Since the start of SEC play, the Texas A&M men’s basketball team,(19-7, 11-2 SEC) has completely turned their season around. After losing to Wofford on Dec. 20th, the Aggies held a disappointing 6-5 record and had many questioning if Head coach Buzz Williams was running out of time in his pivotal fourth season with the program.
Since then, everything has clicked for the Aggies after finishing out non-conference play with double-digit victories over Northwestern State and Prairie View A&M. The Ags opened SEC play on the road against Florida Gators, not yet knowing that Gainsville, Florida would be the site of of the beginning of what has been a magical conference run.
After narrowly defeating the Gators 66-63, the Aggies have won 13 out of their last 15 games, reaching 11-2 in the SEC, only one game out from first place in the conference below the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide at 12-1.
All of this would seem to build a pretty strong resume for an NCAA tournament bound team, but, according to ESPN insider John Gasaway, Texas A&M still has “Work to do” in order to secure a spot among the field of 68 as March quickly approaches. After defeating the Arkansas Razorbacks 62-56 on Wednesday night behind a notable defensive effort, Gasaway stated,
If the Aggies win a share of the SEC title, it will take some serious chitzpah for the committee to say no to them again this year. That first part, at least, could happen. On the same evening that first-place, at least Alabama fell at Tennessee, Wade Taylor IV put up 18 point at home to lead Texas A&M to a 62-56 win over Arkansas. At 11-2 in SEC play, the Aggies are just a game back of the No.1 ranked Crimson Tide. Looking ahead, A&M’s next three games off either oppurtunity or danger or a “last four in” team, depending on one’s point of view. It will play road games at Mississippi and Mississippi State on either side of a home hame against the Volunteers.
Gasaway is right about one thing, the Aggies’ road ahead is one of the toughest in the country to close out the season, but after what they’ve have shown in the past two months while sweeping three SEC opponents, and accumulating a 13-1 home record, and 5-3 road record, momentum is definitely on their side.
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