On March 5, Texas A&M defeated Vanderbilt, 76-67, to clinch their first SEC championship title. The Aggies will head into March Madness with 24 wins under their belts, 13 of which were conference games. As the maroon and white enter the tournament, you’ll want to know the basics. Here is a crash course on March Madness and what it means at Texas A&M.
1. What is March Madness?
The A&M men’s team is a senior-heavy team with six members in their final year of collegiate play. The Ags move the ball with the best in the country, sporting the fourth highest assist average in the country. This teamwork and brotherhood came through in a recent interview with University of Kentucky News following A&M’s win over Kentucky on February 14. Freshman Tyler Davis was asked about his team and responded, “We can play with anybody. I know we can. I just believe in my teammates. I know we can compete with any team in America so whoever we step on the court with, in my mind, I’m ready to go to war with my teammates.” Hopefully this attitude and determination will show throughout the rest of the season.
3. What is A&M’s history with March Madness?
The Aggies have yet to win a men's basketball title, but they are well on their way to building a team that can. The men’s team has earned a tournament berth 12 times, with this year being the 13th. They have made an appearance in the Sweet Sixteen on three occasions, in 1967, 1980 and 2007.
4. How has the 12th Man played a role in the team’s success?
During the senior player’s speeches, they thanked the students and the community for the endless support and encouragement that they have provided this year. A&M has one of the most dedicated, involved student sections in the nation. The “Reed Rowdies” are the number one ranked student section in the SEC, and deservingly so. If the ball is in play, the students are on their feet. The constant “whoops,” chants, and yells that come from behind both baskets can be heard all over Aggieland. This season, the fans broke the school attendance record with 13,888 in attendance for the matchup against LSU. While the Aggies may have played their last season game at Reed, the 12th Man will continue to stand behind their team throughout the tournament.
