Texas A&M looks to build momentum going into the SEC tournament

Saving the best for last is a common approach.

If Texas A&M senior guard Quenton Jackson does, then Saturday night, the Aggies will see something truly spectacular.

Jackson likely plays his final game at Reed Arena when the Aggies (19-11, 8-9) complete the Southeastern Conference basketball regular season against Mississippi State (17-17, 8-9) at 7:30 p.m.

“It’s bittersweet,” said Jackson, a product of Los Angeles. “Texas A&M has shown a lot of love since I’ve been here. I’ve been completely appreciative of all of it. I’ve just got to go out there and do what I can do. My last game could be one of the better ones.”

That’s saying a lot.

Jackson, who leads A&M with a 14.4 scoring average, has averaged 21.8 points and has shot 61.8 percent over the last five games. He had 28 points in the Aggies’ 87-71 upset of No. 25 Alabama on Wednesday.

Clearly, he hasn’t saved anything. Except, perhaps, the Aggies’ season.

Cade Ingersoll, TexAgs

Henry Coleman III looks to make what may be his final game at Reed Arena a night to remember.

Jackson’s surge coincided with an A&M reboot in which the Aggies have won four of their last five after enduring an eight-game losing streak.

Once left for dead, the Lazarus-like Aggies are riding a wave of momentum that may lead to the NCAA Tournament.

“I never lost faith during all of it,” Jackson said. “Every loss, I kind of still had faith we can win it. We were right there. We could have won. I’m just glad we were able to turn it around despite all the negative things.”

And though Jackson has undoubtedly led A&M’s resurgence he has by no means been alone.

Junior guard Tyrece Radford has scored in double figures in eight of the last nine games, including 22 against Alabama.

“I think they’re kindred spirits in a lot of ways,” A&M coach Buzz Williams said. “Q is much more of an extrovert than Boots (Radford). They were raised very similarly. They’ve only known each other six months, but their mode of operation is very similar. There is beginning to be great synergy and symmetry between the two.

“I think the residual impact of how it’s helped Mo (Manny Obaseki). And how it’s helped IV (Wade Taylor). And how Henry (Coleman III) has found his niche. It’s not just those two. It’s also how they’re bringing up those other guys.”

The Aggies will need everyone playing at a high level to continue their recent success.

Williams said Mississippi State, which pushed Auburn into overtime before falling on Wednesday, offers a different challenge than Alabama did because the Bulldogs are inside-oriented.

Guard Iverson Molinar leads the Bulldogs with a 17.9 scoring average, but forwards Tolu Smith and Garrison Brooks both average in double figures scoring and more than six rebounds.

“(It’s) Completely different prep for Mississippi State than we’ve had in a long time,”  Williams said. “They’re averaging 22 post touches per game.

“No. 1 (Molinar) is a top-three scorer in the league. And they have dominant post players, so we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us in preparing for a completely different style of game than we’ve played in a long time.

“Their dominance in the paint, on the glass, is unlike anything we’ve seen in a while. We’ll have our hands full in order to have a chance.”

The Aggies won’t, however, change the starters or their style of play. They’ve had too much success to change.

“Just continue to do what we’ve been doing,” Taylor said. “Continue to play hard. Trusting each other. Just going out there doing the best we can do and being the best we can be.”

That would also seem to include continuing to get the basketball in Jackson’s hands.

“I try to feed off what happens in the game,” Jackson said. “The energy I bring and my teammates bring in the game allows not only just me but everybody else to play free.

“Boots had 22 (points), and Henry had 18 last game. That’s because of the energy we played with. If we continue to play like this it will be a good ending to the year.”