Tag: manny obaseki

Instant reaction to No. 13 Texas A&M’s 75-68 win over Oklahoma on Tuesday night

Texas A&M’s elite rebounding and free throw shooting led to Tuesday night’s big win over Oklahoma

No. 13 Texas A&M (16-5, 5-3 SEC) returned to Reed Arena after a two-game road trip last week, facing an Oklahoma team (15-5, 2-4 SEC) that entered on a two-game winning streak, looking to seek some revenge of the Aggies defeated the Sooners 80-78 earlier this month.

Entering the game, it was revealed that starting forward Solomon Washington would miss the matchup due to an ankle injury suffered in Saturday’s loss to Texas. Coach Buzz Williams opted to start forward Pharrel Payne in his place.

While depth was an issue, Payne’s size and efficiency in the paint led to the Aggies finding him down low early and often to establish what many Aggie fans call “Buzz ball” due to A&M’s tough defense and rebounding amid poor shooting performances.

Well, it was that kind of night, as the Aggies finished 37.5% from the field and 16% from 3-point range, but thanks to a collective effort from the guard trio of Wade Taylor IV (12 points), Manny Obaseki (10 points) and Zhuric Phelps (15 points), Texas A&M’s offense relied on getting fouled and heading to the free throw line.

While the team currently sits in last place in the SEC with a 67% average from the stripe, Texas A&M finished an impressive 29-35 free throw line, which ultimately won the game amid Oklahoma’s ten three-pointers, led by Bryce Goodine’s game-high 24 points, after scoring a career-high 34 points and nine 3-pointers against the Aggies in their first meeting.

Texas A&M out-rebounded Oklahoma 47-19, including 21 offensive rebounds in one of the more one-sided rebounding performances in SEC play.

With the win, Texas A&M has moved to fifth place in the SEC standings.

GAME NOTES:

  • Forward Pharrel Payne finished with a double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds)
  • Texas A&M outrebounded Oklahoma 47-19
  • Wade Taylor IV amassed 200 steals in his Texas A&M career
  • 37.5% FG / 16.7% 3PT / 82.9% FT

Texas A&M will face South Carolina on the road on Feb. 4th at 7:30 p.m. CST. The game can be watched on the SEC Network.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

Here are the photos from No. 13 Texas A&M’s 70-69 road loss to Texas

View some best photos from Texas A&M’s rough 70-69 road loss to Texas

Texas A&M stumbles late against Texas, dropping to 4-3 in conference play and losing some ground in the standings.

This was the worst loss of the season because of the frustrating decisions made throughout the game.

Outside of the poor shot selection and game management at the end of the game, one of the most puzzling was how Manny Obaskei sat on the bench in the second half. When asked, this is all coach Buzz Williams had to say about that choice.

“yes sir”

That’s how the post-game press conference ended. There are a lot of lessons to be learned, and a team that’s usually been good at closing out games wasn’t that against the Longhorns this time.

Here are the best photos from Saturday night’s game.

Texas A&M will return to Reed Arena to host Oklahoma on Jan. 28 at 8:00 p.m. CST. The game can be watched on the SEC Network.

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ESPN FPI predicts No. 13 Texas A&M’s road test vs. Texas on Saturday

Here is how ESPN’ FPI predictor sees Texas A&M vs. Texas playing out on Saturday afternoon

Texas A&M (15-4, 4-2 SEC) entered the week as the 13th-ranked team in the country, and with the return of star guard Wade Taylor IV, the Aggies were in good spirits before taking on No. 16 Ole Miss on the road during Wednesday night’s SEC showdown.

Throughout conference play, Texas A&M’s defense has stopped chiefly opposing offenses from reaching their scoring averages, which continued against the Rebels before one of the craziest endings to place in favor of the road team.

The Aggies remained competitive in a game with only 13 free throw attempts by making 7 of 9 from the line. Ole Miss guard Davon Barnes missed a free throw with just 19 seconds left, providing the Aggies an opportunity to tie or take the lead.

Senior guard Zhuric Phelps then assisted Manny Obaseki on a crucial 3-pointer, and a strong defensive play secured Texas A&M’s unexpected 63-62 win. With the victory, the Aggies hold a combined 10-4 Quad 1 & 2 record, tied for third nationally.

