Tag: Wade Taylor IV

Houston HC Kelvin Sampson praises the Aggies ahead of Texas A&M vs. Houston in the round of 32

Ahead of Texas A&M’s round of 32 matchup vs. No. 1-seed Houston, the Cougars head coach knows Aggies will be a tough out

9-seed Texas A&M’s 98-83 win over the 8-seed Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night wasn’t a fluke by any means. Just hours after the Aggies’ resounding victory, No. 1-seed Houston destroyed 16-seed Longwood, setting up a round-of-32 rematch between both programs.

A&M’s ascendance from losing five consecutive conference games to reeling off five straight wins to finish off the regular season is built around the guard play of the team’s elite trio, led by Wade Taylor IV and Tyrece Radford. In comparison, junior guard Manny Obaseki’s 128 points in the Aggies’ last seven games have singlehandedly changed the program’s identity for the better.

Knowing what’s in front of them ahead of Sunday night’s matchup, Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson wasn’t shy in expressing just how much of a challenge Texas A&M presents.

“If you look at the SEC right now, probably the best team in the SEC right now is Texas A&M. They’re a team that can get to the Final Four. They’re that good.”

Look, I know that this may sound like, as former Alabama head coach Nick Saban used to say, “rat poison,” but remember that the Aggies, without Tyrece Radford coupled with Obaseki’s lack of playing time, nearly beat the Cougars on the road behind Wade Taylor IV’s 34 points, losing 70-66 back in December.

While the SEC has performed poorly in the NCAA Tournament this year, Texas A&M, Tennesee, and Alabama are the last three programs remaining after two days of play.

Where does Texas A&M hold an advantage on paper? Rebounding. Averaging 42 rebounds per game, only second in the country to Arizona, A&M’s forward rotation of Solomon Washington, Andersson Garcia, Henry Coleman, and Wildens Leveque will need to make an impact early and often.

The match between 9-seed Texas A&M and 1-seed Houston is set for 7:40 p.m. CT and will air on TNT on Sunday, March 24.

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Texas A&M men’s basketball team begins March Madness with win vs. Nebraska in NCAA Tournament

Manny Obaseki was unconscious in the final 5:20 of the first half, scoring 16 straight points to give the Aggies a 14-point halftime lead.

The Texas A&M men’s basketball team is moving on to the round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.

The No. 9 Aggies (21-14) beat No. 8 Nebraska (23-11) by a final score of 98-83 in the first round of the South Region on Friday night at the FedEx Forum in Memphis. In their first March Madness appearance since 2014, the Cornhuskers (0-8) remain as the only Power Five conference program to never win an NCAA Tournament game.

The tremendous trio of guards, juniors Wade Taylor IV & Manny Obaseki, and senior Tyrece “Boots” Radford led Texas A&M to victory. Taylor tallied a game-high 25 points on 8-of-14 field goal attempts & 7-of-10 from 3-point range with 5 assists.

Obaseki was unconscious in the final 5:20 of the first half, scoring 16 straight points to give the Aggies a 14-point halftime lead. He finished with 22 points on 8-of-17 shots, 3-of-5 from downtown & 3-of-5 from the free-throw line. Radford recorded a double-double with 20 points on 8-of-17 attempts & 3-of-5 from the charity stripe with 10 rebounds (5 offensive) and 5 assists.

Texas A&M will play the winner of No. 1 Houston versus No. 16 Longwood on Sunday. The top seed Cougars narrowly defeated the Aggies 70-66 earlier this season on Dec. 16 at the Toyota Center.

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Texas A&M junior guard is named to the NABC All-District Team

Star Texas A&M guard Wade Taylor IV was named the District 20 First-Team prior to the NCAA Tournament

Ahead of the NCAA Tournament the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) named their Division I All-District Teams. On March 19 240 college basketball found out if they made the first or second team in their respective district.

Wade Taylor IV was the lone Texas A&M player to make the District 20 First-Team along with Johni Broom (Auburn), Dalton Knecht (Tennessee), Antonio Reeves (Kentucky), Mark Sears (Alabama). Taylor was also recently named to the All-Tournament team after the SEC tournament where he led all scorers with 82 points through three games.

Taylor and the Aggies will take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers (23-10) in the South Region on Friday March 22 at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. A&M willed their way back into the tournament and Taylor is determined to get Coach Buzz Williams his first NCAA Tournament win in Aggieland.

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How will Texas A&M look to contain Nebraska PG Keisei Tominaga?

Texas A&M’s first round matchup vs. Nebraska in the NCAA Tournament features star Cornhuskers guard Keisei Tominaga.

On Friday, 9-seed Texas A&M (20-14) will take on 8-seed Nebraska in the first Round of the NCAA Tournament, as both squads are competing in the South Region with a chance to likely take on the Top-seed Houston Cougars in the Round of 32.

Outside of the apparent irony surrounding former Athletic Director Trev Alberts’s transitioning to Texas A&M for the same role, we now know the selection committee has a sense of humor, but that’s not the real story behind the matchup. For the Aggies, star junior guard Wade Taylor IV is, as the kids say, an absolute bucket, but so is ascending senior Nebraska guard Keisei Tominaga.

