Texas A&M Gains Momentum in Coaches Poll as SEC Race Tightens Nationwide

Texas A&M may not have cracked the top 25 in the latest Coaches Poll, but the Aggies’ presence is still being felt nationally - and that matters more than it might seem in late January.

As college basketball enters the grind of conference play, the newest Coaches Poll reflects just how crowded and volatile the landscape has become.

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While Illinois surged back into the top 10 and Texas Tech climbed to No. 11, Texas A&M quietly continued to receive votes, a signal that the Aggies remain firmly on the national radar despite the SEC’s depth and week-to-week chaos.

For Bucky McMillan's team, receiving votes at this stage of the season is more than a consolation prize. It’s an acknowledgment that Texas A&M is positioned just outside the national conversation and well within striking distance if it strings together quality wins.

In today’s college basketball environment, where resume-building is everything, being part of the “next tier” matters for both perception and postseason positioning.

The Aggies’ profile fits that mold.

Texas A&M has shown the ability to compete physically, defend at a high level, and win in multiple styles, traits that coaches value when casting their ballots. While flashier teams grab headlines with gaudy scoring performances, steady programs like A&M often climb polls the old-fashioned way: consistency and toughness in league play.

The broader poll also highlights how unforgiving the margin for error is. Purdue dropped after back-to-back conference losses.

Houston slid despite being one of the nation’s most consistent programs. That volatility creates opportunity. For teams like Texas A&M, a strong week can mean a significant jump - not just in votes, but in credibility.

Another key takeaway for Aggie fans is how national voters are rewarding teams that beat quality opponents. Illinois’ rise was fueled by a signature win over Purdue. Texas Tech’s climb followed a victory over Houston.

As February approaches, the Aggies’ focus remains internal, but the external recognition is growing. Receiving votes now keeps Texas A&M within arm’s reach of the top 25, where a breakthrough could come quickly with the right stretch of results.

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For a program with postseason aspirations, that’s exactly where you want to be.

Jan. 26 Coaches Poll

(First-place votes in parentheses)