Texas A&M Beats Ole Miss, But Loses SEC Title Hopes After Alabama Win

The Aggies will not have a chance to clinch the SEC title on Saturday.

Texas A&M men's basketball can still hold its head high following an impressive season under Buzz Williams. It just won't end with an SEC regular season title. 

With Alabama's come-from-behind win Wednesday night against Auburn, the Crimson Tide have clinched the SEC title for the first time since 2021. The Aggies still will have a chance to clinch the No. 2-seed in the SEC Tournament next week in Nashville, Tenn. with a win over Alabama on Saturday or with a loss by Kentucky. 

The Aggies have already clinched a double bye entering the conference tournament next week. 

A&M handled its business to remain in the running for the conference regular season title thanks to a 69-61 win over Ole Miss. Tyrece "Boots" Radford led the team with 13 points, while Andre Gordon finished with a team-high eight rebounds. 

The Aggies (22-8, 14-3 SEC) impressed in conference play despite a sluggish start in non-conference. They won six straight through late-January and early February, including picking up a crucial 68-63 win over No. 11 Tennessee at Reed Arena. 

As for the Tide, their season went better than expected on the hardwood. Fourth-year coach Nate Oats helped Alabama lead the nation in rebounds (44.3 per game) and the SEC in scoring (83.6 points per game). 

On Wednesday, the Tide overcame a 17-point deficit to clinch the conference title at Coleman Coliseum. They are now expected to clinch a No. 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament later this month. Currently, ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunaradi has Alabama as the top seed in the South Region

A&M is currently projected as the No. 8-seed in the Midwest Region and will face No. 9-seed Illinois. Should the Aggies win, they likely would face No. 1-seed Houston in the Round of 32. 

Tip-off from Reed Arena is set for noon. 


Subscribe to the Texas A&M Aggies Daily Blitz Podcast!

Follow AllAggies.com on Facebook and Twitter!

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Aggies? Click Here to Subscribe to the All Aggies Newsletter

Want even more Texas A&M Aggies News? Check out the SI.com team page here


Published
Cole Thompson
COLE THOMPSON

Cole Thompson is a sports writer and columnist covering the NFL and college sports for SI's Fan Nation. A 2016 graduate from The University of Alabama, follow him on Twitter @MrColeThompson