Next, the Aggies will travel to face rival Texas on Saturday afternoon, looking to sweep the Longhorns and reach an impressive 5-2 start to SEC play. Before the game, here is how ESPN FPI is predicting the matchup:

ESPN FPI:

Texas A&M: 43.1% chance to win

Texas: 56.9% chance to win

Texas A&M defeated the Longhorns 80-60 in Reed Arena to open SEC play. Still, after defeating Missouri earlier this week, Texas is improving defensively and is desperate to build a winning streak to help their NCAA Tournament resume.

Texas A&M will stay on the road when they travel to Austin to face Texas on Jan. 25 at 1:30 p.m. CST. The game can be watched on ESPN2.

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“I think it would be foolish of me to take any credit for any of this” Buzz praises the character of his players

Texas A&M head coach Buzz Williams praise the families of his player for their win over Ole Miss

Road games are challenging in any conference, but in the SEC, from top to bottom, it’s a juggernaut. Texas A&M shocked the Ole Miss fans into silence as they stole the victory on a three-point shot from Manny Obaseki for a final score of 63-62.

There have been a few games this season where A&M could have phoned it in and taken a loss to conserve some energy for the tough road ahead, but the Aggies are not built like that. Coach Buzz Williams gives most of that credit to his players’ families for raising a group of men who will fight to the bitter end.

“…for whatever reason other than how our young men were raised I think they just kind of hang around and see if we can try real hard and see if it can turn into something positive”

It was a gusty twelve-round fight in The Sandy and John Black Pavilion on Wednesday night and the Fighting Texas Aggies willed their way to a win capturing a much-needed SEC victory.

Below you can watch the full post-game press conference.

Texas A&M will stay on the road when they travel to Austin to face Texas on Jan. 25 at 1:30p.m. CST. The game can be watched on ESPN2.

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Relive No. 13 Texas A&M’s memorable 63-62 win over No. 16 Ole Miss

Here are the highlights from Texas A&M’s thrilling 63-62 comeback win over Ole Miss on Wednesday night

Texas A&M (15-4, 4-2 SEC) shot up the conference rankings after leaving Mississippi with a thrilling 63-62 over No. 16 Ole Miss after trailing for the entire game.

After Ole Miss guard Davon Barnes missed a free throw with just over 20 seconds remaining, Aggie guard Zhuric Phelps found fellow senior guard Manny Obaseki for the lead-taking 3-pointer that sealed the deal for the Maroon & White.

However, Texas A&M’s poor shooting, which plagued the team for most of the season, led star guard Wade Taylor IV and Zhuric Phelps to shoot a combined 8-31 from the field, including 0-11 from beyond the arc. Nevertheless, the Aggies’ sheer grit and determination to fight back were based on an incredible team effort.

Manny Obaseki (12 points) was the prominent star off the bench. Still, the play of junior forward Pharrel Payne (10 points, six rebounds) kept the Aggies at arms-length late in the second half, while senior Hayden Hefner’s (9 points) shooting was another surprising bright spot.

Texas A&M boasts six Quad 1 victories, featuring three road wins in Quad 1A, ranking them third in the nation. Currently, the Aggies are considered a top 3 seed for the NCAA Tournament season.

Thanks to Texas A&M basketball’s media team, here are the highlights from the game. Enjoy!

Texas A&M will stay on the road when they travel to Austin to face Texas on Jan. 25 at 1:30 p.m. CST. The game can be watched on ESPN2.

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Texas A&M rises in the NET rankings after comeback win over No. 16 Ole Miss

Texas A&M is now a Top 15-ranked team in the latest NET rankings after defeating Ole Miss on the road

No. 13 Texas A&M (15-4, 4-2 SEC) took a huge step forward on Wednesday night, as the Aggies, through massive late-game adversity, defeated No. 16 Ole Miss 63-62 after the Aggies outscored the home team 11-2, including the go-ahead 3-pointer from senior guard Manny Obaseki.

In a match where star guards Wade Taylor IV and Zhuric Phelps managed only 8 out of 31 shooting from the field, and the team recorded 20 turnovers, A&M’s defense performed well, providing the offense with a chance to either clinch a victory or force the game into overtime.

