Scrappers and warriors required as Texas A&M hosts Oklahoma

Click here to view Texas A&M’s Friday press conference.

Peak performance is the goal of all teams. It’s often reached by about the halfway point of a season. Hence the term “midseason form.”

Texas A&M is 12-3. The Aggies have won 10 out of their last 11 games. They’ve posted consecutive hard-fought Southeastern Conference victories over LSU and Auburn.

The Aggies may have reached peak performance. Or have they just given a peek of how they’re capable of performing?

Coach Bucky McMillan isn’t sure.

“It’s hard to know,” he said. “You really don’t know. I do know that we’re playing good right now. But, you know, the way we are (playing) now… Still not good enough to get where we want to go. So, we’ve got to keep going.”

The Aggies aim to keep their surge going when they host Oklahoma (11-4, 4-1) in a 2:30 p.m. CT clash on Saturday at Reed Arena.

A&M hasn’t lost since losing a four-point lead in the final minute and falling in overtime to SMU over a month ago.

The Aggies have made dramatic improvement since enduring an 87-63 loss at Oklahoma State in the third game of the season.

“I know this: We’re a true team now,” McMillan said. “You can tell these players out there are playing for each other and Texas A&M. We have an identity. When you turn on the game, you know what to expect. You’re going to see some scrappers and some warriors out there.”

The list of scrappers and warriors is led by guard Rubén Dominguez, who averages a team-high 13.7 points, and forward Rashaun Agee, who averages 13.1 points and 8.3 rebounds.

Also, guard Pop Isaacs has flourished of late. Isaacs, who averages 10.1 points, has averaged 15 points and hit 13-of-25 shots from 3-point range in the last four games. He had 21 points and converted four 3-pointers in a 90-88 victory over Auburn on Tuesday.

But Isaacs said his recent hot streak is a component of how the overall team has come together.

Will Huffman, TexAgs

Pop Isaacs has averaged 15 points and hit 13-of-25 shots from 3-point range in the last four games.

“As time goes on, the practices go on, the more games are being played, guys are getting more comfortable in their roles,” he said. “That’s what happens when the season goes on. Things kind of start to come together. We have a really good group of unselfish guys that are buying into their roles and what it takes to be successful to this team.

“Just got to keep coming in with a mindset of getting better every day. We’re not the most talented team in this league. We know that. It’s going to take a certain effort level for us to win on a night-in and night-out basis.”

McMillan said the Aggies will need to maintain their effort level to overcome Oklahoma. Earlier this week, the Sooners lost to Mississippi State, 72-53.

However, OU won its SEC opener over Ole Miss by 16 points. The Sooners also toppled Oklahoma State in December.

They’re led by guards Nijel Pack (15.9 PPG) and Xzayvier Brown (15.7) and forward Tae Davis (12.5).

“They didn’t play their best in their last game (vs. Mississippi State),” McMillan said. “But they’ve got great players. It’s a tough, tough matchup. It’ll be anybody’s game just like the last two games.”

McMillan suggested the key to be the same scrappers and warriors they were in the last two games.

“We’ve just got to stay true to who we are,” he said. “Because that’s going to give us the best chance to have the long-term success that we want this season and for all the seasons to come.”