The 25th-ranked Texas A&M Aggies (20-7, 12-2 SEC) are just hours away from their biggest game of the season thus far as the 11-ranked Tennessee Volunteers (20-7, 9-5 SEC) visit a projected sold out Reed Arena on Tuesday night, with plenty on the line for both teams with just four games remaining in the regular season.
The Aggies are coming off yet another 2-0 week after defeating Arkansas at home 62-56, and Missouri on the road 69-60, while sophomore guard Wade Taylor IV averaged 19.5 ppg in both contests and was named SEC player of the Week for his impressive performance. After getting past the Tigers, the Aggies have now swept four conference opponents this season (Florida, Auburn, LSU, Missouri).
Sitting at 12-2 in the conference, Texas A&M is just one game behind Alabama for the top spot in the SEC, needing to essentially win out in order to claim the title, which is obviously a long shot, but definitely not out of reach.
On Tuesday, ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi released his newest bracket, where Texas A&M moved up to an 8 seed after notching their 5th Quad 1 win. The Aggies have three more Quad 1 games on their schedule, including tonight’s game against the Volunteers, Saturday’s road game against Mississippi State, and the season finale vs. Alabama on Saturday, March 4th.
The Aggies have brought the heat defensively in their last two contests, especially against Missouri, holding the Tigers to 39% from the field, 23 rebounds, and only 60 points on the night, Offensively, the Aggies shot 44% from the field, 38% from deep, and recorded 41 rebounds (16 offensive, 25 defensive). Wade Taylor IV hit 3-5 from 3-point land for 21 points, while Dexter Dennis provided his fourth double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds, also hitting 3 three-pointers in the win.
Statistically, Sophomore guard Wade Taylor IV leads the Aggies in points (15.6 ppg), assists (4.2), and steals (1.7). For Tennessee, senior sharp-shooting guard Santiago Vescovi averaged 12.5 ppg, paired with sophomore point guard Zakai Ziegler averaging 10.8 ppg, and leads the team in assists (5.4) and steals (2.0). However, it was reported that Vescovi (illness) and senior guard Josiah-Jordan James (9.5 ppg) are expected to miss tonight’s game in a huge pre-game turn of events.
Have read that Josiah-Jordan James is not expected to play (ankle), Julian Phillips is still an unknown, and now Santiago Vescovi (illness) is not expected to play tonight.
Great. Tennessee take on the Aggies in College Station tonight.
— @TorresOnTennessee (@TorresontheVols) February 21, 2023
Here is the official way to watch on T.V or Live Stream:
- Game Day: Tuesday, Feb. 21st, 2023
- Game Time: 6:00 PM CT.
- Location: College Station, Texas
- Arena: Reed Arena
- TV Channel: ESPN Live Stream: FuboTV (Watch for free)
For Betting information ahead of the matchup, visit this link for more in-depth information.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty
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