Phelps, who was dealing with illness-based symptoms throughout the game, took over late in the final 30 seconds, scoring consecutive jumpers before finding Obaseki on a perfect pass with 14 seconds left, as the Aggies took their first and final lead in one of the best comebacks in program history.

Following the victory, Texas A&M holds a 4-2 conference record, tying for third place in the SEC alongside No. 22 Missouri and No. 5 Florida. The most notable change, however, is in the critical NET rankings, where they jumped four spots to reach No. 14.

In terms of NCAA Tournament seeding, Texas A&M boasts a combined record of 10-4 in Quad 1 and Quad 2, which features six Quad 1 wins and three notable Quad 1A victories (road wins). This places their overall record and Quad 1 position tied for third in the nation.

Under coach Buzz Williams’ this is the highest NET ranking for the Aggies during SEC play.

Texas A&M will stay on the road when they travel to Austin to face Texas on Jan. 25 at 1:30 p.m. CST. The game can be watched on ESPN2.

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Instant reaction to Texas A&M basketball’s last second 63-62 victory over Ole Miss

Manny Obaseki hits game winner in defensive battle to secure A&M’s fourth conference victory

It was not pretty, but Texas A&M (15-4, 4-2 SEC) steals a win on the road against Ole Miss (15-4, 4-2 SEC) with Pharrel Payne and Manny Obaseki stepping up big in the come from behind victory. Texas A&M now has an impressive six Quad 1 wins one the year.

Following two consecutive conference losses, the team celebrates back-to-back victories, marking their first ranked win since the start of SEC play. In contrast to earlier matches, the officials allowed both teams to battle it out, resulting in a gritty, old-school style of play, with each team shooting under 40% throughout the game.

This was another contest where the depth and experience of being in high-pressure situations proved to be the key to this win. With an under-the-weather Zhuric Phelps and Wade Taylor having one of their worst games with the Aggies, they needed help from everyone. That’s where Payne and Obaseki shined.

Payne had yet another impressive performance, scoring 10 points on 4-6 shooting. Obaseki was named MVP after contributing 12 points with 4 of 7 shooting, highlighted by a game-winning three-pointer, assisted by Phelps, with only 14 seconds left—this was A&M’s sole lead in the match.

Ultimately, the Aggies need to improve their performance in critical moments. However, they managed to blend the challenges and successes tonight, earning another conference victory.

GAME NOTES:

  • Payne and Obaseki combined for 22 points and 9 rebounds
  • Texas A&M outrebounded Ole Miss 48-31
  • 38.7% FG / 28.6% 3PT / 77.8% FT

Texas A&M will stay on the road when they travel to Austin to face Texas on Jan. 25 at 1:30p.m. CST. The game can be watched on ESPN2.

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.

One stat from Texas A&M’s 81-69 loss to Kentucky highlight’s team’s inefficient play

Texas A&M’s season low four assists explains the offense’s blatant lack of cohesion

Texas A&M (13-4, 2-2 SEC) entered last weekend’s Saturday night showdown vs. Alabama undefeated in conference play and looking like one of the best teams in the country this season .

However, during A&M’s first SEC game vs. rival Texas, the Aggies may have defeated the Longhorns 80-60 but lost star guard Wade Taylor IV for the next three games. This resulted in a comeback win over Oklahoma and consecutive losses to the Crimson Tide and the Kentucky Wildcats on Tuesday night.

After falling to the Wildcats 81-69, the Aggies lost the rebounding battle and shot a dismal 16-25 from the free-throw line, both areas of struggle since Taylor’s departure from the lineup.

Even more surprising, Texas A&M’s season-low four assists are the lowest mark under coach Buzz Williams and the worst number since a 2018 game vs. Missouri. For those who believe that A&M would have lost to Kentucky even with Taylor in the lineup, I can safely say that the offense would have looked much crisper.

With senior Zhuric Phelps (21 points) and Manny Obaseki (12 points) running point, both guards are iso players who only pass if they can’t immediately drive the paint, which has made the Aggies offense a clustered mess with a blatant lack of flow.

