Tag: Texas A&M

Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams is thankful not to be ‘the Grinch at my house’ on Christmas

“I remember that Christmas not being a lot of fun. I was for sure the Grinch at my house, and I’m not going to be this year,” Williams said.

The Texas A&M men’s basketball team had a shot at redemption on the line Friday afternoon at Reed Arena and seized the opportunity.

With a dominant 77-45 victory against Houston Christian University, the Aggies avenged their 67-62 non-conference home loss against Wofford exactly two years prior. Texas A&M head coach Buzz Williams displayed relief postgame.

“Two years ago today, I was talking to you. Texas A&M paid for that game, too. It was Christmas. This is a Merry Christmas,” Williams recalled. “I recounted the game against the Wofford Terriers. I think the point guard, who was a freshman, abused us. I remember that Christmas not being a lot of fun. I was for sure the Grinch at my house, and I’m not going to be this year.

“This is the first time we’ve had double-digit wins in a semester. Considering the schedule we’ve played and all that has transpired, it’s the least number of games we’ve played at Reed Arena.”

The Aggies (10-2) have a week off before returning to College Station to host Abilene Christian University on Saturday at 3 p.m. on 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 Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

Coach Michael Earley has ‘great pride in the relationships’ formed with Texas A&M baseball

“It’s something that I loved as a player and I swore I’d never forget how hard this game is. I think that’s why I’m very relatable to guys.”

After being introduced as the new Texas A&M baseball head coach in July, Michael Earley spoke to the Aggie Baseball social media squad about the connections formed with his team, which was released Wednesday.

“I have such great pride in the relationships I have with my players. My guys at Arizona State, they know I still love them to this day and I will help them out with anything. My guys here, from the first guy on the roster to the last,” Earley explained. “I don’t think you coach every guy the same, but I think relationship-wise, you treat them mostly the same. You treat them in a respect or a manner that you know fits them and just get to know these guys deeper on a personal level is super, super important to me.

“It’s something that I loved as a player and I swore I’d never forget how hard this game is. I think that’s why I’m very relatable to these guys.”

Earley officially begins his tenure at the helm of Texas A&M against Elon at Blue Bell Park on Valentine’s Day at 6 p.m.

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 Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

Men’s basketball coach Buzz Williams explains how Texas A&M has started this season 10-2

“Am I personally doing all that I can to help us? How can I find some way, word, action, maybe to move the needle just a little,” Buzz said.

Prior to the Texas A&M men’s basketball team defeating Houston Christian University by a final score of 77-45 on Friday afternoon at Reed Arena, Aggies head coach Buzz Williams explained Thursday morning what has led to the strong start in non-conference play.

“I think you’re just trying to give all of your effort, emotion and energy to what gives us our best chance,” Williams said. “Am I personally doing all that I can to help us? How can I find some way, word, action, maybe to move the needle just a little bit. If half of the games are a coin flip, I don’t think you have any extra emotion or energy to give to anything else.”

Texas A&M (10-2) has won six games in a row. The Aggies have a week off to celebrate Christmas before returning to College Station to host Abilene Christian University on Dec. 28 at 3 p.m. on 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 Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

Coach Lincoln Riley addresses USC players transferring before bowl game versus Texas A&M

“Every school has a budget, this is what we got to spend and you’ve gotta decide. It’s tough because we’re not completely professional.”

Due to the NCAA Transfer Portal, Texas A&M will be playing an undermanned USC football team in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley was asked by the media on Thursday about if he felt a lot of those recent decisions had been influenced by NIL money.

“Yeah, they have on both sides. Every school, you have a budget, this is what we got to spend and you’ve gotta decide. It’s tough because we’re not completely professional,” Riley explained. “When a lot of these guys were signed, it wasn’t in a professional manner. It was sitting in their living rooms, relationships, program, academics, the development, all those things. Now, all of a sudden, it’s shifted midstream.

“That’s what’s made it tough on everybody involved right now. Players, coaches, schools, everybody, because a lot of these guys were brought in under a different system. Now that’s changed. Now there’s a financial component to every decision that we make and every decision that a player makes.”

The Aggies (8-4) will play USC (6-6) at Allegiant Stadium on Dec. 27 at 9:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.

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 Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

‘I have to be the pillar they can lean on,’ Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed is ready to lead

“It’s a new room. I am the leader of it now. That’s a new role and I have to take accountability. I have to be the pillar they can lean on.”

Texas A&M redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed spoke to the media this week and was asked about what he’s focusing on in the upcoming Las Vegas Bowl game.

“Just taking what they give me. Don’t try to force anything, taking what they give me. Try to stay ahead of the sticks and move the sticks when we need to, convert on third downs,” Reed said Tuesday afternoon. “Really, just stay calm in the pocket and don’t get too ancy. I feel like sometimes I leave too early and cause a little bit of a disruption for myself and really the whole scheme of the play. But this game, I’m going to be relaxed, calm, and go out and play my game.

“It’s a new (QB) room. I am the leader of it now. That is a new role, and I have to take accountability. I have to be the pillar they can lean on.”

The Aggies (8-4) will play USC (6-6) at Allegiant Stadium on Dec. 27 at 9:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.

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 Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

Point guard Wade Taylor IV is 14 points away from another Texas A&M basketball milestone

Taylor has already established himself as one of the greatest Aggies men’s basketball players of all time. The stats speak for themselves.

