Florida Gators center Micah Handlogten (3) reaches to block an attempt from Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Florida Gators center Micah Handlogten (3) reaches to block an attempt from Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) dunks the ball in the first half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) dunks the ball in the first half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) reacts after the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) reacts after the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) battles Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) for a rebound in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) battles Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) for a rebound in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanFlorida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) reaches for a rebound as he battles Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) in the first half as the Longhorns play the Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) reaches for a rebound as he battles Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) in the first half as the Longhorns play the Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) eyes the hoop asFlorida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) rushes to defend in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) eyes the hoop asFlorida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) rushes to defend in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) puts the ball up as Florida Gators center Micah Handlogten (3) and forward Thomas Haugh (10) defend in the first half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) puts the ball up as Florida Gators center Micah Handlogten (3) and forward Thomas Haugh (10) defend in the first half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) shoots for three in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) shoots for three in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) puts the ball up in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) puts the ball up in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) celebrates taking the lead over Florida in the second half as the Longhorns play the Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) celebrates taking the lead over Florida in the second half as the Longhorns play the Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) waits for a play in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) waits for a play in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) battles defense from Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) in the first half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) battles defense from Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) in the first half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) dunks the ball in the first half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) dunks the ball in the first half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller shouts to his team in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller shouts to his team in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) battles Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) in the first half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) battles Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) in the first half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) battles for a rebound with Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) and center Micah Handlogten (3) in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) battles for a rebound with Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) and center Micah Handlogten (3) in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns forward Camden Heide (5) puts the ball up as Florida Gators center Micah Handlogten (3) defends in the first half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns forward Camden Heide (5) puts the ball up as Florida Gators center Micah Handlogten (3) defends in the first half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) is announced in the starting line-up in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) is announced in the starting line-up in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Pom performs during a timeout in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Pom performs during a timeout in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) and Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) watch a shot drop in during the first half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) and Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) watch a shot drop in during the first half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) deflects a ball form Florida Gators guard Isaiah Brown (20) in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) deflects a ball form Florida Gators guard Isaiah Brown (20) in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas gathers on the court ahead of the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas gathers on the court ahead of the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) comes out of the game in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) comes out of the game in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns forward Nic Codie (10) shoots over Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns forward Nic Codie (10) shoots over Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanSigns read Texas slogans during a timeout in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Signs read Texas slogans during a timeout in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) waits for his team to set up a play in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) waits for his team to set up a play in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanFlorida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) blocks an attempt from Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) blocks an attempt from Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) shoots for three points in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) shoots for three points in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanFlorida Gators head coach Todd Golden coaches his team during a timeout in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden coaches his team during a timeout in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) looks for a way past defense from Florida Gators guard Xaivian Lee (1) in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) looks for a way past defense from Florida Gators guard Xaivian Lee (1) in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) brings the ball down the court for Texas in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) brings the ball down the court for Texas in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) defends against an attempt from Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) defends against an attempt from Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) comes out the game in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) comes out the game in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) puts the ball up as Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) defends in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) puts the ball up as Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) defends in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller talks to his team during a timeout in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller talks to his team during a timeout in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) puts the ball up as Florida Gators guard Urban Klavzar (7) leaps to defend in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) puts the ball up as Florida Gators guard Urban Klavzar (7) leaps to defend in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns forward Nic Codie (10) battles Florida Gators guard Xaivian Lee (1) and guard Boogie Fland (0) in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns forward Nic Codie (10) battles Florida Gators guard Xaivian Lee (1) and guard Boogie Fland (0) in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) drives to the hoop as Florida Gators guard Isaiah Brown (20) defends in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) drives to the hoop as Florida Gators guard Isaiah Brown (20) defends in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) pushes past Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) to defend against guard Xaivian Lee (1) in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) pushes past Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) to defend against guard Xaivian Lee (1) in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) looks for a way through defense from Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) and center Micah Handlogten (3) in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) looks for a way through defense from Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) and center Micah Handlogten (3) in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns guard Simeon Wilcher (7) drives past Florida Gators guard Urban Klavzar (7) in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns guard Simeon Wilcher (7) drives past Florida Gators guard Urban Klavzar (7) in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) battles Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) for a rebound in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) battles Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) for a rebound in the first half of the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanFlorida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) runs to speak to his coaches after fouling in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) runs to speak to his coaches after fouling in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) heads back out to the court after a timeout in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) heads back out to the court after a timeout in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) eyes the hoop as Florida Gators center Micah Handlogten (3) rushes to defend in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) eyes the hoop as Florida Gators center Micah Handlogten (3) rushes to defend in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanFlorida Gators guard Xaivian Lee (1) talks to a teammate after getting called for a foul in the second half as the Texas Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Florida Gators guard Xaivian Lee (1) talks to a teammate after getting called for a foul in the second half as the Texas Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) reacts after the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) reacts after the Longhorns’ 84-71 loss to the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanFlorida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) takes a moment after a foul in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) takes a moment after a foul in the second half as the Longhorns play the Florida Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller looks back at his bench as Florida pull away in the second half as the Longhorns play the Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller looks back at his bench as Florida pull away in the second half as the Longhorns play the Gators at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 25, 2026.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

The last time Texas basketball faced off against Texas A&M, “Bucky Ball” was all the rage.

