There is something special brewing when it comes to Texas A&M basketball, and every sports outlet is beginning to take notice.
With the 2023 NBA Draft in the rearview mirror, CBS Sports updated its latest preseason Top 25 and 1 college basketball rankings ahead of next season. Granted, there is still plenty of time ahead before the next action on the hardwood, but a few blue-chip programs saw some movement up and down the rankings.
While other college basketball programs have dealt with some variety of roster turnover, either via the transfer portal or the NBA Draft, the Aggies will have the benefit of continuity when it comes to their 2023-24 roster.
As they come off a 25-10 campaign (15-3 SEC) last year, coupled with back-to-back SEC title game appearances and a trip to the NCAA Tournament, Texas A&M is one of the few teams that can confidently “run it back” in the fall.
The Aggies will return nearly every starter from a season ago, highlighted by the All-SEC backcourt of Wade Taylor IV and Tyrece “Boots” Radford, that cohesion warranted the Maroon and White to land at No. 15 in CBS Sports’ latest rankings, ahead of conference foes Alabama, Kentucky, and Mississippi State. Only Arkansas and Tennessee ranked higher than A&M.
Here’s what insider Gary Parrish had to say regarding the Aggies’ 15th-place ranking:
“This ranking is based on the Aggies returning four starters – everybody except Dexter Dennis – from a team that won 25 games and secured a No. 7 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. A second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament is a likely scenario for Texas A&M.”
In addition to the returning production from a season ago, Buzz Williams’ Aggies have bolstered the roster with key transfer additions such as Jace Carter and Eli Lawrence. With both bringing added experience to College Station, it should only benefit an A&M team that is ready to make a deeper run into the postseason.
The Maroon and White may have been a “breakout” team a season ago, but based on the volume of recognition they’re receiving ahead of the fall, it’s clear that the Aggies have become a noteworthy favorite to seriously contend in the coming season.
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 Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=7]