In the SI.com article, the Texas A&M Aggies suffered a disappointing loss to the UCF Knights at home. According to the report, A&M looked strong early but “collapsed in the second half” as UCF executed a well-timed comeback.
Coach Bucky McMillan and his team had hoped to build confidence, but this game exposed some clear weaknesses — especially when the pressure was on late.
Key Reasons Behind the Loss
1. Missing Firepower
A big factor was that Mackenzie Mgbako, one of A&M’s top shooters, did not play. Without him, the Aggies’ offense lost a critical scoring outlet.
2. UCF’s Three-Point Shooting and Free Throws
UCF made their shots count. They hit a lot of three-pointers in the late stages, which helped fuel their comeback. Also, they drew many fouls and converted their free throws, putting the Aggies in tough defensive spots.
3. Turnovers and Recklessness
In crunch time, the Aggies committed self-inflicted mistakes — risky passes, poor decisions, and turnovers — which UCF punished. These errors opened the door for UCF’s surge.
4. Shooting Woes for A&M
Overall, A&M shot poorly from the field in the second half. The article notes they ended the game with only 37% shooting. Meanwhile, UCF was far more efficient — they shot 50% from the field, nailed a lot of threes, and made 16 of 17 free throws.
Bigger Picture: What This Means for A&M
This loss is more than just a single bad game — it underscores some growing pains for Texas A&M under Coach McMillan:
-
The team is still not fully healthy, with key players (like Mgbako) not yet contributing.
-
Their defensive execution in the late game needs tightening. UCF’s perimeter shooting and ability to get to the line broke A&M’s rhythm.
-
Composure under pressure is missing. When UCF surged, A&M's mistakes rose, making the comeback possible.
-
If A&M wants to compete with quality teams consistently, they’ll need to reduce turnovers and be more disciplined in how they finish games.
Silver Linings for the Aggies
Even in a loss like this, there are some positives to build on:
-
A&M showed they could build a lead and compete for stretches. That means they have potential — they just need to close games better.
-
Some role players (like Pop Isaacs and Ruben Dominguez) once again contributed from deep.
-
The coaching staff now knows exactly what needs cleaning up: late-game execution, shot selection, and mental toughness.
Final Thoughts
This was a brutal loss for Texas A&M — one that exposes growing pains in a young or re-shaped roster. The collapse in the second half wasn’t just bad luck; UCF executed well, and the Aggies made unforced errors. If A&M wants to make a serious run this season, they’ll need to learn from this game. But the potential is there — they just need to lock in and improve their closing game.