Tag: Penn State Nittany Lions Basketball

Texas A&M listed as a popular bracket buster in 2023 March Madness

The Aggies were disrespected as a 7-seed in the NCAA Tournament but could put everyone on notice as a bracket-buster favorite this year.

Texas A&M (25-9, 15-3 SEC) was overlooked for much of the regular season and they were arguably disrespected when handed the No. 7 seed in the Midwest Region of the NCAA Tournament. But any casual college basketball fan knows that the Aggies are a team not to be trifled with.

As you fill out those March Madness brackets, you may want to think twice about counting out the Maroon and White early on.

USA Today unveiled the teams that could bust your men’s NCAA Tournament bracket, and the first name on the list should come as no surprise: No. 7 Texas A&M.

The Aggies were criminally under-seeded considering they’ve won 10 of their last 11 games and finished second in the SEC during the regular season. Yes they got blown out by overall No. 1 seed Alabama in the SEC tournament championship — and that’s exactly why they’ll be poised to make a run, to get that bad taste out of their mouth.

The selection committee flexed their agenda after seeding the Aggies as low as seventh, whether as a result of punishing head coach Buzz Williams or trying to set up a box-office matchup in the Round of 64.

Whatever the reason may be, the stats prove that the Maroon and White are poised to make a run deep into March.

Of all the seven seeds in the tournament, Texas A&M holds the highest NET ranking (19) while sitting 25th in KenPom and 17th in the final AP and USA TODAY Coaches polls. They’ve bested the likes of Alabama, Tennessee, and Arkansas at home and have beaten Auburn and Missouri on the road. The math adds up to a battle-tested resume.

Simply put, the lights won’t be too bright come Thursday evening.

This is a team that overcame a 6-5 start to the season while playing through adversity, which means bouncing back from a title game loss should be child’s play. It helps to know that the Aggies shot 29.7% from the floor while their best player Wade Taylor IV went 3-for-11. Think of it as “ironing out the kinks.”

This team has the formula to make a deep run in March with their roster posing a matchup nightmare to anyone in their path. Of course, the most successful teams take it one step at a time, focusing their time and energy on who awaits them now.

For the Aggies, their path begins Thursday with an opening-round matchup versus No. 10 Penn State. Tip-off is set for 8:55 p.m. CT and will air on TBS.

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 Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=7]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fvdd4pnb49trk727 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

How to watch Texas A&M vs. Penn State in 2023 March Madness first round

We have the breakdown of how you can watch the Aggies take on the Nittany Lions in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

A pair of basketball programs make their return to the NCAA Tournament as the No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies (25-9) face the No. 10 Penn State Nittany Lions (22-13) in the first round of the Midwest Region.

The Nittany Lions are going dancing for the first time since 2011, while the Aggies last punched their ticket to the madness of March in 2018. The head-to-head features the runners-up in each of their respective conferences.

The Lions overcame a 17-point second-half deficit in the Big Ten final to make top-seeded Purdue sweat until the very final possession. Ultimately, Purdue’s Zach Edey tipped the inbound pass, leading to a turnover, and preserving a 67-65 win for the Boilermakers.

The Aggies, meanwhile, won 10 of their final 11 games in conference play to return to the SEC Championship game for the second-consecutive season, setting up a date versus top-seeded Alabama. The Maroon and White managed to keep the deficit within single digits despite shooting just 29.7% from the floor. A&M would go on to fall to the Crimson Tide 82-63.

Here are the details for how to watch and stream Texas A&M’s first-round game in the NCAA Tournament:

2023 March Madness First Round: No. 7 Texas A&M vs. No. 10 Penn State

Game Date: Thursday, March 16

Game Time: 8:55 p.m. CT

Location: Wells Fargo Arena (IA), Des Moines, Iowa

TV Channel: TBS

Live Stream:  March Madness Live

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 Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=7]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fvdd4pnb49trk727 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

ESPN predicts Texas A&M vs. Penn State in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament

ESPN BPI predicts 7-seed Texas A&M vs. 10-seed Penn State before Thursday night’s NCAA Tournament opening-round matchup.

Texas A&M (26-9, 15-3 SEC) is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2018 season, and that’s more than enough to get any Aggie excited for all the potential that the Big Dance has to offer during this magical time of the year.

Saying all I can say and writing all I can write about Head coach Buzz Williams’ squad receiving a surprisingly low seven seed during the selection process is now in the past, shifting the focus to the 10-seed Penn State Nittany Lions, the two will face off as members of the Midwest Region and play their opening round matchup inside the Wells Fargo Center in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday night.

When analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, it comes down to pretty basic basketball, as Texas A&M thrives on turning teams over and scoring in transition while slowing down the pace on offense, Penn State ranks third in the country with only 8.8 turnovers per game, and 11th in 3-point field goal percentage at 38.93%, so in other words, the Aggies need one of their best defensive performances to survive and advance.

On Tuesday, ESPN’s BPI (College Basketball Power Index), predicted Thursday night’s game, but first, here is a description of just how BPI operates:

“a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of performance going forward. BPI represents how many points above or below average a team is. Strength of Record (SOR) is a measure of team accomplishment based on how difficult a team’s W-L record is to achieve. Game predictions account for opponent strength, pace of play, site, travel distance, day’s rest and altitude, and are used to simulate the season 10,000 times to produce season projections. Numbers update daily.”

According to the BPI simulations, 66,3% picked Texas A&M to defeat Penn State, giving the Nittany Lions a 33.7% chance to pull off the upset. As of today, the Aggies are a solid -3.5 point favorite but don’t be surprised if this game comes down to the final seconds.

7-seed Texas A&M vs. 10-seed Penn State is set for 8:55 p.m. CT. at Wells Fargo Arena on Thursday, March 16. The game will air on TBS.

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 Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fvdd4pnb49trk727 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

Joe Lunardi’s prediction regarding the Aggies’ Tournament seeding is just a small part of a larger systematic issue

ESPN’s lead “Bracketologist” Joe Lunardi practically predicted that the Aggies would land in a lower seed than expected due to Head coach Buzz Williams’ “public tantrum” last season

The 7-seeded Texas A&M Aggies (25-9, 15-3 SEC) are set to take on the 10-seed Penn State Nittany Lions on Thursday night, returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2018 season, and first appearance under Head coach Buzz Williams in his fourth season with the program.

On the surface, the Aggies more than earned their spot in the Big Dance after winning 19 out of their last 23 games, notching 15 SEC regular season victories, combined with a second consecutive return to the SEC Tournament Title Game last Sunday, falling to Alabama in a lopsided snoozer.

Even after the loss to the Crimson Tide, Texas A&M ranked 19th in the NET, 25th in KenPom, and 17th in the final AP and USA TODAY Coaches polls, but to the Selection Committee, none of that mattered, so a 7-seed is the best they could do because Buzz Williams had the shear audacity to stand up for his team after their tournament snub last season, simply stating coherent facts which were unsurprisingly translated as “whining” from most of the media landscape.

One insider that many of you know all too well, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi revealed in his pre-tournament Bracket “Hits and Misses” article that he predicted, and possibly knew through sources, that Williams’ “public temper tantrum” would result in punishment if the Aggies were to make it to the tournament this season, and surprise surprise, he was correct.

“The committee did 7-seed Texas A&M no favors. The Aggies were clearly a line or two better than that. Then again, we said last year that A&M’s public temper tantrum over its exclusion from the field was a very bad idea. Committee members are human, after all, perhaps with long memories.”

Furthermore, GigEm247 Beat Writer Carter Karels revealed after the Aggies were selected that during a phone interview with Lunardi back in late February, as the analyst again stated,

“Suppose if A&M and North Carolina are the last two teams this year. Well, there might be one, two or three leftover committee members who go, ‘That guy just would not shut up. Did he have to put out a term paper?’

“To me, that is just bad politics. And frankly, I would have scheduled a little better, too, to take that out of the equation.”

Yes, Joe Lunardi may be a proven insider, but there’s zero evidence that he knew exactly how the committee would respond to A&M’s positioning in the bracket this postseason, but it’s very hard to deny any wrongdoing. If the committee has the power to go beyond the metrics and base their selections on personal anguish, expect passionate coaches like Buzz Williams to withhold their opinions on any matter going forward, especially if their team is on the bubble at the end of the season. Oh, and the other three 7-seeded teams’ NET rankings in the Tournament compared to A&M’s? 42, 42, 33.  Enjoy the bad math, and BTHO Penn 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 Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fvdd4pnb49trk727 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Aggies rise in final AP and USA TODAY Coaches polls

In the final Top 25 rankings from both the AP and USA TODAY, the Aggies finished within the Top 20 in both polls

Texas A&M (25-9, 15-3 SEC) has finally made it back to the NCAA Tournament after one of their best, and most memorable seasons to date, earning their first bid to the Big Dance since the 2018 season, and first time under Head coach Buzz Williams.

