Buzz Williams highlights A&M's maturity ahead of historic SEC gauntlet

On a seven-game heater, No. 13 Texas A&M rolled through its final stretch of non-conference play. Head coach Buzz Williams joined TexAgs Live to speak on the treacherous SEC schedule ahead, beginning with archrival Texas on Saturday at Reed Arena.

Key notes from Buzz Williams interview

• Wade Taylor IV has done an unbelievable job. He is a great person. I think he has worked really hard since the year-end last year on finding a way to have an impact without the ball in his hands. He is a magnet. Everyone enjoys being around him. He is unselfish.
   
• Taylor’s first step is very underrated, and it was before he got here. His quickness is tremendous. Like all players at this level, he has continued to find ways to create space. It's how he utilizes it. He is at his lowest body fat since he arrived in Aggieland. He loves being in the gym, and he has always been consistent in that. He spends as much time as anybody in the country with his finishes. When you are his size, you have to be creative in the four- to eight-foot range.
   
• I have great belief and trust in who these players are as people. I have had more time in the last 10 days to have a broader vision of what has transpired in the last 10 weeks. The margin is almost invisible. When the season is over, I predict we will have 25 Quadrant 1 or 2 games. Seven of the first 13 we have played have either been Quad 1 or Quad 2. I think, mathematically, we went about it the right way. We have learned the maturity that is required. Yes, you have to be talented and be somewhat injury-free, but maturity is paramount. It has forced us to grow up. When you have played in the environments we have played, especially the neutral site games, it teaches you the value of possession.
   
• After Abilene Christian, I wanted to understand what we had done to contextualize where we were going. You get so consumed in your own world and your own preparation. I was studying the SEC before Christmas. Right now, every game except will be Quad 1, but it may end up being Quad 1 by the end of the year. Three of the teams haven't lost a game. Will there be 12 or 13 that get at-large bids into the NCAA tournament? It's historical.
   
• We have consistently played 10 guys through 13 games. You wouldn't think that would be the case with the schedule we have played. Guys off the bench have had significant roles in those games.
   
• I thought CJ Wilcher was incredible. He made the shots, and part of that was how we subbed him. Whether they start or don't start, they are comfortable with their role. We need to be a little better in our role because of what is required over the next 10 weeks. We are excited about what is coming even though there will be a lot of rollercoaster moments in it.
   
• In practice, today and tomorrow, it's an "us" day. It's a good change of pace because we can just focus on ourselves. Considering how our schedule has played out, it's a rarity, so it will be healthy for us. It will be a little clunky when you play on Wednesday and Saturday in conference play. We will play two games in eight days five times over the next 10 weeks. We think we have planned it out right.
   
• This will be my 17th year of doing “One Word” as a head coach. We have our own party on New Year's Eve. The team has dinner and games, and I teach a lesson around Jon Gordon's book "One Word." Instead of multiple resolutions, everyone comes up with one word. What does it trigger in you to accomplish personally and professionally? I always tell the program what my word is. We all get them on shirts.