A&M hoping to find another February surge as Florida ventures to Reed

The February surge usually comes. Texas A&M just needs it to come earlier than usual.

Since Buzz Williams arrived as basketball coach five years ago, the Aggies routinely have boosted forgettable seasons with memorable winning streaks.

Those streaks typically have come after Valentine’s Day.

But the Aggies (12-8, 3-4) need to duplicate last year and start an early surge when they face Florida (15-6, 5-3) on Saturday at 3 p.m. in Reed Arena.

Williams said the key to February surges has been quite simple.

“I think our staff has always been really good at identifying where we are deficient and then trying to present to our team in a way that they can understand. Then practicing to improve in those things,” he said. “It can’t be nine things, but can there be two or three things? That becomes something we’re focused on.

“We’ve tried to do that every year we’ve been here, and we’ve had some level of success with that.”

The Aggies need another surge. Their standing in the Southeastern Conference championship race is slipping after a home loss to Ole Miss last Saturday.

A few more losses and the Aggies’ NCAA Tournament aspirations may even be in jeopardy. A&M’s NET ranking has fallen to No. 46.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

A&M has won four straight games vs. Florida, including last year’s 54-52 nailbiter on Jan. 18.

That rank could begin a climb if the Aggies can repeat last year’s February run. They went 9-1 in regular season games in February and beyond. That solidified a No. 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

In 2021-22, A&M was just 15-10 midway through February. After Valentine’s Day, the Aggies won five of six to close the regular season. They then reached the finals of the SEC Tournament.

Unfortunately, they had to settle for the NIT.

In 2019-20, the Aggies were 11-12 before Valentine’s Day. Afterward, they were 5-2 with a victory over No. 17 Auburn.

A&M played no games in February of 2021 because of a COVID-19 outbreak.

A hallmark of each of those surges was free throw shooting. The Aggies shot at least 70 percent at the foul line in the surges of ’22 and ’23. They shot 71.6 percent in their five wins in 2020.

Free throw shooting was problematic in the Aggies’ 71-68 loss to Ole Miss last week. A&M converted just 54.5 percent (12 of 22) at the line.

The Aggies still plan to attack the rim to draw fouls and get the free-throw line.

But they may have to do it without second-leading scorer Tyrece Redford. His playing status is uncertain because of an off-court incident.

That, too, won’t help A&M’s game plan.

“We have to follow the game plan we’ve followed all year,” said forward Henry Coleman III, who averages 11.2 points and 7.4 rebounds. “We have to be the most physical team and the best team on the glass all night. We have to play downhill, continue to try to get fouled, and continue to try to make the game as grimy as possible.”

A&M relies heavily on offensive rebounding. The Aggies lead the nation in offensive boards.

However, they may not come as frequently against Florida, which is second nationally in offensive rebounding and leads the country in total rebounds.

The Gators, who most recently defeated No. 10 Kentucky, 94-91, are led on the boards by 6-foot-11 Tyrese Samuel, who averages 8.5. They also have 6-foot-11 Alex Condon and 7-foot-1 Micah Handlogten, who both average more than seven rebounds.

The Gators are also third in the SEC in scoring. Junior guard Walter Clayton Jr. averages 16.2 points to lead five Florida players averaging in double figures.

The Aggies, of course, depend heavily on junior guard Wade Taylor IV. He’s third in the SEC in scoring and has averaged 28 points over the last five games.

Taylor needs more help, though. Where might that come from? If Radford cannot play, the Aggies will need Coleman, guards Jace Carter and Hayden Hefner or forwards Andersson Garcia or Solomon Washington to contribute more.

That doesn’t necessarily mean points, though.

Carter pointed out A&M’s last two losses to Ole Miss and Arkansas have been by a combined four points. He said the Aggies just need to make one more play.

“We’re playing so many good teams every night,” Carter said. “Our average loss ratio is 2.2. That’s one possession, two possessions. It’s just finding that extra possession, finding that extra rebound, finding that extra layup, making that extra free throw.”

Find that extra play, and A&M could start another February surge.