Texas A&M anticipating South Carolina’s best effort in SEC battle

As it sits atop the Southeastern Conference standings, Texas A&M is expecting every opponent's best shot as it hosts South Carolina on Saturday afternoon in College Station, Texas.

The Aggies (15-4, 5-1 SEC) have won two straight following an 87-82 loss at Tennessee on Jan. 13. They cruised to an 88-68 victory over Mississippi State on Wednesday, committing just three turnovers, dishing out 18 assists and going 23-of-24 from the free-throw line.

This is a team that has found its stride after stumbling out of the gates. The Aggies lost their first two nonconference power contests to Oklahoma State and UCF to start the season 2-2.

Since then, though, they have played as a team poised for a fourth straight March Madness berth.

"There's an identity to who we are," Aggies coach Bucky McMillan said. "There's a belief in what we do."

For example, McMillan said, the team could start 0-for-15 from 3-point range, but they're not going to "stop shooting the ball."

"There's a belief we're going to be fine," he said.

The Aggies have the third-best scoring offense in the SEC, averaging 91.7 points per game. Rashaun Agee, who scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the victory over Mississippi State, is averaging a team-leading 13.8 points and 8.8 rebounds a game. Ruben Dominguez has emerged as a top 3-point threat, making an average of 3.3 per game.

A&M's offense will be challenged by South Carolina's defense, which has held opponents to 72 points per game.

The Gamecocks (11-8, 2-4) are bringing some momentum, too, after an 85-76 victory over Oklahoma on Tuesday. That ended a three-game losing skid.

Meechie Johnson shined in the victory over Oklahoma, scoring 18 of his 20 points in the second half. Kobe Knox had 18 points in a game in which the Gamecocks never trailed.

"I was happy for the guys. They were really excited to get a good conference win," South Carolina coach Lamont Paris said. "Just build some confidence for those guys as they move forward. Everyone needs confidence."

When these teams met last year in Columbia, South Carolina, A&M won 76-72. However, the Gamecocks have won the last four meetings in College Station.