Depth looks to stabilize Texas A&M in final non-conference matchup
This weekend is not unlike a dress rehearsal.
Only for Texas A&M, which actors and which roles they fill remain uncertain.
The Aggies (8-4) host Prairie View A&M (5-7) for a non-conference basketball game on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. CT.
However, the status of Tyrece Radford – one of A&M's leads – remains uncertain. Radford has played just once in the last six games.
Wildens Leveque, a starter in A&M's first 11, also missed last week's victory over Houston Christian.
His absence allowed for Andersson Garcia, a familiar understudy, to reel in an astonishing 19 rebounds – the most by an Aggie in a single game since 1990.
Facing the inferior Huskies also allowed Buzz Williams to tinker with a bevy of lineups and rotations in a 79-52 victory.
Ten different Aggies played vs. HCU. Hayden Hefner's career-high 24 points headlined the night as Wade Taylor IV assumed a supporting role to score 10.
Against Prairie View, more of the same could be expected.
The Panthers have lost five of their last six, including a 103-89 loss at UTSA on Thursday night. Their lone win came against NAIA foe North American on Dec. 18.
Historically, A&M has dominated Prairie View.
The Aggies own a dominant 14-0 record in a series that dates back to 1978, during which A&M has averaged 85.2 points and outscored Prairie View by an average margin of 24.6.
In the last two meetings, the Maroon & White have posted a pair of 20-point wins on Dec. 30, 2022, and Dec. 9, 2017, respectively.
More of the same could be expected on Saturday before the curtain is drawn on the SEC slate next week.