March Madness is made for players like Tominaga, whose underdog background, combined with his ability to hit circus-like shots due to his deep range, has likely led to more than half of the country hopping on the Cornhuskers bandwagon. This is also Nebraska’s first postseason appearance since 2014.

So, how will the Aggies prevent Tominaga from destroying their NCAA Tournament dreams? Well, this is more about A&M’s offense than defense, as the Aggies’ elite guard trio led by Taylor, Tyrece Radford, and emerging junior guard Manny Obaseki will need to take advantage of Nebraska’s 114th-ranked defense and attack the basket at will to put pressure on Tominaga to attempt 3-pointers if A&M can get out to a solid lead.

Even more important, head coach Buzz Williams will likely deploy highly athletic sophomore forward Solomon Williams to put pressure on Tominaga early, something that was not last March during the Aggies blowout lost to Penn State, who shot 59% from 3-point range.

Texas A&M will face Nebraska in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 22 at 5:50 p.m. CT. The game will air on TNT.

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Texas A&M guard Wade Taylor IV named to the SEC All-Tournament team

After scoring 82 points in three games during the SEC Tournament, Aggie guard Wade Taylor IV was named the SEC All-Tournament team

Texas A&M didn’t get the result they wanted in the SEC Tournament after losing to Florida in the Semifinals on Saturday afternoon. Still, nevertheless, the Aggies’ two wins were enough to earn the program its second consecutive NCAA Tournament birth.

Star junior guard Wade Taylor IV was on fire during the SEC tournament last week. He led all scorers with 82 points and averaged over 25 points a game. His memorable play earned him an All-Tournament selection.

Taylor led the Aggies to win over Ole Miss and Kentucky, bolstering the team’s resume and helping A&M earn their No. 9 seed. They will face No. 8 seed Nebraska on March 22 in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Deserving a ton of credit for turning the team around late into the year, head coach Buzz Williams has another chance to earn his first NCAA Tournament win sporting the Maroon & White.

 

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9-seed Texas A&M vs. 8-seed Nebraska NCAA Tournament game time has been announced

Texas A&M’s NCAA Tournament matchup vs. Nebraska in Memphis, Tennessee is set for Friday night at 5:50 CT.

Texas A&M (20-14, 9-9 SEC) has been selected as a 9-seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, taking on the 8-seed Nebraska Cornhuskers on Friday, March 22, in Memphis, Tennessee, in the South Region of the 68-team bracket, and an official time and broadcast station has officially been announced.

Outside of the apparent irony surrounding new athletic director Trev Alberts, who left Nebraska for the position less than a week ago, the selection committee for both the men and women obviously have a sense of humor after pitting both programs against each other for both tournaments.

Either way, you can plan to attend or watch the Aggie men take on the Cornhuskers on Friday, as the game is set for 5:50 CT. and will air on TNT.

While the Aggies have won five out of their last six matchups, Nebraska has been pretty consistent throughout the year. It is led by senior point guard Keisei Tominaga, who averaged 14 points per game and is a consistent shooting threat from deep.

However, Texas A&M’s elite guard trio of Wade Taylor IV, Tyrece Radford, and Manny Obaseki has made the Aggies a tough matchup for any team, as all three players have averaged double-digit scoring outputs in their last five games.

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Texas A&M has made the 2024 NCAA Tournament as a 9-seed facing the 8-seed Nebraska Cornhuskers

Texas A&M has made the 2024 NCAA Tournament as a 9-seed facing the 8-seed Nebraska Cornhuskers!

The Aggies have made it! Texas A&M (20-14, 9-9 SEC) has been selected as a 9-seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, taking on the 8-seed Nebraska Cornhuskers on Friday, March 22, at an unspecified time in Memphis, Tennessee, in the South Region of the 68-team bracket.

This is certainly a sigh of relief for an Aggie squad that dealt with a host of trials and tribulations during the regular season, led by the absence of senior forward Julius Marble and veteran guard Tyrece Radfords’ early season injury issues. After losing five games in a row at the tail end of February, the Aggies found their stride behind the surprise play of junior guard Manny Obaseki, who has scored 106 points in A&M’s last five games.

Winning five in a row to end the year, including an all-important SEC Tournament win over Kentucky, the Aggies all but secured their spot in the tournament and should be very relieved on Sunday night.

Nebraska, who finished the year with 23 wins, its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2014, and first under head coach Fred Hoiberg, the irony is not lost as A&M recently hired former Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts. Hence, the selection committee certainly has jokes up their collective sleeves.

Is Texas A&M’s 9-seed a surprise? Not at all, as the Aggies’ seven Quad 1 wins and 13-10 Quad 1 & Quad 2 record were more than enough to earn this team an at-large bid.

Texas A&M will take on Nebraska in Memphis, Tennesee, on Friday, March 23. The game will air on TNT at 5:50 p.m. CT.

