Texas A&M refusing to take resume for granted ahead of Starkville trip
One school of thought is that Texas A&M has clinched a place in March Madness and is just trying to get the highest possible seeding in the NCAA basketball bracket.
But Aggies’ coach Buzz Williams isn’t enrolled in that school.
He maintains the No. 25 Aggies (21-,7, 13-2) are fighting for their NCAA Tournament lives when they travel to face Mississippi State (18-10, 6-9) in a Southeastern Conference clash on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
That seems absurd. The Aggies have won six straight, trial SEC-leading No. 2 Alabama by just one game in the standings and are ranked No. 22 in NET.
But Williams apparently isn’t taking anything for granted after the Aggies were shockingly omitted from the field of 68 last year.
“We were ranked 36th in the NET last year and didn’t get an invite,” Williams said on Friday. “There’s 10 days (and three games) to go before the conference tournament.”
Williams’ apprehension is somewhat understandable after last year’s laughable snub.
Still, the Aggies are close to being a lock for the NCAA Tournament. Indeed, some national “bracketologists” project A&M as at least a #6 seed.
Any remaining doubts — even if they’re only in Williams’ mind — should be assuaged with a win over Mississippi State. That would be considered a Quad I victory, which would further boost A&M’s postseason resume.
But like Williams’ opinion on NCAA Tournament inclusion, a win over Mississippi State — which is fighting for its postseason life — cannot be taken for granted.
Although their overall record is unspectacular, the Bulldogs are 10-4 at Humphrey Coliseum. That includes victories over Missouri and TCU and close losses to Kentucky (71-68) and Florida (61-59).
Forward Tolu Smith, a 6-foot-11 senior who averages 14.9 points and 8.4 rebounds, is the primary offensive threat.
However, Mississippi State wins with defense. The Bulldogs are ranked sixth in the nation in scoring defense (59.5 points per game) and field goal percentage defense ( 38.8 percent).
“They’re ultra-sound, defensively,” Williams said. “(They) Do some zone stuff in the full court and in the half court to keep you off pace. (They’re) Predominantly man, with really long, big, strong athletic players that can guard multiple positions. They switch a lot. Sometimes they switch everything.”
A&M provides a major challenge for that defense. The Aggies have averaged 73 points in their six-game winning streak.
Sophomore guard Wade Taylor IV has been on a torrid pace. In the last five games, Taylor has averaged 21.8 points, has hit 16 times from 3-point range, has converted 43 of 47 free throws (91.4) percent and has 22 assists.
“I think he’s very aware of what he can do,” Williams said of Taylor. “I also think he’s very aware of what his teammates can do. He has as high a feel of time, score and momentum as I’ve ever been around.
“I think he helps put his teammates in the best possible position, and I think he knows when it’s time for him to make a play or make a play for someone else.”
