Tag: Aggie Basketball

Best Photos: Texas A&M opened up the season with a big win over Texas A&M Commerce

No. 15 Texas A&M Aggies open up the season with a 78-46 win in front of a crowd of 8,000+ at Reed Arena.

Buzz Williams‘ team had Reed Arena rocking in the season opener against Texas A&M Commerce. No. 15 Texas A&M (1-0) got to play a lot of players in the second half as they started to pull away in the 78-46 victory over the Lions.

The Aggies outrebounded the Lions 47-to-25, with several players bringing down at least five boards or more. Of course, Wade Taylor IV and Tyrece Radford looked like they were already in mid-season form. But it was senior guard Hayden Hefner who led the team with a career-high 19 points. Another impressive standout was Eli Lawrence, who dropped 11 points with ease in limited minutes.

Texas A&M will be back in action on Nov. 10 when they travel to Columbus to take on Ohio State, giving the Aggies a tough test early in the season.

Below, you can check out the best photos from the game on Monday.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1.

Post Game Recap: No. 15 Texas A&M opens up the season with a dominant 78-46 win over Texas A&M Commerce

The 15th ranked Aggies took care of business at home beating Texas A&M Commerce convincingly in their season opener.

No. 15 Texas A&M (1-0) opened up the season in front of the second biggest crowd on opening day for Aggie Basketball in team program history with a dominating victory over the Texas A&M Commerce Lions (0-1).

Texas A&M Commerce came to play early, pressing the ball and giving the Aggies a little bit of trouble early. After jumping out to a 20-9 lead, right when it looked like the game would get out of hand, A&M went on an 11-1 run to pull within one point halfway through the first half.

Buzz Williams saw enough of the lethargic play and used time to refocus his team. Whatever he told his guys worked as they turned up the defensive pressure and closed out the first half on a blistering run out, scoring Commerce 21-7 to go into the locker room with a 41-27 lead.

Hayden Hefner and Tyrece Radford lead the team in points with 10 and 9, while Wade Taylor IV looks just as smooth as he did last year, contributing 8 points, four rebounds, and four assists with limited minutes.

The second half was where we saw the Aggies’ depth and talent start to wear down the Lions. In signature Buzz Williams fashion, a high-energy Aggie basketball team took the court in the second half and looked every bit like a top 15 team in the nation.

Texas A&M was able to keep the Lions scoreless for almost three minutes as they built a 20-point lead, letting Buzz stay dry, keeping his jacket on, and getting his bench players some PT. With Taylor and Radford getting some rest this game, Hefner and Senior transfer guard Eli Lawrence took over the scoring duties.

Hefner finished the night as the leading scorer with a career-high 19 points on an efficient 7-10 shooting with three 3-pointers. Lawrence scored 11 points off the bench, which was good enough for third-best behind Taylor and his 16-point effort. The 6’7″ sophomore Solomon Washington also had a strong game, hitting double-digits with 10 points and seven rebounds.

Overall, after the first game of the season against an under-matched opponent, the Aggies passed almost with flying colors. There was a moment in the first half where the team became extremely sluggish before coach Buzz called a timeout to get them back in line. The second was the poor free throw shooting for the team as a whole, considering how well they shot the ball last year from the charity stripe.

Those are minor issues you might see early in the season and should get cleaned up as they get closer to SEC play. This deep and talented group looks like a hungry team that’s not taking any opponent for granted this year, and we can wait to be a part of the journey to the tournament.

NOTE: Julius Marble was not seen suited up, and once tip-off came, he was not on the sideline. This wasn’t too much of a surprise as Buzz Williams said Marble would be away from the team due to a “university process” situation.

Texas A&M will be back in action on Nov. 10 when they travel to Columbus to take on Ohio State.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1.

Look: Multiple Aggie athletes reach a major accomplishment and receive their Aggie Rings

Texas A&M ring day just passed and a number of Texas A&M athletes received their hard earned and well-deserved Aggie Ring.

Texas A&M is a school chalked full of tradition and outside of the 12th man, Aggie Ring Day is at the top of the cherished customs. From the outside looking in sometimes athletes get a bad rap for being entitled or having it easier than everyone else. However, it’s a lot of hard work and early mornings that keep them under different stressors than a traditional student.

So, when an athlete has the discipline to manage their schooling, athletic schedule, and personal life responsibly, it should be acknowledged. A few notable names for November’s Aggie Ring Day are Max Johnson, Fadil Diggs, Trinity Cannon, and Vishnu Sadagopan.

