Bucky McMillan and Texas A&M Basketball heads to Tuscaloosa tonight as they take on Nate Oats and the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Aggies come in 17-4 overall, 7-1 in the SEC, and 35th in the NET rankings. Alabama enters the matchup with a 14-7 overall record, 4-4 in the SEC, and 22nd in the NET.
Both teams are in great spots to make the NCAA tournament field; however Alabama's non-conference wins put them in much better light according to bracketologists. The Aggies are currently projected around the 7-8 seed lines while the Crimson Tide are currently projected around the 5-6 seed lines. A win tonight would be massive for the Aggies' postseason seeding aspirations while a loss for the Tide could mean a much tougher path come March.
The Alabama matchup tonight should seem very familiar for the Aggies. The Crimson Tide and Georgia play very similar styles of basketball. They like to play with a lot of pace, and they can score in bursts. The Aggies will face a similar height disadvantage tonight and will need to hold their own on the glass if they want to limit second chance points for the Tide.
Texas A&M basketball can earn national respect with win over Alabama tonight
Defense will be a key component to tonight's matchup, and it all starts with containing two players: Labaron Philon and Aden Halloway. Philon is averaging 21.6 points per game while Halloway is averaging 17.1 per game.
Both players are shooting above 48% from the field and 35% from three. Don't forget about three-year professional basketball player, Charles Bediako, as well. Despite going 1-2 since being granted a TRO by an Alabama donor who has since had to recuse himself, Bediako is averaging 11 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game as well. Agee will definitely have his hands full down low.
In order for the Aggies to claim victory tonight they'll need to continue doing what they do best: forcing turnovers and distributing the ball. Led by Rashaun Agee, the Aggies have 5 active players averaging more than 10 points per game and have a great cast of supporting players wo have stepped up is massive ways. Zach Clemence, Jacari Lane, and Ali Dibba have had massive performances of late and will be the key to propelling the Aggies to a potential victory tonight.
The Aggies may be 8.5-point underdogs tonight, but if you've watched this team enough this year, you know this game will likely go down to the wire. The Aggies could make a national statement tonight or they could be given a massive reality check. Either way, we will likely be in for a very entertaining game. Check back tomorrow for my full reaction and analysis of tonight's matchup.