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They've done it again! Only this time even better.
Last summer, Billy Kennedy and Aggie Basketball finalized a non-conference schedule that was easily the program's best in almost three decades.
It didn't take the Ags long to soar past the bar set a year ago.
"We definitely topped it," Kennedy states.
Mitch Cole, A&M's special assistant who helps Kennedy piece together the slate, agrees when it comes to the '15-'16 out-of-conference schedule.
"I don't know if anybody has challenged themselves with seven high-major opponents in non-league play," Cole points out.
Three of those will visit Reed Arena. Kansas State enters on Saturday, December 12th. Baylor comes to Aggieland exactly one week later. On January 30, 2016, all contests of the Big 12-SEC Challenge will unfold. The Aggies host Iowa State that Saturday. Kennedy will go against old friend and former assistant Steve Prohm when the Cyclones visit. Prohm was named ISU's head coach after Fred Hoiberg left for the Chicago Bulls' position. Kennedy says it's never easy to face a friend, especially when 'we both need to win the game.'
A&M hits the road on December 5th to face Arizona State in Tempe. The Aggies welcomed the Sun Devils to College Station last season.
The first three high-majors will come over Thanksgiving. Although it's unknown who that trio will be, it's assured they'll bring competition of the highest quality.
For years, the Preseason NIT in New York City and the Maui Invitational in Hawaii have reigned over other early hoops tournaments on the college landscape. They have new company from off the mainland. The Battle 4 Atlantis in The Bahamas has emerged, and taken its place among the elite.
"This is the premiere tournament in the country," Kennedy firmly acknowledges.
Joining the Aggies on the islands are Gonzaga, Syracuse, Connecticut, Michigan, Texas, Washington and Charlotte.
"It's a loaded field," says Kennedy. "Look at the teams in it, and look at the teams who have won it the last few years."
A season ago, Wisconsin took home the Battle 4 Atlantis title. Duke and Villanova are also among the champions within the last three years.
Many will look at Texas among the participants, and hope for an Aggie-Longhorn revival in the Caribbean. Â But, it simply isn't needed to find appeal in this bracket.
While the destination would make any vacation-goer jealous, it'll be all business upon arrival.
"It's the hotel room and the gymnasium," says Kennedy. "We're going there for the level of competition, and the exposure."
Before The Bahamas, the Aggies host four mid-majors. With this kind of non-conference schedule they're easily overlooked. Yet, never should be. When three lofty opponents are awaiting in Atlantis, and high caliber foes like Iowa State coming to Reed, it's a tough sell for most fans. But, they need to realize, you don't have to wait until March for the madness.
Mid-majors beat the so-called names from the power conferences regularly in November and December. The Aggies will face their share of difficulty from this group, and will do so immediately.
Tip off to the 2015-2016 season comes on November 13th against South Carolina-Upstate. Many will be quick to dismiss the Spartans. And they'd be making a big mistake in doing so.
USC-Upstate won 24 games last year. In a two week span in December of '14, they defeated Georgia Tech and Mississippi State, and were tight with Maryland and Memphis deep into the 2nd half.Â
"We've played well on opening night the last few years, so we wanted to bring in a good opponent for it," says Cole. "USC-Upstate has proven to be a very good team. They've actually beaten four high-major opponents in the last couple of years."
In helping construct the schedule, Cole is constantly looking at a potential opponent's roster, RPI trends, record over the last few seasons and even their recruiting classes. Upstate wasn't just randomly selected. They'll test the Aggies, and have a chance to help A&M's profile as the season moves along.
On November 19th, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi treks north to Reed. The Islanders have been in the top three in the Southland Conference standings in back-to-back seasons. Stephen F. Austin has only lost one SLC game the last two years. It came at the hands of Corpus in February. The Islanders return a few key cogs that will keep them in the Southland hunt for a third year in a row.
"(They've) show an unbelievable amount of improvement since Willis Wilson's been there," Cole says, referring to the former Rice Owls head coach.
In between The Bahamas and a three game stretch versus power foes comes the dreaded 'trap game.'Â
The Aggies get a December 2nd visit from Florida Gulf Coast. The same Eagles that became the first 15-seed to advance to the Sweet 16 in the history of the NCAA Tournament. FGCU did this in '13, and have won 22 games in each of the last two seasons.
"They've consistently been at the top of their conference," says Cole. "Joe Dooley is the head coach now, who came from Kansas, he's continued the culture and really built that place into a mid-major power."
They call them guarantee games. Only there's no guarantees. It's commonplace for smaller schools to beat the big boys. Maybe even more so in the first month of the season, than in the NCAA Tournament.Â
When you came as close to the dance as the Aggies did last year, every step in the process matters. Regardless of when it's taken.
"Every game is a big game. We're splitting hairs to get into the NCAA Tournament," Kennedy states. "I found out at the SEC meetings we were the (first) team not to get in this past season, and Dayton got in ahead of us. They got a two-point win over us when we didn't have Danuel House. Had we beat Dayton we would have probably got in."
The Aggie-Flyer game came in Puerto Rico, months before Selection Sunday.
Every night, every possession. November, December or March. They all count.
In the end, the difficulty of this schedule is a statement about what Kennedy thinks of his squad.Â
"We've got an NCAA Tournament team," he says. "That's our goal. We're equipped to do that."
Kennedy's best team since his arrival at A&M will face his most challenging schedule.
This program wouldn't want it any other way.
The Aggies hope to speak loudly in November, December and January. Then listen closely to hear their name called in March.