Below is a brief history of the Aggie ring from The Association of Former Students:

Design of the class ring at A&M is as deep in symbolism as it is in tradition. The shield on the top of the ring symbolizes protection of the good reputation of the alma mater. The 13 stripes in the shield refer to the 13 original states and symbolize the intense patriotism of graduates and undergraduates of A&M. The five stars in the shield refer to phases of development of the student: mind or intellect, body, spiritual attainment, emotional poise, and integrity of character. The eagle is symbolic of agility and power, and ability to reach great heights.

Congratulations to all of the Aggie Ring recipients and we wish them the best in all their future endeavors.

Aggie Women’s Basketball Coach Joni Taylor get a top 100 commit for the 2024 class

Coach Joni Taylor just some good news before the start of the season with a top 60 recruit commitment

It was announced that four-star guard Taliyah Parker has committed to the Texas A&M Basketball team over Baylor, UCLA, and Duke.

Parker comes in as the No. 61 ranked player in the nation and will add depth to the point guard position in the future. Below is how South Grand Prairie head coach Brion Raven explains Parker’s impact as a senior transfer from high school in Oklahoma.

“It’s huge. She is going to help us a bunch,” South Grand Prairie coach Brion Raven said. “She is super athletic, she is very unselfish with the ball. She is a phenomenal passer. She has probably always had a tag as a scorer, but she can facilitate and distribute the ball. She is a great team player. And defensively, she is off the charts. She can guard 94 by 50. She is the real deal.”

Congratulations to Taliyah Parker on her commitment to the greatest university in Texas, and we wish her a strong senior season at South Grand Prairie.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1.

Two Aggie Basketball players named to Coaches All-SEC Team

Wade Taylor and Tyrece Radford are named to the Coaches All-SEC teams on Wednesday

While we wait for the first official tip-off of the 2024 Texas A&M Aggie Basketball season, every head coach in the SEC has named their 2024 all-conference teams. Junior Point guard Wade Taylor IV was named to the First Team while senior guard Tyrece Radford was named to the Second Team on Wednesday.

In a full-time role last year,Wade excelled propelling himself to an All-American level with him entering the 2024 season as one of the team’s leaders. Radford had a career-high in points per game (13.3) and free throw percentage (79.6) and coach Buzz will lean on his experience as Aggies look to make deep tournament runs this season.

The 2023-24 campaign begins November 6, with conference play set to begin January 6. The 2024 SEC Tournament will be March 13-17 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1.

Texas A&M star point guard Wade Taylor IV makes another preseason watchlist

Junior standout Wade Taylor IV is named to the 2024 NABC Division I Player of the Year watchlist

Yes, you heard that right. Junior guard Wade Taylor IV has been added to another preseason watchlist for the 2024 basketball season.

Taylor was recently announced to the NABC Division I Player of the Year watchlist along with 19 other players. The award is given annually to the top point guard in Division 1 men’s basketball selected by the Division I head coaches.

The 2024 NABC Division I Player of the Year – selected by a nationwide vote of Division I head coaches – will be announced the week of the 2024 Men’s Final Four.

Wade Taylor IV finished last season at 16.5 points per game and led the SEC in free throws made with 168 at 87.5%.  He was named to the following 2023 teams.

  • SEC All-Tournament Team
  • All-SEC First Team (AP and Coaches)
  • Third-Team All-American (Stadium.com)
  • NABC Second-Team All-District 20

The season is right around the corner, and we hope to see Talyor lead the Aggies to a deep in the NCAA tournament.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1.

Aggies star PG Wade Taylor IV tabbed as the No. 1 ranked Junior for the 2024 season

Third Year guard and starting Texas A&M Aggie PG Wade Taylor IV is coming in hot after being named the No. 1 junior for the 2024 season.

The weather is cooling, the leaves are falling, and star Aggie point guard Wade Taylor IV is being recognized as a top player in the country.

Sports reporter Andy Katz has dropped his Top Ten Juniors entering next season, and All-SEC guard Taylor came in as the number one spot. Wade’s growth since arriving in Bryan-College Station has been remarkable as he’s gone from a part-time starter as a freshman to the SEC preseason Player of the Year.

Buzz Williams knows that for the Aggies to make a run when it matters this season, leadership from Taylor is a must.

