SEC basketball schedule reveals tough February for Aggies

The SEC has released the 2019-20 conference schedule and the Aggies look to have a tough February slate. To be realistic, Buzz and company have a challenging first year ahead of them, but starting February 1, the difficulty is likely to increase dramatically.

The first day in February is a road game at Georgia, where Tom Crean has assembled a top-tier recruiting class. The second and third weeks in February will bring Florida and Georgia to Reed Arena. The following four games will be on the road at Alabama, where from what I've been told, new Bama head coach Nate Oats has his team practicing harder than any Alabama team has practiced in recent history. They may not be great, but they will put up a fight against any team they face. That game is followed by a Mississippi State team, who probably won't be as good as last season, but will still be a threat.

Lia Musgrave, TexAgs

The Aggies will open up SEC play in the road against Arkansas on January 4.

Kentucky then travels to Reed Arena, and while the Ags only have to face the Wildcats once in the regular season, Big Blue Nation is never an easy matchup for anyone. The last game in February is on the road in Baton Rouge, where the Tigers will most likely still be led by Will Wade and company.

Overall, the SEC is very unpredictable this season. Auburn, Florida and Kentucky will be good. Mississippi State, LSU, Tennessee and South Carolina each lost impact players but brought in potential difference-makers for the upcoming season. Georgia's recruiting class makes them good on paper from the jump, and Bama has a newfound energy and leadership, much like the Aggies. Missouri, Vanderbilt and Arkansas are all toss-ups as to how good (or bad) they will be, but like we've seen in the past, one change on a roster could mean all the difference.

The layout of the schedule as a whole is better than expected as the Ags only have to play Auburn, Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee once. And while no game is a walk in the park, you have to think it's better for A&M to face Arkansas, Missouri and South Carolina twice than it would be to face any of the four previously mentioned.

If there's anything to be certain of heading into this basketball season, it’s this: Buzz will have his team ready to compete. That won’t equate to a win in every game, but it will mean growth from one game to the next. This will be an enlightening season and one you should keep your eyes on. This group is going to surprise some teams and fans alike, and whether they win or lose, they will be interesting to watch.