Tag: Zhuric Phelps

Best Photos from Texas A&M’s 87-55 win over East Texas A&M

Here are the photos from Texas A&M’s 87-55 win over East Texas A&M on Friday night

No. 13 Texas A&M (1-1) made the most of its bounce-back opportunity against newly named East Texas A&M on Friday night, blowing out the visitors 87-55 behind a complete team performance, including senior guard Zhuric Phelps’ debut 18-point outing.

Finally, looking like the No. 13-ranked team in the country, the Aggies knew that finishing every game is the goal moving forward, something that plagued head coach Buzz Williams‘ team in the season-opening loss to UCF after being held scoreless with three minutes left in the game.

After losing veteran guard Tyrece Radford this offseason, William’s perfectly utilized the transfer portal, landing starting center Pharrel Payne, guard CJ Wilcher, and, of course, Zhuric Phelps, whose impressive career at SMU was more than enough to help the Aggie offense for at least one season.

Never trailing, Texas A&M’s defense smothered the cross-town Aggies, producing six blocks and eleven steals and forcing 18 turnovers. It’s still very early, but this team looks much improved in several areas ahead of a challenging nonconference schedule.

Here are the best photos from the win, including several shots of Buzz William’s entertaining facial expressions!

Texas A&M senior guard Zhuric Phelps was the Aggies’ missing link

Zhuric Phelps’s inside game is key to Texas A&M taking the next step offensively

After Texas A&M opened the 2024-2025 basketball season with a somewhat shocking road loss to UCF, many of us believed that former SMU guard Zhuric Phelps, who missed the game, left a hole the Aggie offense, especially after center Pharell Payne fouled out of the game.

On Friday, Phelps made his Texas A&M debut against newly named East Texas A&M. The Aggies were dominant on offense and defense, blowing out the visitors 87-55 behind Phelp’s dazzling introduction.

It’s not like Phelps is new to the scene or anything after averaging 14.8 and 17.8 points per game during his final two seasons at SMU, known as a driving force in the paint. After veteran Texas A&M guard Tyrece Radford departed the program this offseason, head coach Buzz Williams knew that Phelps, on paper, at least, looked like Radford’s replacement.

In 18 minutes, Phelps came off the bench determined to prove his importance within A&M’s deep roster. He shot 61% from the field while effortlessly finessing his way into the paint for a game-high 18 points, showing a soft touch on every layup.

Texas A&M’s paint presence finally has a reliable big man in Pharrell Payne to match up with Henry Coleman. This opens up the pick-and-roll for Phelps to shred defense inside and open up the perimeter offense.

This makes star guard Wade Taylor IV’s job easier. The senior’s 10 points and notable six assists proved that dishing the rock results in efficient scoring, with senior guards Manny Obaseki and Zhuric Phelps being able to drive in the paint whenever they’re on the court.

Texas A&M will continue its homestay over the next four games, set to host Lamar on Monday, Nov. 11.

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.

Texas A&M basketball defeats East Texas A&M 87-55 to earn first win on the year

Texas A&M finally looked like the No. 13-ranked team in the country on Friday

Texas A&M (1-1) finally looked like the No. 13-ranked basketball team in the country after blowing out newly named East Texas A&M 87-55 on Friday night, just four days after falling to UCF on the road to open the year.

This Aggie team looked the part from start to finish, shooting 55.7% from the field, including 33% from beyond the arc.

At the same time, former SMU guard Zhuric Phelps, who made his season debut, scored a game-high 18 points and five rebounds, shooting 8-13 while looking like a more athletic version of former Texas A&M guard Tyrece Radford.

Head coach Buzz Williams looked to limit the minutes of his starting five. Star point guard Wade Taylor IV produced a solid 10 points and six assists, feeding the post at a high rate. Forwards Pharell Payne (8 points, six rebounds) and Henry Coleman III (14 points, eight rebounds) combined for 22 points and 14 boards.

However, the shooting of veteran guard Hayden Hefner nearly matched Phelp’s memorable debut, as the senior shot 4-6 for 13 points, including 3-5 from 3-point, looking confident on his stroke while playing great defense on the perimeter.

Defeating a lesser opponent isn’t an impressive feat, but the Aggies needed to show that they have improved on offense and defense, accomplishing both goals on Friday night.

Texas A&M will continue its homestay over the next four games, set to host Lamar on Monday, Nov. 11.

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.

Former SMU guard Zhuric Phelps has committed to Texas A&M

Former SMU guard Zhuric Phelps is headed to Texas A&M for the 2024-2025 season!

Texas A&M head basketball coach Buzz Williams has surprised a bulk of the Aggie fan base this offseason with increased utilization of the transfer portal, already adding former Nebraska sharpshooter CJ Welcher and former Minnesota forward Pharrel Payne, who averaged 10 points and six rebounds during his final season with the Gophers.

After it was announced last week that Williams would host former SMU guard, Zhuric Phelps, the veteran guard is now headed to College Station for a final collegiate season, committing to the program on Monday afternoon. Phelps joins a loaded Aggies backcourt with Wade Taylor IV and Manny Obaseki returning to the lineup.

Phelps’s skillset is on defense. He is one of the best on-ball defenders in the country and averaged 14.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and two steals in 2023. However, he only shot 38% from the field and, worse, a career-low 21.6% from beyond the arc.

As one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the country last season, this obviously doesn’t help this issue, but hopefully, Phelps can continue improving his jump shot and become a solid midrange scorer.

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Texas A&M basketball is hosting former standout SMU guard this weekend

Texas A&M is currently hosting former SMU guard Zhuric Phelps this weekend

After missing out on several transfer portal targets this offseason, Texas A&M head basketball coach Buzz Williams has continued to search for the replacement of outgoing veteran guard Tyrece Radford heading into the 2024-2025 season.

Williams has already done an impressive job this month after adding former Nebraska guard CJ Welcher and former Minnesota forward Pharrel Payne in the last two weeks, as Payne is coming off his best season yet with the Gophers, averaging 10 points and six rebounds per contest.

However, former Oregon State guard Jordan Pope, who was a finalist to land with the Aggies last week, chose rival Texas on Wednesday afternoon. Still, this led Williams to contact a well-known veteran guard out of Dallas, Texas.

On Friday night, Jaxson Callaway (AggiesToday) revealed that Texas A&M is scheduled to host former SMU guard Zhuric Phelps for a visit through Saturday. As one of the top scorers and notable defenders last season, Phelps averaged an impressive 14.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and two steals in 2023. Phelps looks like a perfect fit for Williams’ system with one season of collegiate eligibility remaining.

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.