Texas A&M seeking to maintain momentum in rematch with Arkansas

Texas A&M finally proved exactly what it can do. Now the Aggies just have to prove they can do it again.

A&M (14-12, 6-8) posted its most impressive Southeastern Conference basketball outing last Saturday in an 81-68 thrashing of Auburn, in which the Aggies shot nearly 70-percent from the field and hit nine 3-point goals.

But was that a team that just got hot or a team about to start a hot streak? That answer will come on the road Wednesday night against an opponent on a hot streak of its own. Arkansas (20-7, 9-5) has won its last three, risen into a tie for fourth in the SEC standings and is considered a strong contender to land an NCAA Tournament berth.

The Razorbacks have averaged 85.6 points in those three wins. Guards Daryl Macon, Dusty Hannahs and Jaylen Barford and center Moses Kingsley all have scored in double-figures in that span.

“I think they’re hot,” A&M coach Billy Kennedy said on Tuesday. “They made 12 threes last game. The kid Macon, who hurt us from the free throw line, came in and had 30 points in their last game. That’s something, hopefully, we’re prepared for now. We’ve been pressed every which way possible. Hopefully, we can play with energy and handle the pressure and we’ll be alright.”

Clearly, the Razorbacks have made progress since rallying from a 12-point deficit to edge the Aggies, 62-60, at Reed Arena on Jan. 17.

The real issue is whether the Aggies have made enough progress since then to end an eight-game losing streak in Fayetteville. The Aggies haven’t won there since 1986.

Breaking that streak will require an inspired effort for 40 minutes – which is about six minutes more than the Aggies managed at home earlier this season.

In the first meeting, A&M led the Hogs, 48-36, with just under 13 minutes left and maintained a 56-50 lead with 6:56 to play. However, the Aggies were held scoreless for six minutes to suffer a loss that has largely defined their season – so close to success, but not good enough to finish.

“Turnovers. We let some of their players come off the bench and have a great impact,” A&M guard Admon Gilder said in identifying what went wrong in the first game with the Razorbacks. “This time we know what we need to do.”

The Aggies are hopeful the win against Auburn began a process of redefining them. Gilder, forward Robert Williams and center Tyler Davis were typically productive in that win, but the Aggies also got strong showings from Tonny Trocha-Morelos and J.C. Hampton, as well as Kobie Eubanks, who scored eight points off the bench.

The Aggies need that boost again. But even more importantly, Kennedy said, the Aggies will need a strong defensive effort.

"We’re going to need to score,” he said. "You get opportunities to score in transition against them. We need to make good decisions and put the ball in the hole. You’ve got to take good shots against them. If the game is in the 80s or 90s we’re in trouble.”