Urgency fuels Texas A&M's fight for a crucial SEC win against a surging Missouri.
Texas A&M returns to Reed Arena on Wednesday night with something it hasn’t faced all season ... urgency.
After back-to-back losses, the Aggies will try to avoid their first three-game skid of the year when they host a surging Missouri team in a pivotal SEC matchup.
The Aggies sit at 17-6 overall and 7-3 in conference play, but Saturday’s 86-67 home loss to Florida was a jolt. It marked the first time Texas A&M had been beaten by more than five points in league action and only the second time all season it failed to reach 70 points.
A&M shot just 30.6 percent from the field and endured a brutal stretch of 23 consecutive missed shots, including opening the game 1-for-27.
Head coach Bucky McMillan struck a calm but direct tone afterward, emphasizing patience and perspective as the season enters its most important stretch.
"We can learn more from this game than a lot of games," Texas A&M coach Bucky McMillan said. "Just understand we've got to stay the course and not get too antsy. Our destiny is right in front of us."
Guards Pop Isaacs and Marcus Hill each scored 17 points in the loss, and Isaacs echoed the team’s belief that adversity won’t derail a group that has already exceeded expectations.
"I believe in this team," Issacs said. "We did a good job staying together earlier in the year when we went through that adversity. I have no doubt this team will stick together, do this and find our swagger back."
Missouri arrives in College Station with momentum. The Tigers improved to 16-7 overall and 6-4 in the SEC after a convincing 78-59 road win at South Carolina.
Jayden Stone led the way with 22 points, while Mark Mitchell posted a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double. T.O. Barrett added 14 points as Missouri controlled the game from start to finish.
Under head coach Dennis Gates, the Tigers have quietly rebuilt their NCAA Tournament name. Wednesday’s game represents a valuable Quadrant 1 opportunity, one of several that Missouri still has remaining.
For Texas A&M, this is about reestablishing identity. When the Aggies defend, rebound, and play with pace, they remain one of the SEC’s toughest outs. Missouri’s recent surge makes this more than just a bounce-back game ... it’s a measuring stick for both teams as March looms.