Texas A&M defeats Ole Miss 80-77

The Texas A&M Aggies held off a late surge from the Mississippi Rebels to secure an 80-77 victory at Reed Arena, a crucial Q3 win for the Aggies. The Rebels, also known as the Ole Miss Rebels, came into this game on a five-game losing streak, averaging just 70.8 points per game over that stretch, while allowing 83.4 points per contest. In contrast, the Aggies had been struggling in their last five games, averaging 82 points per game but allowing 86.2 points per game, resulting in a 1-4 record over that period. Despite these trends, the Aggies were able to capitalize on their home-court advantage, outscoring the Rebels 47-39 in the second half to secure the win. Rashaun Agee led the way for the Aggies, scoring 17 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists, while AJ Storr paced the Rebels with 21 points.

As the game wore on, it became clear that the Aggies' ability to control the paint would be a key factor in determining the outcome. The Aggies outscored the Rebels 34-24 in the paint, with Agee and Zach Clemence combining for 24 points in the lane. Meanwhile, the Rebels struggled to find consistency on offense, shooting just 42.9% from the field and committing 14 turnovers. Despite these struggles, the Rebels were able to stay within striking distance, thanks in large part to the efforts of Storr and Malik Dia, who scored 20 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. With 5 minutes remaining in the game, the Rebels trailed by just 5 points, but the Aggies were able to close out the game with a 10-5 run, securing the 80-77 victory. The Aggies' win marked their 18th of the season, improving their record to 18-8, while the Rebels fell to 11-15.

The stat line doesn't fully capture the impact that Agee had on the game, as he hit several big shots in the second half to help the Aggies pull away. Meanwhile, Clemence and Marcus Hill combined for 28 points, providing a significant boost to the Aggies' offense. On the other hand, the Rebels' Ilias Kamardine struggled to find his rhythm, scoring just 12 points on 4-12 shooting. Despite this, the Rebels' bench outscored the Aggies' bench 23-15, providing a much-needed spark for the Rebels. With 2:30 remaining in the game, the Rebels trailed by just 3 points, but the Aggies were able to close out the game with a 5-2 run, securing the win.

The CHD Scout had predicted a 10.6-point victory for the Aggies, and while the actual margin was much closer, the prediction ultimately proved correct.

The model's prediction was likely based on the Aggies' strong home-court advantage, as well as their ability to control the paint and limit the Rebels' scoring opportunities. However, the Rebels' ability to stay in the game despite their struggles on offense was a reflection of their resilience and determination. The Rebels' recent form had been poor, with 5 consecutive losses, but they were able to push the Aggies to the limit, ultimately falling just short. With 1:15 remaining in the game, the Rebels trailed by just 2 points, but the Aggies were able to hit several key free throws to secure the win.

As the Aggies look to build on this win, they must focus on improving their defense, which has been a major concern over the last 5 games. The Aggies have allowed an average of 86.2 points per game over that stretch, resulting in a 1-4 record. However, with the win over the Rebels, the Aggies were able to improve their NET ranking to 43, a crucial factor in their tournament resume. The Aggies' Q3 win over the Rebels marked a significant step forward for the team, as they look to solidify their position in the tournament field. With 10 minutes remaining in the game, the Aggies led by just 4 points, but they were able to pull away with a 15-10 run, securing the win.

The win was a significant one for the Aggies, as it improved their NET ranking and provided a much-needed boost to their tournament resume. The Aggies' Q3 win over the Rebels marked a crucial step forward for the team, as they look to solidify their position in the tournament field. Meanwhile, the loss was a devastating one for the Rebels, as it dropped their NET ranking to 92 and made their tournament hopes even more unlikely. The Rebels' Q1 loss to the Aggies marked a significant setback for the team, as they look to try and turn their season around. With the loss, the Rebels fell to 11-15 on the season, and their tournament hopes appear to be slipping away. The Aggies, on the other hand, improved to 18-8, and their tournament prospects are looking increasingly bright. The Aggies' win marked their 10th win in their last 15 games, and they want to build on this momentum as they head into the final stretch of the season.