With an exhibition game against Houston looming on Oct. 27, Texas A&M basketball gained some early steam Monday coming in at a preseason No. 13 ranking in the 2024-2025 AP preseason men’s college basketball poll.
The Aggies finished last season with a 21-15 record that included a deep run in the SEC Tournament which ended in a loss to Florida on March 16. The upcoming contest will be a rematch of A&M and the Cougars, having remnants of the hard fought, high-octane battle which resulted in Houston moving on to the Sweet Sixteen. Statement wins against then-No. 6 Tennessee and Kentucky add fuel to A&M’s regard as one of the top programs in the country.
While the record speaks for itself, more impactful than that is this A&M roster. The most notable returning starter for the Maroon and White is graduate guard Wade Taylor IV. Capable of firing the three-point shot from virtually all over the court, Taylor IV commands the A&M unit that is projected to return four staple players of last season, including graduate forward Henry Coleman III, senior F Andersson Garcia and senior G Manny Obaseki.
A&M will have to live up to the hype to brave a daunting conference schedule that will pit two bitter rivals in the Aggies and Longhorns together for the first time since 2019. Factoring in competition against Arkansas, Alabama and Auburn, the Aggies will have their work cut for them.
Coverage of the Oct. 27 against Houston can be found on 12thMan.com at 6 p.m.
