Texas A&M, LSU brim with confidence as SEC play tips off

Texas A&M and LSU are both entering SEC play with confidence as they meet in the conference opener on Saturday afternoon in College Station, Texas.

The Aggies (10-3) reached the century mark in three straight wins, including a 111-82 victory over Prairie View A&M on Monday. Rashaun Agee impressed with a team-high 19 points and 13 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season.

Ruben Dominguez, who finished with 14 points against Prairie View A&M, has been the Aggies' top scoring threat, averaging 13.7 points. Dominguez is hitting 46.9% of his 3-point attempts.

"Everybody is getting better," Texas A&M coach Bucky McMillan said. "Early in the season, I don't think everyone knew what they did well and what their teammates did well. Now they're figuring it all out and where they fit in. We have a confident team right now."

LSU (12-1) is carrying similar vibes after a solid nonconference showing, capped with a 90-62 victory over Southern Miss on Monday.

The Tigers have been led mostly by the duo of Dedan Thomas Jr., who averages 16.2 points and 7.1 assists, and Mike Nwoko, who averages 16.1 points and 5.5 rebounds. Max Mackinnon (13 ppg) is the team's biggest deep threat, knocking down 43.9% of his 3-point attempts.

"I'm very confident heading into SEC play, for sure," Nwoko said. "Being one of the few guys that was on an SEC team last year (Mississippi State), I definitely warned these guys a whole lot about, ‘Hey, the real deal is coming,' but being with these guys day in and day out for the whole summer and this whole season, I definitely know we're ready."

Texas A&M has beaten LSU in three straight matchups, having swept last season's series with a 68-57 home victory and a 66-52 victory in Baton Rouge, La.