'Challenging' part of A&M's schedule starts with intense rivalry rebirth
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Texas A&M already has played five Quadrant 1 basketball games.
Now comes the “challenging part” of the Aggies' schedule.
On Saturday, the No. 13 Aggies (11-2) embark on a perilous journey through the hazardous Southeastern Conference. The grind starts at 7 p.m. CT with an intense encounter against Texas (11-2) as a historic rivalry is reborn at Reed Arena.
Texas is 39th in the most recent NET rankings. A&M’s following three opponents — Oklahoma, Alabama and Kentucky — are all ranked among the Top 42 in the NET.
“It’s mind-boggling if you really look at it,” A&M coach Buzz Williams said. “Now that non-conference is overall of the analytics involved with every single team and who the mirror opponents are … they’re saying eight of our 18 games will be Quad 1A. Not Quad 1, but Quad 1A. I don’t think it’s ever happened before. I understand the NET is still semi-new historically, but incredible. Incredible.”
“Quad 1A” opportunities are home games vs. opponents ranked in the NET’s top 15, neutral site games vs. opponents ranked 16-25 or away games vs. opponents ranked 26-40.
Incredibly, A&M and Texas, who have squared off 224 times prior, will be vying for the first time in more than five years.
Although no current players on either team have played in the rivalry — and many aren’t from the Lone Star State — they say they understand its significance.
“Everybody’s like, ‘I just don’t like Texas,” said A&M senior forward Henry Coleman III, who is from Virginia. “I'm like: Alright. I’ve got it.”
Texas forward Kadin Shedrick, a transfer from Virginia, is also learning what the rivalry means.
“I understand what this game means to a lot of people,” he said. “I’m trying to make myself emotionally attached to this game as well.
“I’ve seen other teams at Texas play against A&M this season. They’ve been physical games on the football field. Really emotional games if they’re on the volleyball court and the soccer pitch. I know it’s going to be a really emotional, heated game.”
Obviously, the Aggies and Longhorns have identical records, though A&M has played a more difficult schedule. Texas has played just two Quad 1 games and lost both.
Both teams are among the nation’s best in defense. Texas allows an average of 62 points to rank 15th in scoring defense. A&M allows an average of 62.6 to rank 19th.
Texas averages 8.7 3-point shots per game. A&M averages 7.2.
Both teams are highly dependent on guards. Texas relies on 6-foot-6 freshman Tre Johnson, who’s averaging 19.7 points. The Aggies are led by senior Wade Taylor IV, who averages 15.9 points.
The Aggies are stronger on the boards. They lead the nation in offensive bounds. A&M is eighth in overall rebounding, with an average of 42.9 per game. Texas averages 37.4.
Meanwhile, Texas averages 84.5 points to A&M’s 76.2.
“They are uber-talented,” Williams said. “They play with great pace. They have multiple guys on the team that do not need an action or a ball screen to get a basket.
“We haven’t played a team this fast in a long time. We’ve played some, but not in the month of December. We’ve got to get our motor back going a little faster than it’s been going.”
