Texas A&M's 2026-2027 basketball season officially begins next Tuesday, November 3, as the Aggies will host Alabama State in Reed Arena, but they have already taken the court against a worthy opponent, playing their first live exhibition against SMU on Sunday afternoon.
Coach Bucky McMillan enters his second season at the helm, hoping that the work his newly formed team, now including seven transfer additions, put in this offseason pays off, especially former Kansas State guard PJ Haggerty, who averaged nearly 24 points per game last season.
However, despite the Aggies looking impressive in spurts, including going on a 14-2 run and up 67-57 with 9:04 to play, SMU took advantage of A&M's turnover issues and late fouls that sent the Mustangs to the free-throw
line, resulting in a 94-88 loss in a game that does not matter, but still provided plenty of insight into what the Aggies will look like this season.
PJ Haggerty led the game with 28 points, and finished 10-15 from the field, 8-10 from the free-throw line, and recorded four assists and four steals, but according to several media members in attendance, including TexAgs' Luke Evangelist, Haggerty nearly suffered a serious injury after falling to the ground and grabbing, but ended up returning to the game.
After the exhibition loss, Haggerty said he fell hard on his funny bone and rolled his ankle, but he'll be ready for the Aggies' season-opener vs. Alabama State. All in all, PJ Haggarty looks like the best slashing guard since Wade Taylor IV.
Just spoke to PJ Haggerty postgame.
— Luke Evangelist (@lukeevangelist_) October 25, 2026
Went down hard on his funny bone and rolled his ankle today.
Good news for A&M fans, Haggerty says he’s all good and those bumps did not hinder him down the stretch. Finished with 28 PTS. pic.twitter.com/L7cdIR7qjU
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: PJ Haggerty shines despite Texas A&M exhibition loss, avoids injury
