Texas A&M basketball just went through a meat grinder in Knoxville. If you were looking for a quick texas a&m basketball score from earlier this week, the number you’re searching for is 87-82. But honestly, a final score rarely tells the whole story, especially when it takes two extra periods to get there.
The Aggies (13-4, 3-1 SEC) walked into the Food City Center against No. 24 Tennessee and looked like they were going to run away with it early. They jumped out to an 8-0 lead. Then they hit an 11-0 surge later in the first half. For a while, it felt like coach Bucky McMillan’s squad was just too fast for the Vols. But as anyone who watches SEC ball knows, nobody stays down for long.
The Tennessee Double-OT Collapse Explained
This game was basically a rollercoaster that ran out of track. A&M was leading 71-69 with only 16 seconds left in regulation. They had the game in their hands. All they needed was a few free throws. Instead, the Aggies went cold at the worst possible moment, hitting just 2-of-7 from the charity stripe down the stretch.
You can’t leave points on the table against a team like Tennessee.
The Vols ended up clawing back, forcing overtime, and then forcing a second overtime. The real killer wasn't just the missed free throws, though. It was the rebounding. Tennessee absolutely mauled A&M on the glass, 60-35. When you give up that many second-chance opportunities, you're asking for trouble. Freshman Nate Ament was a nightmare for the Aggie defense, dropping 23 points, with 10 of those coming in the overtime periods.
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Current SEC Standings and Where A&M Sits
Despite the loss, the Aggies aren't in a bad spot. They are currently 3-1 in conference play, which puts them right near the top of the SEC heap alongside Vanderbilt and Florida.
Here is how the top of the conference looks right now:
- Vanderbilt: 3-0 (16-0 overall—they are on a massive tear)
- Texas A&M: 3-1 (13-4 overall)
- Florida: 3-1 (12-5 overall)
- Georgia: 2-1 (14-2 overall)
It's a crowded room. One loss doesn't ruin the season, but it does expose some cracks. The Aggies are scoring 93 points per game, which is 6th in the entire country. They're fast. They're fun to watch. But the Tennessee game proved that if they can't rebound or finish at the line, that high-octane offense doesn't mean much when the game slows down in March-style atmospheres.
Why the Texas A&M Basketball Score Against Texas Matters Most
If you think the Tennessee loss was emotional, just wait for Saturday. Today, January 17, the Aggies are heading to Austin to face the Longhorns. This is the game everyone in the state has been circling since the schedule dropped.
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Rubén Dominguez is the guy to watch. He’s been lighting it up from deep, averaging 3.6 triples per game. He’s currently 8th in the nation in three-pointers made. If he gets hot early at the Moody Center, the Longhorns are going to have a long afternoon. Texas is sitting at 1-2 in the SEC, so they are desperate. A desperate rival at home is a dangerous thing.
Who is Carrying the Load for the Aggies?
Bucky McMillan has a deep roster, but a few names are doing the heavy lifting.
- Rubén Dominguez: The sophomore from Spain is basically a human flamethrower.
- Pop Isaacs: The junior guard transfer has brought a level of toughness that was sorely needed.
- Pharrel Payne & Henry Coleman III: These guys are the muscle, but they need to be better on the defensive boards if A&M wants to avoid another Knoxville situation.
It's sorta crazy how much this team relies on the three. They knock down 11.5 per contest. When they’re hitting, they look unbeatable. When they aren't? Well, you get 82 points in 50 minutes of basketball and a long flight home.
Looking Ahead: The Upcoming Gauntlet
The schedule doesn't get any easier after the trip to Austin. If you’re tracking the texas a&m basketball score over the next few weeks, keep an eye on these dates:
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- Jan 21 vs Mississippi State (8:00 PM)
- Jan 24 vs South Carolina (2:30 PM)
- Jan 31 at Georgia (12:00 PM)
The Mississippi State game back at Reed Arena is going to be a "must-win" to keep pace for a high seed in the SEC Tournament. The 12th Man needs to be loud for that one because State plays a grinding, slow style that can frustrate a fast team like A&M.
Basically, the Aggies are a Top-25 caliber team that just learned a hard lesson about late-game execution. They have the scoring. They have the shooters. They just need to find a way to close the door when they have a lead.
If you're betting on the Aggies, keep an eye on the injury report for the frontcourt. If Coleman or Payne are limited, the rebounding issues will continue to haunt them. Watch the free throw percentages in the first ten minutes; it’s usually a good indicator of how focused they are.
Head over to the 12thMan website to catch the live radio broadcast if you can't get to a TV for the Texas game. It's going to be a loud one.