Issue date: 2/18/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jon Eilts Sophomore guard B.J. Holmes shoots a 3-pointer against Texas on Monday. The Aggies won 81-66 [Click to enlarge]

When former Texas A&M basketball player Acie Law made the 3-pointer against Texas in 2006, the win was the climax of a seven-game win streak to close the 2005-2006 season.

The shot set off a series of events that led to the Aggies making three consecutive NCAA tournament runs.

But that streak has teetered close to ending in 2009. After starting the season 14-1 in nonconference play, A&M hit a brick wall when they fell at Oklahoma State on Jan. 10. The Aggies have gone on to a 4-7 record in Big 12 play and have five games remaining in the regular season.

The Aggies fourth win will be what sets them apart. The team that beat archrival Texas on Monday 81-66 was a team that has made a handfull of appearances in the 2008-2009 season.

It was the team that beat Arizona 67-66 in the final seconds and took down Louisiana State 72-61 at a neutral site.

If that team shows up in the final five games of the season the Aggies could finish with a 9-7 conference record.

The men's basketball team will also need to make a run in the Big 12 tournament.

If the season ended today, A&M would receive the No. 9 seed in the tournament and would face No. 8 seeded Baylor. The Aggies had mixed results against the Bears in 2008-2009, winning at home but losing on the road. It does not get easier from there, as A&M would then face No. 1 seeded Oklahoma in the second round.

Though the road is tough, the right Aggie team needs to show up for the remainder of the season if they have any hopes of going dancing in March.

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