Aggies prepare to 'Burn the Boats' as 2024-25 tips off vs. Corpus Christi

Entering her third year at Texas A&M, head coach Joni Taylor and her senior-heavy roster are preparing to take the next step toward success.

The first step along that journey comes Monday against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The season-opener is set to tip at 7 p.m. CT at Reed Arena.

After their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2020-21, the Aggies are eyeing a trip back and a stay that extends beyond the first round.

An injury-plagued 2022-23 season prevented regular-season momentum, yet an SEC Tournament run vaulted them in the right direction.

In year two, the Aggies went from a nine-win team to a gritty SEC squad, docking their season on promising ground as a 9-seed in March Madness.

Despite the year-to-year growth, Taylor & Co. are ready to "Burn the Boats."

"It comes from an old war general who led his troops to battle,” Taylor said. "They had to go to an island, and when they got to the island and got out of the boats, his first directive to them was, 'Turn around and burn the boat. Set it on fire.' What's interesting about that is all their supplies were still on the boat.

Zoe Kelton, TexAgs

Entering her redshirt senior season, Aicha Coulibaly averaged 13.6 PPG in 2023-24.

"They burned their food, tents and clothes. Everything got burned. Just creating the mentality of 'There is no plan B. There is no retreat. You have got to go conquer this island.'"

Each year, Taylor's team adopts a motto.

The transition from "Becoming" in year one to "TOUGH" a season ago to "Burn the Boats" speaks to the progress made on the court.

However, there is still work to be done if another postseason appearance is in sight.

Last year's leading scorer, Aicha Coulibaly, returns as a key part of Texas A&M's offensive identity, along with veteran post player Lauren Ware — two of the Aggies' six upperclassmen.

Sophomore Solè Williams, who Taylor announced as the Aggies' starting point guard, will step in to bolster A&M's backcourt.

"She is someone who has the ability to be a two-player and affect the game on both ends of the ball," Taylor said of Williams. "She's going to be our starting point guard. The responsibility that comes with that, and the expectation I have for someone who is playing that position. Being able to manage that and not just think about herself, but the entire team. That's something she has accepted the challenge of and has had tremendous growth in that area."

The Aggies will have to lean on some new pieces as well.

Out of the transfer portal, former LSU guard Janae Kent is a 6-foot-1 guard who can be another mid-range threat but also pound the paint. Amirah Abdur-Rahim, a 6-foot-3 forward coming from SMU, averaged 11.3 points a game as a senior and provides the Aggies with more size down low.

TexAgs

Ohio’s 2023 Gatorade Player of the Year, Solè Williams made just one start as a true freshman in 2023-24.

The talent is there for the Aggies, but perhaps the best ability Taylor's squad can bring to the table is availability.

In both of Taylor's prior seasons, the Aggies encountered difficulty staying healthy, forcing inexperienced players into action.

With only an 11-woman roster and a 28-game regular season, it is beyond important for A&M to avoid the injury bug.

However, Taylor did already announce her squad may be entering their season opener with only ten available.

Voted by SEC coaches to finish 11th, the elite league is not high on A&M in 2024-25. The head coach admits that from a defensive standpoint, her team is not where she would like it to be, and consistently maintaining an identity is still a work in progress.

"Our flow is not where I would like it to be, considering we have a game on Monday. Because of that, I am not satisfied with what our identity is." Taylor said. "We have some things to move the needle and close the gap on in terms of saying who we want to be — That consistently showing up for 40 minutes in a game."

That is exactly why A&M is looking to "Burn the Boats" this season, as Taylor has incentivized her players to be "all in."

"There are 11 of us. It's going to take all of us,” she said. “Everybody has to be committed every day to the plan. From an attrition standpoint, academically, strength and conditioning, on the basketball court and how we show up in all spaces.

"Let's burn the boat. We're all in."