The secret for success: Texas A&M vs Vanderbilt

Texas A&M Aggies guard Wade Taylor IV (4) drives against Tennessee Volunteers guard Zakai Zeigler (5) during the first half at Reed Arena.

The Aggies found themselves on the losing side of a hard-fought defensive battle against number five Tennessee on Saturday, with Wade Taylor IV scoring a team-high 18 points. Despite shooting just 4/15, A&M’s leader in PPG and assists will look to bounce back against the Commodores. Led by sharpshooter Jason Edwards, Vanderbilt will look to attack the Aggies with a simple game plan- capitalize on chances from behind the arc. Although ranked nineteenth in the country in defensive efficiency, the Aggies have not seen that same success from behind the three-point line this season. Coming in as the ninety-seventh-ranked team in opponent three-point percentage, A&M will need to tighten things up and not allow Vanderbilt to create chances from deep.

The last time these two squads matched up was nothing short of spectacular, with Vanderbilt just barely getting the upper hand with a wild game-winning shot from Ezra Manjon. Most recently, however, Vandy finds themselves heating up as they roll into College Station off a massive win against number twenty-four Ole Miss. It will be crucial for the Aggies to maintain a confident defensive presence throughout the entire game, as Vandy is a team that can turn it on and catch fire at any moment. A&M, however, has been struggling on the offensive end of the floor, averaging just under seventy-four points a game.

Vanderbilt Commodores guard Ezra Manjon (5) puts up a last-second shot against the Texas A&M Aggies down 72-73 during their game at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024.

Texas A&M currently finds themselves in a three-team tie for fourth place in the absolutely loaded SEC, with two red-hot teams in Tennessee and Missouri. Although Vanderbilt will look to keep its tournament hopes alive with a win at College Station, a victory for the Aggies would prove to be crucial as the battle for the SEC enters its final phases.

Texas A&M Aggies guard Zhuric Phelps (1) reacts during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Reed Arena.