“Yes, we want our team to do well, but our team is going to do well if Four is doing well. It’s not for Four. It’s for our program. He is the leader of the program. We have to hold each other accountable.”

Taylor had a breakout year that saw him put up over 500 points, 125 assists, and 50 steals while making 85% or better from the charity line. He was one of three players in all of NCAA D1 Basketball. The third-year guard’s 16.5 points per game and 168 made free throws ranked in the top three in the SEC for both categories.

The Aggie Men’s Basketball team will return to action in a few days when they take on Texas Tech in an exhibition in Denton, Texas, on October 29th at 4:30 pm CST.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1.

Where did Texas A&M Women’s Basketball land in the newest SEC Coaches poll?

The 2024 SEC preseason coaches’ poll is out, and the Texas A&M Aggies are expected to be an improved team under year two on coach Joni Taylor

Head basketball coach Joni Taylor had a challenging start to her Aggie career, starting with replacing one of the more iconic basketball coaches in Texas history in Hall of Famer Gary Blair to barely being able to dress a team due to injuries.

The coaches in the SEC also see Texas A&M making a big jump from the bottom of the SEC to being voted into the sixth spot in the SEC Coaches Poll. Two Aggies were also announced to the All-SEC team, sophomore Janiah Barker (1st team) and Auburn transfer Aicha Coulibaly (2nd team), and will be looked to this season for leadership.

Year one is now in the rearview mirror, a new motto of toughness has been established, and an aggressive offseason recruiting plan has given the Aggies to show their growth with the move to bring in a talented crop of transfers combined with her stellar reputation as a coach in the league.

The Aggie Women’s Basketball team will be back in action two weeks after they take on A&M-Corpus Christi at Reed Arena on November 9th at 6:00 pm CST.

Aggies starting point guard Wade Taylor IV is named to the 2024 Bob Cousy Award Watch List

Texas A&M junior point guard Wade Taylor IV was named to another pre-season watchlist on Monday.

Expectations will be high for Pre-Season All-American Wade Taylor. The junior guard has been named to virtually every pre-season watch list to which he is eligible to be added.

Taylor was recently announced to the Bob Cousy Award watch list along with 19 other players. The award is given annually to the top point guard in Division 1 men’s basketball, and Aggie legend Acie Law IV received the honor back in 2007.

Below is how President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball of Fame, John L. Doleva, describes the spirit of the award.

“The point guards that have been named to the 2024 Bob Cousy Award Watch List truly embody the skills and characteristics that made Bob Cousy the ‘Houdini of the Hardwood,'” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. We look forward to watching their leadership and playmaking abilities take center stage and working alongside Bob Cousy and the selection committee to narrow down the watch list throughout the season.”

Wade Taylor IV finished last season at 16.5 points per game and led the SEC in free throws made with 168 at 87.5%.  He was named to the following 2023 teams.

  • SEC All-Tournament Team
  • All-SEC First Team (AP and Coaches)
  • Third-Team All-American (Stadium.com)
  • NABC Second-Team All-District 20

We look forward to seeing Taylor lead the Aggie basketball team under the watch of Buzz Williams as this talented squad embarks on even greener pastures in 2024.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1.

Texas A&M sent Five athletes to the SEC Joint SAAC, Leadership Council Meeting

Texas A&M sent Five athletes to the SEC Joint SAAC, Leadership Council Meeting

It’s that time of the year again when the SEC schools send their student leadership representatives to Birmingham, Alabama, for a two-day meeting. The leadership council was put together in 2016 to bridge the gap between student-athletes and league officials.

The Aggies were represented well at the meeting, sending Henry Coleman III (men’s basketball), Lauren Hogan (volleyball), Jada Malone (women’s basketball), LT Overton (football), and Rylee Shufelt (equestrian). Coleman has been a mainstay in leadership positions on various student council boards.

While at the meeting, the students interacted with top medical professionals regarding mental health, including a talk with SEC Chief medical advisor Dr. Katie O’Neal. They also heard presentations from Blair Bloomston of the Game On Nation and Will Baggett of Emergent Executives.

This was an excellent opportunity for everyone involved in this joint meeting to bounce ideas and share experiences with each other while getting to engage with significant players in the SEC league office; below is the announcement of the five Aggies selected to attend.

Check out the SEC schools for news on the meeting Roll Tide Wire, Razorbacks Wire, Auburn Wire, Gators Wire, UGA Wire, LSU Tigers Wire, and Vols Wire.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1.

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