Texas A&M (16-4, 6-1 SEC) took care of business last week after defeating Mississippi State 88-68 on Wednesday, followed by Saturday’s 92-69 blowout win against visiting South Carolina, by far the Aggies’ most dominant victories in conference play. This team has seemingly found its groove, but the schedule now enters its toughest stretch, starting with a road test vs. No. 21 Georgia on Saturday afternoon.
After moving up one spot in the NET rankings to No. 41, first-year head coach Bucky McMillan has already surpassed preseason expectations, as the Aggies sit atop the SEC standings and are the only team with six wins and just one loss in conference play.
Still, facing the bottom half of the SEC has kept A&M afloat in the NCAA Tournament discussions, and over the next five games, the Aggies likely need to go at least 3-2 to become a postseason lock, and, most importantly, avoid home losses against Missouri and Florida, no matter how challenging that sounds. However, after the Gators lost to Auburn, Texas A&M shouldn’t be considered a significant underdog in any of the remaining games.
Focused on the next five games against Georgia (road), Alabama (road), Florida (home), Missouri (home), and Vanderbilt (road), ESPN FPI updated its predictions for every game listed, and based on the NET rankings, four of the five games are listed as Quad 1 matchups.
Predicted to lose every game outside of hosting Missouri, It’s no surprise that ESPN is going with every road team, and giving Florida a slight advantage in Reed Arena based on the size difference and the Gators’ championship pedigree, but after watching the Aggies over the last seven games, this team is for real, and shouldn’t be taken lightly in any matchup.
Personally, I see the Aggies defeating Georgia and either Alabama or Vanderbilt on the road, combined with beating Missouri at home, making them a solid 3-2 with two more Quad 1 wins and a Quad 2 victory.
Texas A&M will face Georgia at noon CT on Saturday, with the game airing on the SEC Network.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: ESPN FPI predicts Texas A&M basketball’s next 5 SEC games
Reporting by Cameron Ohnysty, Aggies Wire / Aggies Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
