One year after finishing second in the SEC and making the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2018, Texas A&M men’s basketball is ranked No.15 in the preseason AP poll for the first time since 2017.
The Aggies rank ahead of other programs like Kentucky, Texas, North Carolina and Baylor in the poll.
The Aggies, who started last year 8-5, surged in conference play, going 15-3 with wins over No. 20 Missouri, No. 15 Auburn and No. 11 Tennessee. A&M finished the season 25-10, losing to Penn State in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
The Maroon and White return almost their entire roster from last season, losing only guard Dexter Dennis to the NBA Draft.
Returning to Reed Arena this season are All-SEC selections junior Wade Taylor IV and senior Tyrece “Boots” Radford. Taylor was also named preseason SEC Player of the Year by Jon Rothstein of College Hoops Today.
In addition to the returning roster, the Aggies added junior guard Jace Carter from UIC and graduate Eli Lawrence from Middle Tennessee State. Carter was a second-team All-Missouri Valley conference selection last year, and led the Flames with 53 steals. Lawrence was a second-team All-Conference USA player last season, and led the Blue Raiders in points per game with 12.2.
The Aggies will play a charity exhibition against Texas Tech on Oct. 29 in Denton, and will open the season at home on Nov. 6 at Texas A&M-Commerce.