Projected as a 5-seed by numerous bracket analytics-based websites while holding an all-important NET ranking of 19 just how before the Selection Show aired, the Aggies were selected as a seven seed in the Midwest Region of the bracket in Des Moines, Iowa, and will face the 10-seed Penn State Nittany Lions on Thursday at 8:55 p.m. CT, which will air on TBS.

On Monday, the Aggies found themselves among the Top 20 teams in the country in the final AP and USA TODAY Coaches poll, ranked 17th and rising one spot from a week ago in both polls. Yep, a team ranked 17th in the country is definitely a seven-seed in the Tournament, no doubt about it…

Aside from going down the conspiracy theory road, Buzz Williams’ relationship with the Selection Committee has been volatile since last season’s press conference just days after the Aggies were snubbed from the tournament after their incredible run in the SEC Tournament. William’s most notable quote criticized the general makeup of the selection process from a statistical perspective.

“The process is obviously flawed, and it is apparent that there is way more included that is unseen and unknown in the selection of the 36 at-large teams… Until there is complete transparency and accountability, the system will stay broken.”

What’s done is done, and while the seeding may be borderline ridiculous, Texas A&M is back in the NCAA Tournament with a chance to continue what has already been a special season, and who knows, maybe the journey is far from over. Gig ‘Em, and BTHO Penn 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 Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fvdd4pnb49trk727 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Texas A&M opens as early favorite vs. Penn State in NCAA Tournament opening round

The No. 7 seed Aggies go head-to-head with the No. 10 Nittany Lions, and the oddsmakers are favoring Texas A&M early on.

For the first time in five years Texas A&M (25-9, 15-3 SEC) will partake in the big dance as the No. 7 seed of the Midwest Region. Standing in their way are the No. 10 Penn State Nittany Lions (22-13, 10-10 Big Ten), with the SEC-Big Ten matchup on deck for Thursday evening.

The sportsbooks have prepped the lines ahead of tip-off, and the oddsmakers are rolling with A&M early on.

The Aggies have opened as early favorites in their opening-round matchup, according to BetMGM. A&M is listed as a 3.5-point underdog versus Penn State and -165 on the moneyline.

Both of these teams have been excellent versus the spread this season, with Texas A&M boasting a 23-11-0 record compared to the Nittany Lions 20-13-2. The Aggies are 4-1 versus the spread in their last five games and 8-2 through their last 10 games overall. Penn State has a hot streak to their advantage, walking into Thursday’s matchup having covered in four straight games.

A&M is coming off an 82-63 loss to Alabama in the SEC title game, but their performance in Sunday’s matchup could ensure a bounce-back game versus Penn State. The Maroon and White shot just 29.7% from the floor while guard Wade Taylor IV went 3-for-11 with four turnovers.

Make no mistake, Texas A&M will clean things up ahead of their first NCAA Tournament action since 2018.

Tune in as the Aggies and Nittany Lions go head-to-head on Thursday, March 16. Tip-off for the first round matchup is set for 8:55 p.m. CT from Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

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 Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fvdd4pnb49trk727 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Buzz Williams Post NCAA Tournament Selection show Press Conference

Hear what Head coach Buzz Williams had to say after Texas A&M was selected as a 7-seed in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night

Texas A&M (25-9, 15-3 SEC) will travel to Des Moines, Iowa as a 7-seed in the NCAA Tournament to face the red-hot 10-seed Penn State Nittany Lions (22-13, 10-10 Big Ten) on Thursday at 9:55 p.m. ET., 8:55 p.m. CT. on TBS. Yes, you read that right, you’re Aggies are a 7-seed.

After falling to the Alabama Crimson Tide 82-63 in the SEC Championship early Sunday, Texas A&M already knew that they would be included among the 68 teams in the NCAA Tournament, but were unsure where they’d be seeded after an impressive second consecutive appearance in the Title game after going 15-3 in the SEC during the regular season.

With a NET ranking of 19 even after the loss, many, including myself, felt the Aggies had done more than enough in the last three months to earn at most a 5-seed in the tournament, but when Selection Sunday finally started rolling through their list of matchups, it was announced that Texas A&M would play in Des Moines, Iowa as a, yes, 7-seed.

