Texas A&M's 'Three Rs' will again be key to success vs. Mississippi State

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The foundation of education is the three Rs — reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic. Obviously, spelling was omitted.

But when Texas A&M schooled Texas, 74-70, in a not-as-close-as-it-seems Southeastern Conference basketball victory last Saturday, the foundation was provided by the three Rs of Rubén (Dominguez), Rylan (Griffen) and Rashaun (Agee).

That trio figures to again be key when the Aggies (14-4, 4-1) aim to maintain momentum on Wednesday night in an 8 p.m. CT SEC confrontation with Mississippi State (10-8, 2-3) at Reed Arena.

“They could beat any team in the country because they’re good enough on defense, and they have a player (guard Josh Hubbard) that can just literally get going and score 45 points on you,” Texas A&M coach Bucky McMillan said about Mississippi State. “We know they’re capable. All the Aggies should know they’re a very capable team and should be ready to line up ready to fight together and get a win.”

Getting another win may be largely dependent on A&M’s three Rs. That trio has been the foundation of A&M’s surprising success all season. Dominguez has a team-leading 13.6 scoring average. Agee averages 13.3 points. Griffen averages 11.1.

Agee, in particular, has had to carry a major burden since forward Mackenzie Mgbako was lost for the season to injury. Agee leads A&M in rebounding and does the majority of his scoring in the paint despite typically facing taller and bigger opponents.

He’s listed at 6-foot-8, but last week, coach Bucky McMillan revealed Agee was measured at 6-foot-5-and-a-quarter with his shoes off.

Agee had 17 points and 11 rebounds in the victory over Texas while typically matched up against the Longhorns’ 7-foot center Matas Vokietaitis, who was held to three points in the second half.

It was Agee’s eighth double-double this season.

“What’s he’s done to get these double-doubles with literally nobody out there that you’d consider a great rebounder when Mackenzie went out … it’s just sheer will,” McMillan said.

Will Huffman, TexAgs

Of Rashaun Agee’s eight double-doubles, three have come in SEC play.

When Mgbako was lost, McMillan asked Agee if A&M could hold up on the boards against SEC competition.

“He said, ‘We will because I will get the rebounds,’” McMillan said. “That’s the mindset you want of a player. Not like it’s someone else’s job. It’s ‘I’ll get the rebound.’”

Agee quite literally faces another tall task. He’ll be challenged by Mississippi State 7-foot center Quincy Ballard, who averages 6.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots.

Agee has a list of attributes to explain his success in the paint and on the boards against taller opponents.

“Quicker, more athletic, probably stronger,” he said. “Also, understanding the angles and where I’m going to score and my teammates are going to get me the ball, how the ball is going to come off the rim to rebound it. Just little things like that.”

Speaking of little things, Hubbard — who is generously listed at 6-foot — is Mississippi State’s primary threat.

He has averaged 24.8 points in five SEC games. He had 38 points in a victory over Texas. He had 30 in a win over Oklahoma.

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Josh Hubbard scored a season-high 38 points in State’s overtime victory at Texas on Jan. 3.

Most recently, though, he was limited to 13 points by Ole Miss. Not surprisingly, the Bulldogs lost, 68-67.

Hubbard also has a history of success against A&M. Last season, he scored 25 points in a 70-54 victory over the Aggies. Two years ag,o he had 24 in a 75-69 loss to A&M.

“He can beat you by himself,” Griffen warned. “We’re very, very aware of that.

“We know he’s going to get (shots) up. If it’s one of those nights where he’s making everything, it’s going to be a long night for us.

“Hopefully, that doesn’t happen. We’re going to do whatever we can to make it tough around him, but we’ve also got to know that he’s going to make some tough shots.”