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Texas, Texas A&M to meet for non-conference showdown next season

The Longhorns and Aggies will meet on the hardwood for the first time since the Battle 4 Atlantis in 2015.

By Cody Daniel
NCAA Basketball: Battle 4 Atlantis-Texas A&M vs Texas Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

For the first time since Shaka Smart’s debut season in Austin, the Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies are set to go head-to-head on the hardwood.

As part of the 2018-19 non-conference slate, the Longhorns and Aggies will square off on a neutral court at the new Dickies Arena in Fort Worth on Sunday, Dec. 8, per a release from the school.

“This is a terrific opportunity to renew an important rivalry for the fans in the great state of Texas,” said Texas head coach Shaka Smart in a statement. “We’re excited about the chance to play in a first-class arena in front of our fans in the Metroplex.”

The last time the Longhorns and Aggies met was at the Battle 4 Atlantis in 2015 when a ranked Texas A&M team topped Texas, 84-73. This time around, Smart and the Longhorns will look to reverse those roles and deal an early-season defeat to the Aggies and their first-year head coach, Buzz Williams.

”I’ve seen the Texas A&M-Texas rivalry first-hand, so I know how important this game is to our players, coaches and fans,” Williams said. “We’re also excited about getting the opportunity to play in front of our Metroplex alumni in the new Dickies Arena. This is one of those games that generates passion from both sides and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Texas will enter the early December showdown owning the all-time edge over Texas A&M, 137-86, including a 6-5 record on neutral floors.

The matchup will take place with each program aiming to build upon disappointing 2018-19 campaigns; Texas A&M more so than Texas. The Aggies fell short of the NCAA Tournament after finishing with a 14-18 record, which prompted the end of the Billy Kennedy era in College Station.

Meanwhile, Smart will be aiming to ensure his era in Austin isn’t entering its final season. Texas missed the Big Dance last season, but closed with five consecutive wins and an NIT title, finishing at 21-16 overall.

As noted in the release, tickets for the game will be made available at a later date.

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