Senior point guard Wade Taylor IV has already established himself as one of the greatest Texas A&M men’s basketball players of all time.

While some may have an instant reaction that disagrees with that opinion, the stats speak for themselves. With 1,764 career points, the Aggies‘ floor general currently ranks third on the all-time points list.

Taylor will likely move into second this weekend as he is 14 points shy of surpassing the mark set by Vernon Smith from 1977-1981. Taylor is well within striking distance of first place, currently held by Bernard King who scored 1,990 points from 1999-2003.

On his way to third, Taylor has passed the following players in order: Rynn Wright, Donald Sloan, Josh Carter, Winston Crite, John Beasley, Acie Law IV and Joseph Jones.

The Aggies (9-2) host Houston Christian University at Reed Arena on Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. on SEC Network. Taylor will likely pass Smith in the first half.

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 Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

‘This is getting out of hand,’ Texas A&M coach Mike Elko discusses NIL and transfer portal

“Obviously, this is less than ideal to be going through what we’re going through right now roster wise with games coming down the stretch.”

This time of year, any time a sports fan opens X, formerly known as Twitter, there is a college football player announcing their entrance into the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Texas A&M coach Mike Elko recently shared his thoughts about the portal and Name, Image & Likeness.

“Obviously, this is less than ideal to be going through what we’re going through right now roster wise with games coming up down the stretch. I don’t have a great solution other than, at some point, we’ll have to figure out some kind of centralized leadership for college football because this is getting out of hand,” Elko proclaimed Tuesday afternoon. “Now, more than ever, this sport needs somebody to step in and create some type of rules and regulations. I am all for the portal. I am all for NIL. I have no problems managing any of that.

“There is a lot of unregulated stuff going on right now, and it’s going to impact young people and young people’s futures.”

The Aggies (8-4) will play USC (6-6) in the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on Dec. 27 at 9:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.

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 Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

Texas A&M senior point guard Wade Taylor signs with Adidas

Wade Taylor is definitely ready for the next level, and that was recognized this week by one of the biggest sneaker companies in the world.

Despite coming back for his senior season, Texas A&M point guard Wade Taylor IV is definitely ready for the next level, and that was recognized this week by one of the biggest sneaker companies in the world.

Taylor was signed Tuesday by Adidas.

“Extremely blessed!! let’s work ///,” Taylor stated via X.

The Aggies’ floor general inked a deal with the three-stripe brand during a historic week. One day after Taylor signed with Adidas, the global juggernaut agreed to a lifetime contract with Milwaukee Bucks superstar PG Damian Lillard, who could eventually become a mentor to Taylor now that he is officially an Adidas athlete.

Other notable basketball players signed to the German company include Los Angeles Clippers combo guard James Harden, Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards, Cleveland Cavaliers SG Donovan Mitchell, Atlanta Hawks PG Trae Young, 2011 NBA MVP Derrick Rose and Basketball Hall of Famers, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar & Tim Duncan.

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 Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

USC bowl opponent loses two key defenders to 2025 NFL draft

USC is enduring roster depletion for its bowl game, but its opponent, Texas A&M, is facing the same problem. It creates a very fluid situation in Las Vegas.

We are less than two weeks away from USC football concluding its 2024 season against Texas A&M in the Las Vegas Bowl.

The Aggies finished the season 8-4, including a 5-3 mark in SEC play. However, they will be without two key defenders in the matchup against the Trojans.

Since the conclusion of the regular season, Texas A&M junior defensive linemen Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart have both declared for the NFL Draft. The expectation is that neither will play against USC in Las Vegas.

Scourton finished the regular season with 37 tackles, five sacks, two passes defended, and a forced fumble. Steward had 31 tackles, two passes defended, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.

Given the Trojans’ makeshift offensive line, USC will certainly not complain about the news. The Trojans have already lost offensive linemen Mason Murphy, Gino Quinones, and Amos Talalele to the transfer portal. It is also not yet known whether NFL-bound seniors Jonah Monheim and Emmanuel Pregnon will play in the game or not.

Even with a relatively mobile quarterback in Jayden Maiava, USC could be in trouble up front in the Sin City. While their opponent being without two of its top defenders certainly won’t fix everything, it should hopefully at least make Maiava’s life a little easier.

Texas A&M men’s basketball team embracing being ‘one of the oldest teams in the country’

“Last year, we had a tremendous season, a lot of memories. What happened to us last year, we took this year and we’re just building off it.”

The No. 17 Texas A&M men’s basketball team earned an impressive 70-66 victory this past weekend against No. 11 Purdue.

After the win Saturday, Aggies senior point guard Wade Taylor IV spoke to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

“It just speaks to our togetherness. Coach always telling us we’re one of the oldest teams in the country, so I think that showed today, our maturity. I think everybody came to play today and were excited. We love 11 a.m. games. We wake up early every day. I think today was a great win for us,” Taylor said. “I think the lessons we’ve learned (is different). Last year, we had a tremendous season, a lot of memories. What happened to us last year, we took this year and we’re just building off of it.

“We have a lot of guys back from that team, a lot of us felt that hurt. We’re just excited to have a go one more time.”

Texas A&M swapped ranking spots with the Boilermakers following the victory.

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 Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.