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The next task for Texas A&M seems simple enough.
Follow up the most impressive victory of the basketball season by avoiding what would be the worst loss.
The Aggies (20-10, 10-7) are riding high after a stunning 96-85 Southeastern Conference victory over Kentucky. They figure to continue their surge against struggling (15-15, 3-14) on Saturday at 5 p.m. CT in Baton Rouge.
If only it were that simple.
Though LSU shares last place in the SEC standings with South Carolina, A&M coach Bucky McMillan pointed out the Tigers aren’t a pushover.
Indeed, A&M edged LSU 75-72 in January. Also, LSU has a win over Missouri, which defeated A&M, and endured close losses to Kentucky, Texas and Arkansas.
“They’re as good as anybody when they’re playing well,” McMillan said. “They’ve been in a lot of these, if not every single one of these games.
“Remember, the one here could have gone either way. When they’re playing good, they’re good. They’ve got size. They’ve got shooting. They’re well-coached.
“It’ll be a tough one.”
Just like the first win over LSU.
In that game, LSU forward Mike Nwoko scored 21, and guard Max MacKinnon had 20.
They remain the Tigers’ primary offensive threats, along with forward Marquel Sutton, who averages 13.2 points. He only had three against the Aggies.
A&M was led by Rashaun Agee, who posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Also, Rubén Dominguez scored 13 points. A dozen came on four shots from behind the arc.
However, that was half the number of treys A&M managed. The Aggies only converted eight of 28 from long range.
They’ll likely need to be more productive from 3-point range this time.
Fortunately, the Aggies broke out of a slump vs. Kentucky. They made 13-of-28 treys on Tuesday. Dominguez hit five. Rylan Griffen made four. Zach Clemence had three, and Pop Isaacs hit a big one, too.
“We need guys like Rylan and Rubén trying to hunt shots,” McMillan said. “And Pop and Zach … when you have them hunting shots this time of year, I think that makes us the best version of ourselves because we are a 3-point shooting team.”
The Aggies could be a No. 5 seed in next week’s SEC Tournament if everything works out right on Saturday.
A&M is in a four-way tie with Vanderbilt, Missouri and Kentucky for fifth place in the SEC.
An A&M victory over LSU, combined with losses by Vanderbilt (at Tennessee) and Missouri (vs. Arkansas), would clinch the No. 5 seed. By upsetting Florida, Kentucky could stay tied with A&M in that scenario. But A&M would still be seeded ahead of the Wildcats by virtue of the win over them.
It would also enhance their NCAA Tournament resume. The consensus opinion seems to be that the Aggies clinched a spot in March Madness by beating Kentucky.
Agee doesn’t think the Aggies should feel secure.
“I think we shouldn’t look at any polls or opinions on what’s going on,” he said. “I think we should come in with the same mindset every game. Be focused. Every game matters.”
