Even though Texas A&M’s 2023 football season hasn’t delivered on its hefty preseason promises, have no fear because the 2023-2024 college basketball season is right around the corner. Head coach Buzz Williams’ 15th-ranked squad is ready to take on the challenges ahead and meet their preseason expectations.
On paper, the Aggies return four out of five starters from last season, headlined by preseason SEC Player of the Year, junior point guard Wade Taylor. Filling out the backcourt, senior do-it-all guard Tyrece “Boots” Radford brings a wealth of skill and experience to the table. In contrast, the starting forward tandem of senior duo Henry Coleman and Julius Marble is as formidable as it gets in near the basket.
From a depth perspective, guards Manny Obaseki, Hayden Hefner, and freshman sharpshooter Bryce Lindsay can heat up on offense at any moment, while fan-favorite forward Andersson Garcia, who quite literally saved the Aggies in several games last season due to his elite defensive skillset. Oh, and while current Dallas Maverick Dexter Dennis is the only departed 2022 starter, transfer portal additions Eli Lawrence and Jace Carter will likely fill his small forward spot as we advance.
On Tuesday, CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jon Rothstein continued his “Rothstein 45” rankings countdown, and coming in at No. 13, Texas A&M’s hot finish in the 2022 regular at least has Rothstein mightily intrigued:
“No. 13 in the Rothstein 45, the Texas A&M Aggies, and the Buzz is palpable in College Station, and that’s for good reason. Buzz Williams and Texas A&M return the highes percentage among SEC teams, and this year’s rendition of the Aggies should be Williams’ best since he arrived in College Station from Virgina Tech. The backbone of the best team’s Williams has coached in his career has been veteran guard play; we saw it at Marquette with Junior Cadougan, we saw it at Virgina Tech with Justin Robinson. Wade Taylor IV is next in line to take that baton, and he is very much an SEC Player of the Year candidate in 2023-2024.”
After reportedly defeating Baylor in a closed scrimmage, the hype has continued to escalate. If Rothstein is as excited about Texas A&M as much of the Aggie fan base, that’s surely a positive sign.
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