Texas A&M basketball announces full nonconference slate for upcoming season

Texas A&M basketball announces full nonconference slate for 2024-2025; Aggies set to participate in several high-profile matchups

Texas A&M basketball learned the hard way three years ago that the NET rankings—not to mention the selection committee—can be unforgiving when it comes to judging weaker nonconference slates. Since that point, the Aggies have made their scheduling of highly-regarded teams in the early part of the season an unmistakable part of their philosophy.

It has paid off for two years in a row, now, too. The Ags have qualified for back to back tourneys, no doubt buoyed by their strong schedules in those years. Despite extended rough patches in both seasons, the Ags have muscled their way into the tourney field on the strength of their schedule.

This upcoming year looks to be no different, as the Aggies are staring down the barrel of another loaded nonconference slate. Fans had received confirmation beforehand of the massive matchups against Purdue and Ohio State, for example, but we now see the full slate of teams that the Aggies will be facing.

The headliners here are Wake, OSU, Tech, and Purdue. However, don't miss the Players Era Festival line right there in the middle. That's an extremely intimidating field—Alabama, Creighton, Houston, Note Dame, Oregon, and San Diego State are all included—so the Aggies are doubtless bound to get another few big matchups on their plate out in Vegas.

The SEC is no joke when it comes to hoops, but if the Ags can emerge from this stretch with a good-looking record, they will be positively positioned early on for a tournament spot. We've seen those extended slumps before from Buzz's squads, but a strong record against a schedule like this means they'd have a lot of goodwill built up come Selection Sunday.