Texas A&M Moves Up Rankings Amid Clash with Mississippi State

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies aim to solidify their NCAA Tournament prospects with a pivotal match against the No. 21 Mississippi State Bulldogs on Tuesday, February 11, at 6 p.m. in Starkville, Mississippi. Texas A&M (20-5, 9-3 Southeastern Conference) enters the game riding a five-game winning streak, bolstered by a recent 69-61 victory over Arkansas.

In their latest matchup, Aggies guard Wade Taylor IV led the team with 18 points, playing a crucial role in a decisive surge in the last eight minutes. His performance highlighted the team’s resilience, particularly after a slow start. Taylor’s efforts were backed by Zhuric Phelps and Andersson Garcia, who contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively, while Garcia also pulled down seven rebounds.

“We were a bit slow in the beginning, so we tried to let our defense do the work,” Phelps said after the game. “If we are not scoring, then we know that we have to still do our part on defense. Getting those stops, we knew that our offense would come later in the game.”

The Aggies’ defense proved formidable against Arkansas, holding the Razorbacks to just 41.7 percent shooting and forcing 17 turnovers, demonstrating their commitment to a defensive strategy. Garcia, who assisted Taylor’s crucial late three-pointer, emphasized teamwork as a driving force behind their success.

“Sometimes, even if I have an open layup and I see one of my teammates at the 3-point line, wide open, I’m probably going to pass the ball to them,” Garcia explained. “I trust them a lot to make those shots.”

Looking ahead, Texas A&M is preparing for a challenging schedule that includes home games against top 25 opponents like No. 5 Tennessee and the top-ranked Auburn. With the NCAA Tournament looming, the Aggies’ current No. 6 seed projection reflects their strong positioning in the competition.

Meanwhile, Mississippi State (18-7, 6-6 SEC) is also looking to gain traction in the SEC standings following an 81-71 win over Ole Miss, which saw RJ Melendez lead the Bulldogs with 17 points. The Bulldogs have demonstrated offensive depth with several players contributing significantly to their scoring efforts. Coach Chris Jans praised his team’s resilience in the face of adversity.

“We handled the runs, and our kids just stuck together and found a way to get it done on the road,” Jans noted. “I’m super proud of the guys and how they responded in a tough environment against a good team.”

Both teams are aware that this clash carries implications for their postseason aspirations in a highly competitive SEC landscape. With ranked opponents populating their schedules, every game will be critical as they strive to secure favorable positions heading into March Madness.