With a term coined in recognition of first-year Aggies coach Bucky McMillan and his preferred style of play, Bucky Ball embraces uncompromising pressure, all-out effort, a deep bench and a frenetic pace of play that seems relentless to the A&M faithful and almost reckless to those outside of Aggieland.

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And it took the SEC by storm; through the first half of SEC play, Texas A&M soared to first place in the league standings with a 7-1 record that included a 74-70 win Jan. 17 at Texas.

“We learned that they’re a hard-playing team,” Texas guard Chendall Weaver said earlier this week. “But I feel like if we just take care of the ball and make the simple plays, we’ll be alright.”

However, the Aggies have gone just 2-5 over their past seven games with narrow wins over Oklahoma and Ole Miss, two of the handful of league teams without any NCAA Tournament hopes. If Texas (17-11, 8-7) wants to give the Aggies (19-9, 9-6) another shove down the SEC standings in Saturday’s rematch in College Station, Longhorns coach Sean Miller said his team will have to handle the Aggies’ disruptive defense better. In Austin, the Longhorns shot just 41.5% from the floor.

Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) gets the ball up under defense from Texas A&M Aggies forward Jamie Vinson (4) during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.

Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) gets the ball up under defense from Texas A&M Aggies forward Jamie Vinson (4) during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

MORE: Florida coach says Texas is a scary NCAA Tournament foe (but will Horns get in)? | Golden

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TEXAS AT TEXAS A&M

When/where: 3 p.m. Saturday in College Station.

TV/radio: ESPN2; 1300 AM, 1370 AM, 98.1 FM.

“Their pressure, whether it be full court or in the half court or going zone and mixing it up, is something that I think you really have to deal with,” Miller said. “And no matter who you are, what team you are, they force you to play against their style.”

Styles make fights, but so do the stakes. And there’s plenty on the line for two teams that share the same space when it comes to postseason hopes. Texas A&M is tied for fifth in the SEC with Missouri, Vanderbilt and Kentucky. Those teams are one game ahead of Texas, currently in sole possession of ninth place. At the upcoming SEC Tournament March 11-15 in Nashville, the top eight teams receive a first-round bye.

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Texas A&M Aggies head coach Bucky McMillan talks to Texas A&M Aggies guard Ruben Dominguez (9) before he subs into the game during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.

Texas A&M Aggies head coach Bucky McMillan talks to Texas A&M Aggies guard Ruben Dominguez (9) before he subs into the game during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

A&M and Texas also share similar NCAA Tournament projections, which means a win could mean the difference between a visit to Dayton, Ohio, for a First Four game or a direct flight to a first-round matchup in the NCAA Tournament. In his latest tournament projections, ESPN college basketball analyst Joe Lunardi placed the Aggies and Longhorns as his final two tournament teams not in the First Four.

Miller prefers to focus on A&M and the other two regular-season games on the Texas schedule instead of such tournament talk, but he did say after Wednesday’s 84-71 home loss to No. 7 Florida that “we certainly are good enough, not only to be there, but to get there and be a tough out.”

Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller watches the game during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.

Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller watches the game during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

“We really are,” he said. “Our ability to score speaks for itself. But we’re not there yet. I think we’ll only go as far as our defensive presence, improvement, toughness and execution takes us. Not saying we have to be the best defensive team in SEC. That would be impossible. But we’ve got to be better, and that’s up to us, me in particular, to get our group there these few last games.”

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Defense failed Texas in its last contest against the Aggies, especially in the second half. Texas A&M shot 60% from the floor after halftime while fending off a late Longhorns rally led by Dailyn Swain and Jordan Pope, who each had 17 points.

“We struggled to defend them,” Miller said. “We broke down, and they did a great job in that game. So, we have to be better this time around.”

Texas (17-11, 8-7 SEC) at Texas A&M (19-9, 9-6): How to watch

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Where: Reed Arena in College Station 

TV/radio: ESPN2; 1300 AM, 98.1 FM