Taking on one of the hottest teams in college basketball in Penn State on Thursday in the opening round seems like a minor punishment after Head coach Buzz Williams spoke out against the selection committee at the end of last season, but nevertheless, the Aggies are back in the Big Dance for the first time since 2018, and first time under Buzz Williams leadership.

After Texas A&M was selected, Buzz Williams spoke to the local media who traveled with the team to Nashville, Tennessee for the SEC Tournament, as Williams discussed A&M’s resume this season while giving insight on the reasoning behind their seeding selection. Here’s what he had to say on the matter.

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 Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fvdd4pnb49trk727 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Breaking: Texas A&M officially a 7-seed in the NCAA Tournament and will face 10-seed Penn State in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday

The Aggies are officially a 7-Seed in the NCAA Tournament and will face the 10-Seed Penn State Nittany Lions on Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa

It’s official! Texas A&M (25-9, 15-3 SEC) will travel to Des Moines, Iowa as a 7-seed in the NCAA Tournament to face the red-hot Penn State Nittany Lions (22-13, 10-10 Big Ten) on Thursday at 9:55 p.m. ET., 8:55 p.m. CT.

Now, if we’re being honest here, the Aggies receiving anything below a 5-seed is simply laughable after winning 17 out of their last 20 games in the regular season, including a record 15 games in conference play. In the SEC Tournament, Texas A&M earned a double-bye and faced Arkansas in the Quarterfinal round, coming from behind a first-half deficit to win 67-61, followed by a blowout 87-75 over Vanderbilt in the Semifinals.

Going into their second SEC Championship game in two seasons, the Aggies fell to the No. 1 overall-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide 82-63 on Sunday afternoon, but according to numerous bracket analysts, the Aggies were a safe bet to land as the 5-seed line with a win or loss. Either way, Texas A&M is headed back to the Big Dance for the first time since the 2017-2018 season, and the first time under Head coach Buzz Williams. Gig ‘Em, and BTHO Penn 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 Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fvdd4pnb49trk727 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Wisconsin vs. Penn State: Stream, injury report, broadcast info for Wednesday

How to watch Wisconsin basketball against the Penn State Nittany Lions on Wednesday night:

The Wisconsin Badgers play the Penn State Nittany Lions on Wednesday night, and if you’re wondering how you can watch the action live, you’ve come to the right place.

Coming off of a tough loss to Northwestern, the Badgers hope to rebound against the Nittany Lions to sweep the season series and break their tie for tenth place in the Big Ten.

Wisconsin will need a great defensive night from their backcourt against Penn State guard Jalen Pickett, who leads the teams in points, assists and rebounds. Pickett also finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in the Nittany Lions’ 63-60 loss to the Badgers earlier this season.

Another key for a Badgers’ victory will be getting forwards Steven Crowl and Tyler Wahl back on the right track since they are two of Wisconsin’s three leading scorers so far this season. A scoring threat from the Badgers’ frontcourt will be crucial to help open up their offense and give space to their shooters.

Hopefully, Wisconsin can start right the ship against Penn State, since every game will be crucial down this final stretch of the regular season for their postseason aspirations.

Here’s when you should tune in to see the game:

  • Date: February 8, 2023
  • Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
  • TV Channel: BTN
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch here)

Players to watch:

Points Leaders:

  • Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn: 12.6 PPG

  • Penn State guard Jalen Pickett: 17.3 PPG

Rebounds Leaders:

  • Wisconsin forward Steven Crowl: 6.9 RPG

  • Penn State guard Jalen Pickett: 7.8 RPG

Assists Leaders:

  • Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn: 3.2 APG

  • Penn State guard Jalen Pickett: 7.0 APG

PHOTOS: Wisconsin basketball beats Penn State 63-60

Photos from Wisconsin basketball’s 63-60 victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions:

Although it wasn’t the prettiest win for the Wisconsin Badgers on Tuesday night, they beat the Penn State Nittany Lions 63-60 at the Kohl Center.

Wisconsin forward Tyler Wahl finished with 10 points and five assists in his return from an ankle injury that had sidelined him for the previous three games. However, Wahl was still knocking off the rust, and forward Steven Crowl led the Badgers with a double-double finishing with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Crowl’s size proved too much for the Nittany Lions to handle, and he has now been the leading scorer in five of Wisconsin’s last seven matchups.

Wisconsin will head on the road later this week to matchup against the Northwestern Wildcats, before continuing their road trip into next week with a rematch against Maryland.

Below are photos from Wisconsin basketball’s 63-60 victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions: