Dexter Dennis stresses need for Texas A&M to move past SEC Championship loss

Although they lost again in this season’s SEC Tournament final, Texas A&M is going dancing this time around as a No. 7 seed in the Midwest Region. That’s why, although their run in Nashville ended in defeat on Sunday, Dexter Dennis says the Aggies must regroup.

Following the loss to Alabama, Dennis says it’s already time to put that outcome in the rearview mirror. Postseason action is going to continue for them, which means they need to let this go and prepare for their first-round matchup in the NCAA Tournament.

“I think it depends from person to person. It may take a short time, may take a long amount of time,” said Dennis. “I think in preparation for Selection Sunday? We do have to put our emotions behind us and start thinking about the future and what’s next for us as a program. We have to have a short memory in this situation.”

A&M’s fantastic run in the SEC this season came to a close in Bridgestone Arena as Alabama got their fair share of revenge on the Aggies. After A&M won the first game in College Station eight days ago, the Crimson Tide handled Buzz Williams’ team by 19 points in a game where they went wire-to-wire and led by as much as 25.

Still, with Texas A&M now slated to play Penn State, Dennis says it’s time to forget about it completely. There are bigger things at hand now than a conference crown as they’ll begin their attempt at a run toward Houston on Thursday night.

2023 NCAA Tournament: First-round betting lines released

The 2023 NCAA Tournament bracket is set after the full Field of 68 was revealed on CBS Sunday afternoon. Shortly after, the betting lines came out, as well.

Midwest Region (Kansas City)

One of the more intriguing games in the Midwest Region is No. 8 seed Iowa vs. No. 9 seed Auburn. The Hawkeyes are a 0.5-point favorite over the Tigers, meaning that one could go either way as a high-profile matchup. No. 7 seed Texas A&M vs. No. 10 seed Penn State is also expected to be close as the Aggies are favored by 2.5 points.

Another intriguing matchup is No. 5 Miami vs. No. 12 Drake. The Hurricanes are 3.5-point favorites, but the Bulldogs remain a popular upset pick.

No. 1 Houston (-20.5) vs. No. 16 Northern Kentucky
No. 8 Iowa (-0.5) vs. No. 9 Auburn
No. 5 Miami (-3.5) vs. No. 12 Drake
No. 4 Indiana (-5.5) vs. No. 13 Kent State
No. 11 Mississippi State vs. No. 11 Pittsburgh (no line out)
No. 7 Texas A&M (-2.5) vs. No. 10 Penn State
No. 2 Texas (-14.5) vs. No. 15 Colgate