This Aggies X-Factor Keeps NCAA Tournament Hopes Alive
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The Texas A&M Aggies beat the Ole Miss Rebels in Oxford on Saturday 86-60 to finish the regular season on a three-game win streak. The nationally televised game proved to be a strong showing for the "bubble team" looking for an invitation to the NCAA Tournament.
It also illuminated the Aggies' X-Factor: board domination. The SEC leaders in rebound margin, the Aggies outrebounded the Rebels, 50-21. The Aggies ruled the glass with much thanks to SEC rebounding leader and Sixth-Man of the Year candidate Andersson Garcia's 13 rebounds,
Garcia's 13-rebound performance vs. the Rebels broke the school record for rebounds in conference play. With 180 total rebounds, Garcia broke the nearly 60-year-old record of 178 by All-American John Beasley in 1966.
Of the 68 teams who will punch their ticket to play in the tournament, Texas A&M (19-13, 9-9 SEC) still have a chance to secure their spot in the Big Dance.
The Aggies' resume includes home wins over Mississippi State, Tennessee, Kentucky and Florida plus a neutral-floor victory over Iowa State and the road win against Ole Miss.
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Now, the Aggies will shift focus to the Southeastern Conference Tournament in Nashville, Tennessee on Wed, Mar 13 to Sun, Mar 17.
Texas A&M is the No. 7 seed in the SEC Tournament, meaning a first-round bye and a Thursday matchup with the team they just routed on Saturday, the No. 10 seed Ole Miss Rebels.
The conference tournament is a big challenge, considering there are projected to be seven teams from the SEC Conference that make the NCAA Tournament, the second-most out of any conference (9, Big-12 Conference).
Selection Sunday is March 17th with the First Four on March 19-20 and the First Round on March 21-22.
The Big Dance concludes in the NCAA Championship Game on April 8. The UConn Huskies currently are the favorites to win the crown. UConn defeated San Diego State 76-59 in the final last year to take the 2023 NCAA title. Florida (2006 and 2007) is the last team to win back-to-back titles.