidence, even without their top scorer. That’s a testament to Byington’s system and the depth he’s built into the roster.
The Bottom Line
Texas A&M is desperate for a win. After a strong start to the season, they’re now facing the possibility of a four-game losing streak - something that last happened a year ago under former head coach Buzz Williams.
But snapping that streak on the road against a top-20 team that’s rolling despite missing its best player? That’s a tall order.
Vanderbilt is deep, balanced, and tough at home. And right now, they’re playing like one of the best teams in the SEC.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 90, Texas A&M 84
It’s not that the Aggies can’t win - but they’ll need to play their most complete game in weeks to pull it off. If they can dominate the glass, slow the tempo, and get a big night from their backcourt, there’s a path. But based on how Vanderbilt is playing, especially at home, it’s hard to pick against them.