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Texas A&M Basketball: Ranking Aggies 2019-20 non-conference opponents

By TJ Miller

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 14: Head coach Buzz Williams of the Virginia Tech Hokies reacts against the Florida State Seminoles during their game in the quarterfinal round of the 2019 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 14, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 14: Head coach Buzz Williams of the Virginia Tech Hokies reacts against the Florida State Seminoles during their game in the quarterfinal round of the 2019 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 14, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 28: Head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts during the first half of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament West Regional game against the Florida State Seminoles at Honda Center on March 28, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 28: Head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts during the first half of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament West Regional game against the Florida State Seminoles at Honda Center on March 28, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

4. Maryland / Temple (Nov. 29)

Texas A&M will get either Maryland and Temple here. Both would both represent solid opponents down in Orlando. Temple will feature the dynamic Quinton Rose who at 6’8 guard is a tough player to stop. As for Maryland, the Terrapins forecast as a top 15 team next season. Anthony Cowan is one of the Big Ten’s best guards and look for Jalen Smith to improve on an already impressive freshman season. Another quality opponent awaits in Orlando with either matchup.

3. TBD (Dec. 1)

It becomes fairly difficult to try to forecast a potential matchup here in the Orlando Invitational. USC, Davidson, or Marquette could be potentially opponents and all three teams would be challenges in their own right. However, the toughest thing about this game will be it will be the third game for the Aggies in just four days. These Holiday tournaments are lots of fun for viewers, but Buzz Williams won’t be loving life if his team plays bad basketball in Orlando.

2. Texas (Dec. 8)

2018-19 record: 21-16

You have to love that this game is happening again. The two teams have played only once (a Texas A&M 84-73 victory in 2015-16) since the Aggies moved to the SEC beginning in 2012-13. Shaka Smart is still looking to take Texas to the next level since he arrived a few seasons ago. Texas will have another talented team in 2019-20 but it’s honestly hard to say if it will all come together or not. Regardless, this will be a must-watch game in Fort Worth that means a lot for both of these schools.

1. Gonzaga (Nov. 15)

2018-19 record: 33-4

Mark Few has built Gonzaga into a basketball powerhouse. And while it’s fair to ask questions surrounding if the Zags can match last seasons heights after losing players like Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke, Gonzaga is a safe bet as a top 15 team in my mind. Coach Few has a terrific recruiting class and enough talent coming back to make this a huge game.

Next. 2019 SEC recruiting classes takeaways. dark

Also, while Buzz Williams wasn’t at the helm, returning Texas A&M players will remember suffering a 94-71 defeat in Spokane last season. Playing at home should help in this one, but this could also be a rude awakening if the Aggies don’t come ready.