Texas A&M cuts down nets after claiming top seed in SEC tournament

Texas A&M already had clinched at least a share of its first conference championship in 30 years before Saturday's regular-season-finale against Vanderbilt, but the Aggies still looked like a hungry team already playing in tournament mode dispatching the Commodores 76-67 with an overwhelming second half.

The Aggies hold the tiebreaker with Kentucky and assured themselves of the top seed in the SEC tournament next week with Saturday's emotional win on senior day for Alex Caruso, Danuel House, Juan Aparicio, Anthony Collins, Jalen Jones and Kyle Dobbins. They combined to score 40 points.

The Aggies even cut down the nets at Reed Arena afterward.

	SEC Network @SECNetwork
Cut the nets, Texas A&M! bit.ly/1oYqySO pic.twitter.com/rijfHCLEHF 11:47 AM - 5 Mar 2016

Texas A&M extended a seven-point halftime lead to 20 points midway through the second half playing like a team with something to prove after losing to the Commodores earlier this season.

The Aggies are considered a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament at this point and could potentially move up to a No. 3 if it can win the SEC Tournament and others falter next week. It's a team equipped to make a deep run because of its experienced roster, tenacity and ability to score in a variety of ways, but it's also a team that will be making its first appearance in March Madness since 2011 and how it handles the pressure of win or go home will be crucial.

Texas A&M had the advantage Saturday of playing at home but Vanderbilt should have been just as motivated with a chance to get a piece of the regular season SEC title as well. But the Commodores didn't handle the big moments well, particularly in the second half, committing 15 turnovers in the game.

Junior Luke Kornet made just one of eight shots and finished with two points. Damian Jones and Wade Baldwin IV each scored 11 points.

Vanderbilt is now in the unusual position of going from playing for an opportunity to gain a part of the regular season conference title to likely needing at least one victory in the SEC tournament to assure itself of a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The Commodores still haven't recorded their 20th victory and have beaten only two ranked opponents. One of those victories was avenged by the Aggies on Saturday.