The 25th-ranked Texas A&M Aggies (21-7, 13-2 SEC) are by far one of the hottest teams in the college basketball landscape since the start of SEC play, going 15-2 since Christmas and winning their sixth straight game after defeating the 11th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers 68-63 on Tuesday night.
Inside an absolutely packed Reed Arena with over 12,989 in attendance, The Aggies went toe to toe with one of the best defenses in the country, holding the Volunteers to 29% from 3-point territory with some of the best perimeter defense they’ve played all season while notching 9 steals forcing 16 turnovers on the night.
Led by the heroics of sophomore guard Wade Taylor IV, who scored a game-high 25 points, while going for a career-high 16-17 from the free throw line, junior forward Julius Marble also had one of his best games of the season, recording 21 points and 9 rebounds, and setting his own career high from the free throw line 9-13 from the stripe. As a team, the Aggies shot 39% from the field, and 26% from three, but went a combined 28-34 from the throw line, accounting for 41% of their offense on the night.
With the win, Texas A&M has won their 13th SEC game and are now just half a game out from a first-place finish in the conference, while also earning their 6th Quad victory after defeating Tennessee, making them a lock for the NCAA Tournament from here on out.
After the game, Head coach Buzz Williams spoke to the media to discuss the win, and the incredible atmosphere Reed Arena provided on such an important night for the program. Here’s what he had to say on the night.