By RICHARD CROOME

Eagle Staff Writer

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Texas A&M's 67-62 victory over BYU on Thursday is more than just another win.

That's not to diminish the accomplishment of first-year A&M coach Mark Turgeon in picking up his first NCAA Tournament win with the Aggies. It's also not meant to cheapen the fact that the Aggies (25-10) have not only appeared in the tournament three years in a row but have come away with a victory each time.

Only 10 teams, half of which are truly considered to have come from basketball schools, can make that statement.

What Thursday's victory in Anaheim, Calif., did was put the Aggies on a national stage that even last year's Sweet 16 game may not have done.

With the win, A&M set itself up to play No. 1 seed UCLA, the second-ranked team in the nation, the school many have winning it all and, to even the casual basketball fan, a university synonymous with college basketball.

"If we would have won a few more games during the season, we wouldn't be where we are, but this is a great opportunity for us," Turgeon said of being seeded No. 9 after going 24-10 during the regular season. "This is just a great opportunity, playing against such a storied program, against such a great team this year, that everyone is picking to win it."

A victory Saturday in UCLA's backyard would make the Aggies the most talked-about team in the tournament. It happens every year: The elimination of the first No. 1 seed becomes the talked-about game. That's the opportunity that awaits Texas A&M.

UCLA has won 12 national championships, the last in 1995, and this year it is 32-3 and on an 11-game winning streak after routing Mississippi Valley State in the game after A&M's.

"This is just an unbelievable opportunity for all of us," said Beau Muhlbach, one of four players who have been at A&M during this three-year run. "We've just got to show them how we've come together as a team and give it our best shot."

UCLA has made the Final Four the past two years, eventually losing to winner Florida both times.

• Richard Croome's e-mail address is richard.croome@theeagle.com.