It's getting to be that time. The time of the season when total strangers walk up and ask, "Who's in your Final Four?" And while it's a fool's errand to back any team without knowing its actual bracket path, we can often spot the type of team most likely to make a run, even if it's outside the obvious picks. It's never too early to scout these so-called down-ballot contenders, especially with the knowledge that only once in 40 years have all four No. 1 seeds made it through to the last weekend. It is in that spirit that we present Texas A&M as a serious candidate for your consideration. The Aggies check a bunch of Final Four boxes. They are consistently good and tough defensively. They are experienced, with a core including eight seniors. They will have been tested by truly great competition, even if they finish outside the top four of the SEC. And they do the things that win close games (first in the nation in offensive rebounding, top 25 in getting to the foul line). Buzz Williams is a coach who has taken two other schools to the second weekend -- it seems plausible, if not probable, that Williams will make the third weekend at some point in his career. The Aggies are also one of only three teams -- joining Auburn and Alabama -- with double-digit wins against Q1 and Q2 already. If you're looking for a Final Four-type resume, that's not a bad place to start.
Love me some Texas A&M basketball.
Love me some Texas A&M basketball.