However, junior forward Pharrel Payne, who has recorded double-digit outings in six of seven games, inclding 15 points against the Wildcats, is the only player who has created a spark off the bench, and will continue to make an impact despite the Aggies’ lack of team scoring.

Payne is currently 32-35 from the field since A&M’s win over Wake Forest, shooting an NCAA-leading 91.4% from the field.

Until Wade Taylor returns, Phelps or Obaseki need to settle down and work with Buzz Williams to run the offense and set players up for success, but until that happens, the Aggies better hope they outrebound and keep opponents from gaining offensive momentum.

Texas A&M will return home to host LSU in Reed Arena on Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m. CST. The game can be watched on the SEC Network.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty

Instant reaction to No. 11 Texas A&M’s 81-69 road loss to No. 8 Kentucky

Texas A&M’s lack of efficiency on offense and poor rebounding led to Tuesday’s road loss to Kentucky

Texas A&M (13-4, 2-2 SEC) has now endured back-to-back SEC losses, culminating in Tuesday’s 81-69 loss to No. 8 Kentucky in another lopsided shooting performance.

Led by senior guard Zhuric Phelps’ 21 points, the Aggies’ failure to find any offensive flow started late in the first half. Coach Buzz Williams’ odd game plan included too many 3-point attempts, even though A&M’s five three-pointers tied the team’s season average.

Sometimes, the shots fall, but just like in Saturday’s loss to Alabama, Texas A&M is missing senior guard Wade Taylor IV’s leadership at point guard. Phelps and fellow senior guard Manny Obaseki (12 points) are scoring guards who are always looking for their own shot.

For the sixth time in seven games, former Minnesota forward Pharrel Payne has produced double-digit scoring efforts, netting 15 points, and was a perfect 5-5 from the floor. Payne’s impact off the bench has been the bright spot in both losses.

For the second straight game, Texas A&M lost the rebounding back 31-40, while the Aggies struggled from the free-throw line yet again, finishing 16-25 from the stripe.

These problems are fixable, but this team is desperate for Taylor’s return to the lineup, which could return as soon as Saturday’s home game vs. LSU.

GAME NOTES:

  • Transfer Zhuric Phelps (21 points) and Pharrel Payne (15 points) led the Aggies in scoring
  • Texas A&M was outrebounded 40-31
  • 39.0% FG / 23.3% 3PT / 64.0% FT

Texas A&M will return home to host LSU in Reed Arena on Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m. CST. The game can be watched on the SEC Network.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty

CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein praises Texas A&M basketball’s deep backcourt

Senior point guard Zhuric Phelps has made Texas A&M’s backcourt one of the deepest in the country

No. 23 Texas A&M (3-1) is off to a solid start to the 2024-2025 college basketball season, as the season-opening loss to UCF is now in the rearview mirror after the Aggies defeated previously ranked Ohio State team 78-64 last Friday night behind an elite defensive effort.

Outside of the UCF loss, the addition of former SMU guard Zhuric Phelps has changed A&M’s offense for the better, adding quality depth to help out star guard Wade Taylor IV and senior Manny Obaseki while replacing former veteran guard Tyrece Radford’s slashing ability in the paint.

In just three appearances, Phelps has already led the Aggies in scoring. At the same time, his defense is equally impactful, setting up consistent transition scoring opportunities for a team still figuring out its half-court offense. On Tuesday, CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jon Rothstein praised Phelp’s addition to the Aggies backcourt.

“Texas A&M’s Zhuric Phelps is underrated nationally. Leading the Aggies in scoring (16 PPG) and also having an impact on D (2.7 SPG). Add Wade Taylor IV and Manny Obaseki and Buzz Williams has three quality veteran guards.”

Underrated is right, as Phelp’s under-the-radar addition this offseason, paired with former Minnesota center Pharell Payne and guard CJ Wilcher, has only made the Aggies a more formidable team. In contrast, the equally underrated return of senior forward Henry Coleman (11.3 points, 6.8 rebounds) has also impacted the team on both ends.

No. 23 Texas A&M will host Southern (0-3) on Wednesday, November 20. The game will be streamed on SEC Network+ and ESPN+ at 7:00 p.m. CT.

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