Gochi's career night helps Ags exploit Yale's inferior interior presence

Press conference video courtesy of the NCAA.

DENVER — Ignore the college basketball “experts” who thought No. 13 seed Yale would upset No.4 seed Texas A&M in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night.

A more accurate prediction could have come from muscular, mohawk-wearing 1980s actor “Mr. T.”

Imagine his response: “Prediction?  … Payne.”

Maybe no one else could have predicted the pain A&M’s Pharrel Payne — aka “Gochi” — would inflict on Yale in A&M’s 80-71 victory at Ball Arena.

He was by no means a lone star from Texas. Wade Taylor IV was typically productive with 16 points. Jace Carter came off the bench for 10 points and ignited a pivotal rally. Andersson Garcia did Andersson Garcia things with seven points, eight rebounds, three assists, a blocked shot and a steal.

But Payne was the biggest difference between A&M and Yale, which had no answer for the 6-foot-9, 250-pound junior from Minnesota.

“I would say my mindset before the game was just to be aggressive,” Payne said. “My inside game was working for me all night.”

That’s an understatement.

Payne scored a game-high 25 points. He had 10 rebounds. He hit 10 of 12 shots. He hit five of his six free throws. He generally owned the paint.

When Yale’s 6-foot-10 sophomore Samson Aletan got into foul trouble with three in the first half, the Ivy Leaguers had no Payne relief.

“Samson Aletan ended up playing 15 minutes in the game,” Yale coach James Jones said. “We just didn’t have the size, the matchup against (Payne).”

A&M coach Buzz Williams agreed that Aletan’s foul trouble was an issue. But the Aggies exploited that issue by looking for Payne without hesitation.

“I do think getting (Aletan) in foul trouble helped us,” Williams said. “I think that changes how coach (Yale’s James Jones) was utilizing their roster.

“I thought Lyle (Wolf, assistant coach) did a great job, as did our team, to put ‘Gochi’ in positions to be successful.”

That’s another understatement.

What could not be overstated is the impact Payne has had on the Aggies.

When he came to A&M from Minnesota through the transfer portal, he was seen as the missing piece to the Aggies’ puzzle. They needed more muscle inside, and Payne has definitely provided.

“Pharrel is phenomenal,” Taylor said. “I remember when he got in the portal. Man, he’s really good. I remember sitting in coach’s office, watching some of these clips. I sent him a text immediately: “We need you.’

Kay Naegeli, TexAgs

Pharrel Payne’s previous career high in points was 23, set on Feb. 2 ​​​vs. Alabama and matched on Feb. 26 vs. Vanderbilt. 

“Ever since he’s been on campus, he’s been outstanding, on and off the floor. I’m proud to say he’s my big man. That’s just a testament to what he’s done all year. He’s been consistent all year. We’re really, really excited he’s on our team.”

Payne has had a solid year in College Station. He has averaged 9.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and blocks a shot or two.

But he reached a higher level against Yale.

The Aggies held a 41-29 lead at the break after Taylor drilled a 3-pointer in the final seconds. Yet, Payne had been the dominant force with 10 points in the first half.

That continued in the second half. He scored a dunk, was fouled and converted the first of two three-point plays. He banked in a jumper from the baseline.

Then, he got much-needed help.

Yale is among the nation’s highest-scoring teams. The Bulldogs are also among the country’s most accurate from the 3-point line.

So, it was just a matter of time before they would make a run.

That time came midway through the second half.

The Aggies were struggling. They had not scored in almost three minutes. They had missed nine consecutive 3-point attempts.

Yale took advantage. The Bulldogs cut an 11-point deficit to six, 58-52, with 8:36 left.

That brought a roar from the crowd, thirsting for an upset. It also brought a timeout from Williams, who recognized his team needed to regroup.

Kay Naegeli, TexAgs

Jace Carter reached double-figures for the first time since the Aggies’ 72-67 victory ovr Texas Tech on Dec. 8.

Soon after the timeout, A&M moved the basketball around the perimeter until it went to Carter, who’d just come off the bench.

Carter has struggled at times this season but fearlessly launched a shot from the left wing. It was perfect.

On the Aggies’ next possession, he rebounded a Zhuric Phelps misfire and put it back in.

Those two baskets started a 9-0 rally that staked the Aggies to a 67-52 lead with just under six minutes left.

Yale tried to muster another rally. The Bulldogs got within 69-60. But any thoughts of pulling off the upset was denied by Payne.

He scored a layup with 3:06 to interrupt Yale’s mild rally.

He followed that with a put-back of an offensive rebound on which he drew a foul. He converted the three-point play.

Later, he added two more free throws to complete the best game of his career.