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Texas A&M Basketball receives positive news ahead of Selection Sunday

Texas A&M is sitting in favorable position ahead of Selection Sunday due change in the NET rankings

Texas A&M (20-14, 9-9 SEC) did what it had to do this week during the SEC Tournament, winning two games, including a critical victory over the talented Kentucky Wildcats on Friday night, sweeping the season series while earning a seventh Quad 1 win the process.

On paper, the Aggies should be in the NCAA Tournament based on their impressive resume after dealing with plenty of adversity, ranging from veteran guard Tyrece Radford’s early-season injury issues to senior forward Julius Marble’s absence due to an unforeseen internal issue that hindered the front court’s depth.

However, despite his shooting woes last month, star junior guard Wade Taylor IV has been spectacular, averaging nearly 19 points per game while scoring 62 points in A&M’s last two games, including 12 3-pointers. Adding another dimension to the offense, junior guard Manny Obaseki has been a revelation after barely seeing the court, scoring 106 points in the last five games while earning a much-deserved starting spot.

With all that said, how secure are the Aggie’s chances of earning a tournament bid? Well, thanks to GigEm247’s Carter Karels, Texas A&M’s NET Ranking only dropped three spots from 42nd to 45th, holding a 13-10 Quad 1 & Quad 2 record, and most importantly, the Aggies’ once 5th Quad 3 loss to Memphis back in December has changed back to a Quad 2 loss.

While some believe the selection committee has already made up its mind, leaving a team with seven Quad 1 wins, only 10 teams have more than the Maroon & White.

Oh, and for what it’s worth, Texas A&M is listed as the first team in the “First Four Byes” in Joe Lunardi’s final bracket.

Selection Sunday will take place at 5:00 p.m. CT. and will air on CBS

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Texas A&M Basketball will find out it’s NCAA Tournament fate on Sunday afternoon

After falling to Florida in the SEC Tournament Semifinals, Texas A&M will now have to wait to find out its NCAA Tournament standing.

Texas A&M’s (20-14, 9-9 SEC) SEC Tournament run ended disappointing at the hands of the hot-shooting Florida Gators in the Semifinals, falling 95-90. With the loss, the Aggies will now head back to College Station to await their NCAA Tournament future, which is still unclear according to several Bracketologists.

Using the eye test, the Aggies definitely look like a tournament team after winning five in a row before falling to the Gators, including Friday’s significant 97-87. Star junior point guard Wade Taylor IV scored 62 points in the last two games, while guards Tyrece Radford and the rise of junior guard Manny Obaseki have been nothing short of season-saving.

On paper, Texas A&M’s resume speaks for itself, ending the year with the 21st-ranked strength of schedule, including seven all-important Quad 1 wins and a 13-8 Quad 1 & Quad 2 record. With wins against Florida, Tennessee, Iowa State (neutral court), and two wins over Kentucky, it’s hard to envision a 68-team field without the Maroon & White.

However, just like two seasons ago, nothing is certain, and even though ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi has officially placed A&M in the field and off the bubble as of Saturday night, his prediction is just that: a prediction.

Slated to earn as high as a 10-seed and as low as an 11 or 12-seed, this team will be ready for the challenge and has the playmakers to make some noise in March if invited.

Selection Sunday will take place at 5:00 p.m. CT. and will air on CBS

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Texas A&M men’s basketball team blows 18-point lead vs. Florida in semifinals of SEC Tournament

The Aggies will not be advancing to the finals of the SEC Tournament for the third year in a row after blowing a 18-point first half lead.

The Texas A&M men’s basketball team will not be advancing to the finals of the SEC Tournament for the third year in a row after blowing an 18-point first half lead against Florida.

The Aggies (20-14) were defeated 95-90 by the Gators (24-10) on Saturday afternoon at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Five Florida players scored at least 15 points, led by sophomore guard Denzel Aberdeen with a team-high 20 points on 6-of-9 field goal attempts, 4-of-5 from 3-point range and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. Aberdeen was the difference this weekend after scoring only 2 points during the Gators‘ 67-66 loss at Reed Arena on Feb. 3.

Aggies junior point guard Wade Taylor IV came out on a mission Saturday after tallying 32 points Friday during a victory versus Kentucky. Taylor scored 11-of-15 Texas A&M points to start the game against Florida on 4-of-5 shots and 3-of-3 from downtown.

At halftime, the Aggies led 50-42 and had 40 of their points come from three guards: Taylor (20), junior Manny Obaseki (12) and senior Tyrece “Boots” Radford (8).

Texas A&M’s floor general finished with a game-high 30 points (10-23 FG, 6-12 3PT, 4-4 FT). Eight-two points is the most scored in the SEC Tournament since Collin Sexton with Alabama in 2018.

The Gators went on a 24-8 run in the second half to take their first lead of the game at 72-70 with 7:37 left. Coach Buzz Williams joked with ESPN sideline reporter Marty Smith at intermission about getting him to suit up since most of the key Aggies were in foul trouble, which ultimately sparked Florida’s scoring streak.

The Gators will play Auburn on Sunday at 11 a.m. in the SEC Championship game on ESPN. Texas A&M will now await its NCAA Tournament fate, which will be revealed on Sunday night.

With two victories in a competitive conference tourney, the Aggies have likely locked up a March Madness berth.

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