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Texas A&M claims 97-66 win in season opener vs. Alabama State: Instant reaction
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- Texas A&M claims 97-66 win in season opener vs. Alabama State: Instant reaction
Texas A&M men's hoops began their 2026-27 campaign with a dominant 97-66 win over Alabama State at Reed Arena on Tuesday night.
Head coach Bucky McMillan tipped off his second season in Bryan-College Station, Texas, after leading the Aggies to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and a fourth-place finish in the SEC in his first year at the helm. His high-paced, volume-shooting style of basketball ranked among the top-15 teams in the nation in scoring offense (86.1 points), assists (18.1), 3-pointers (10.8) and bench points (35.6).
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That high-volume shooting was displayed with a new-look squad featuring various talented transfers, including guard PJ Haggerty, who led the team with 22 points. Texas A&M shot 48.4% from the field and 34.8% from three. Bucky Ball's suffocating defensive style of basketball forced 25 total turnovers from the Hornets, including five steals.
Texas A&M will host Northern Kentucky at Reed Arena on Friday, Nov. 6. Tipoff against the Norse is slated for 7 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
Follow along here for live updates, scores, highlights, and analysis throughout Tuesday night's season opener.
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FINAL: Texas A&M 97 | Alabama State 66
10:22 PM ET, November 3 2026
The Aggies claim their season opener over Alabama State, 97-66, at Reed Arena on Tuesday night. Haggerty led the way with 22 points in his first contest as an Aggie, followed by Pope with 17. Texas A&M shot 49.2% from the field and 34.8% from beyond the arc, while forcing 24 turnovers, including five steals.
2H: Texas A&M 82 | Alabama State 62
10:14 PM ET, November 3 2026
Texas A&M has a commanding 20-point lead at the media timeout with 3:40 left in the contest. The Aggies are shooting 44.4% from the field and 30.0% from range. Haggerty leads the team with 22 points, followed by Pope with 17.
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2H: Texas A&M 70 | Alabama State 54
09:56 PM ET, November 3 2026
Texas A&M has three players in double digits, but Alabama State continues to fight. James leads the Hornets with 16 points, as the Aggies look to close out a season-opening win. Haggerty has hit the 20-point mark with 7:39 left in the contest.
2H: Texas A&M 52 | Alabama State 34
09:28 PM ET, November 3 2026
How about Haggerty? The nation's leading returning scorer has 15 in the contest and has helped Texas A&M extend its lead to 18 points to open the second half, including an 8-0 run over the last 1:12.
End of 1H: Texas A&M 44 | Alabama State 29
09:07 PM ET, November 3 2026
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It hasn't been the cleanest first-half performance, but the Aggies began settling in toward the end of the period, shooting 44.0% from the field. Texas A&M also forced 17 turnovers, including two steals in the contest so far. However, McMillan's squad has also coughed up the ball seven times and had eight personal fouls, which is something they will look to clean up at the break.
1H: Texas A&M 34 | Alabama State 22
08:50 PM ET, November 3 2026
The Aggies have extended their lead to 12 points with 3:39 left in the first half. Phillips second slam dunk of the contest before the media timeout got the crowd going. Texas A&M is starting to garner some momentum, shooting 42.9% from the field before the half.
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1H: Texas A&M 30 | Alabama State 22
08:47 PM ET, November 3 2026
Texas A&M goes on a 6-0 scoring run out of the media timeout, via a Pope 3-pointer and a slam dunk from Phillips. The Aggies are beginning to pick up the pace with five minutes remaining in the first half.
1H: Texas A&M 23 | Alabama State 20
08:39 PM ET, November 3 2026
Texas A&M extended its lead to seven points, but Alabama State has come storming back with a 3-pointer from James before the third media timeout of the contest. The Aggies are beginning to struggle from the field, shooting just 38.5% and 20.0% from the 3-point range. Turnovers have also caused some headaches for McMillan's squad, coughing it up six times thus far.
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1H: Texas A&M 16 | Alabama State 13
08:23 PM ET, November 3 2026
The Hornets have closed in on the Aggies' lead, down just three points at the second media timeout with around 12 minutes remaining in the first half. Texas A&M is shooting 55.6% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc.
1H: Texas A&M 7 | Alabama 6
08:12 PM ET, November 3 2026
The Aggies lead by a point at the first media timeout of the first half. Pope, Haggerty and Mgbako have two points apiece. Texas A&M is shooting 50.0% from the field and 75.0% from the free-throw line.
First points of the second season of Bucky Ball!
08:06 PM ET, November 3 2026
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Pope is fouled and awarded two free throws. The Texas transfer drains both.
Starting lineups for the Aggies and Hornets
07:49 PM ET, November 3 2026
Texas A&M's starting five:
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G, Jordan Pope
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G, PJ Haggerty
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F, Jalen Shelley
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F, Cade Phillips
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F, Mackenzie Mgbako
Alabama State's starting five:
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G, Damarion Bonds
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G, Mike James
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G, Paul McMillan IV
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F, Joseph Scott
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F, Isaiah Barganier
Rylan Griffen not listed on printed rosters amid NCAA eligibility battle
06:48 PM ET, November 3 2026
Texas A&M vs. Alabama State predictions, picks, odds
06:15 PM ET, November 3 2026, Cameron Ohnysty
Odds:A verified BetMGM spread, over/under, and moneyline were not available as of Monday, Nov. 2.
The Aggies have considerable roster turnover to manage, and their exhibition loss to SMU showed that McMillan's new group still has areas to improve. However, Texas A&M should have a significant advantage in offensive talent, particularly with Haggerty leading the backcourt.
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Alabama State enters with a new head coach and its own adjustments to make. Playing at Reed Arena against an Aggies team looking to establish its identity will be a difficult opening assignment.
Texas A&M should control the pace and create enough scoring opportunities to begin McMillan's second season with a comfortable victory.
Prediction: Texas A&M 91, Alabama State 68
Texas A&M key players
06:10 PM ET, November 3 2026, Cameron Ohnysty
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PJ Haggerty (G):Averaged 23.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists at Kansas State last season. Scored 28 points in the exhibition against SMU.
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Jordan Pope (G):Transferred from Texas after averaging 13.1 points per game last season. Added 15 points against SMU.
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Mackenzie Mgbako (F):Returns after an injury-shortened 2025-26 season. Averaged 10.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in seven appearances.
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Tyshawn Archie (G):Transfer from McNeese who averaged 14.3 points per game last season.
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Cade Phillips (F):Veteran frontcourt addition from Tennessee who brings SEC experience.
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Zach Clemence (F):The 6-foot-11 senior returns after averaging 6.9 points and 3.2 rebounds last season. He provides experience and perimeter shooting.
What channel is the Texas A&M vs. Alabama State game on? Time, TV schedule
06:05 PM ET, November 3 2026, Cameron Ohnysty
Date:Tuesday, November 3
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Start time:7 p.m. CT
Location:Reed Arena, College Station, Texas
TV Channel:SEC Network+
Stream:ESPN App
Texas A&M vs. Alabama State will stream on SEC Network+ as the Aggies open the 2026-27 college basketball season. The game will not air on the SEC Network's traditional television channel.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M claims 97-66 win in season opener vs. Alabama State: Instant reaction
