Texas A&M (13-4, 3-1 SEC) is ahead of schedule amid head coach Bucky McMillan’s first season at the helm, reaching 3-0 in SEC play before falling to No. 24 Tennessee on the road 87-82 in double-overtime on Tuesday night. In a game where the Aggies struggled from the free throw line (21-32) while being outrebounded 60-35, including 24 offensive rebounds that led to 20-plus points.
Having to play small ball due to the season-ending injury to Indiana transfer forward Mackenzie Mgbako, the rebounding issues will likely continue, but improving at the stripe will determine a handful of close games moving forward, especially if the Aggies continue to hit 10 or more 3-pointers per game after draining 13 against the Volunteers.
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Even after losing at Tennessee, Texas A&M surprisingly rose in ESPN’s Bracketology update to one of the “Last Four Byes,” as bracket expert Joe Lunardi was likely impressed by the way the Aggies continued to battle with a chance to pull off another road upset in one of the toughest environments in SEC play.
Still, the Aggies need to pile up wins and more Quad 1 victories to have a legitimate shot at making the NCAA Tournament, but according to USA TODAY Sports’ updated March Madness bracket, writers Erick Smith, Eddie Timanus, and Paul Myerberg predict Texas A&M at the 10-seed in a rematch vs. 7-seed SMU, feeling that the Aggies will finish the 2026 regular season with a strong enough resume to earn a spot in the field.
It’s still too early to know how the rest of the season will shake out, but after nearly defeating Tennessee, many, including myself, believe this team can compete with any team in the country.
Texas A&M will now head to Austin to face Texas on Saturday afternoon.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M is a 10-seed in USA TODAY Sports’ bracketology update
