It is possible, even probable, the Arkansas Razorbacks grew up Wednesday night against No. 5 Texas A&M.
For the first time this season they won a game settled by three points or fewer, defeating the Aggies 74-71 at Walton Arena.
Finding a way to win -- or finding a way not to lose -- was critical.
The Hogs are now 1-5 in games decided by three points or fewer. They lost three-point games to Georgia and Mercer in overtime and to Wake Forest and Stanford in regulation. They also lost a two-point game at LSU.
They won Wednesday even though they weren't exactly shooting lights out from behind the three-point line -- or anywhere else. They shot 42.4 percent from the floor, which would have been better if the bench hadn't been just 4 of 16.
The Razorbacks won the game the way they usually do, with a defense that throws a team out of sync, something not easily done against a senior-laden team such as the Aggies.
The Aggies shot 39.6 percent from the field and were in the game only because they made 28 of 35 free throws.
Arkansas had seven steals and forced 21 turnovers it converted into 15 points, or exactly three more than the Aggies scored off of turnovers.
Mike Anderson surprised the Aggies by going with a four-guard lineup by adding Manny Watkins to usual starting guards Dusty Hannahs, Jabril Durham, Anthlon Bell and center/forward Moses Kingsley.
The Aggies led twice, for a grand total of 1:07, which means the Razorbacks found a way to get a quality victory, perhaps their biggest victory of the season.
Maybe there was more leadership in the Aggies game than the Hogs have had this season.
It wasn't just one person, although Durham had seven assists in 28 minutes and would have had more if statisticians counted verbally directing players.
Everyone knew the Razorbacks were losing most of their scoring and rebounding from last season, but what they also lost was leadership.
Arkansas is 10-10 on the season and 4-4 in the SEC, but it easily should be 13-7 and tied for second in the SEC at 6-2. That record would have them on the NCAA Tournament bubble.
Instead, the Razorbacks likely will need to win out and get two victories in the SEC Tournament just to be on the bubble. Or, of course, get the automatic bid by going to Nashville, Tenn., and winning it all.
Neither is impossible but will not be easy.
Forget the home games; they should win all six of those. They proved how tough at home they are when they knocked off the Aggies, who were undefeated in the SEC and riding a 10-game winning streak.
After Texas Tech on Saturday, the Hogs go to Florida -- which is 9-1 at home this season, with the lone loss being to arch rival Florida State 73-71. The Gators are much better at home than on the road, where they are 2-5 (2-1 in games at neutral sites).
Arkansas goes to Mississippi State, which is struggling to find its identity, and then to Mississippi for a game in the new Pavillion. The key against Ole Miss will be giving Stefan Moody the blues.
Games at Tennessee and Alabama finish the road contests, and those programs are in the bottom half of the standings.
This is not a prediction the Hogs will win 11 consecutive games. Their longest winning streak this season is three games.
But the Hogs have a chance to build off of Wednesday's victory. Better shot selection and playing solid defense will help, plus the heady leadership most of them displayed against the Aggies.
Sports on 01/29/2016