Prolonged scoring drought prevents A&M from realizing expectations

Press conference videos courtesy of the NCAA.

DENVER — The destructive effects of a prolonged Texas drought are all too well-known.

Crops fail. Economies crash. Basketball seasons suddenly end.

Such was the case on Saturday at Ball Arena. A four-point Texas A&M lead evaporated during a shooting dry spell that extended for almost six minutes without a field goal.

The damage? An abrupt conclusion to the Aggies’ season with a 91-79 loss to Michigan in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The failure to reach the second week of March Madness marred an otherwise memorable season.

The Aggies posted 23 victories. They defeated the No. 1 ranked team (Auburn) for the first time in school history. They reached the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year under coach Buzz Williams.

But this was also an experienced team with eight players completing their eligibility. That, of course, includes All-SEC guard Wade Taylor IV, A&M’s all-time scoring leader. Therefore, so much more was expected.

Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Wade Taylor IV scored 14 points in his 140th and final game as an Aggie.

Those expectations were certainly within reach when Taylor hit a deep 3-pointer to interrupt a Michigan rally and give A&M a 70-66 lead with 7:58 remaining.

The Aggies frequently flourished down the stretch. They often thrived in crunch time for unlikely comebacks or to hold off opponent rallies.

This time, the Aggies went five minutes and 51 seconds before making another field goal.

By the time another shot fell — Zhuric Phelps’ layup with 1:43 to play — A&M trailed 82-77.

“I think we were getting pretty good shots. Shots that we normally call predictable. Shots we call 'shower shots' that we usually make, but they just didn't fall,” Taylor said. “We just tried to continue to get stops, try to stop the lead.

“But I don't think none of the shots we shot were bad. I just felt like they didn't fall.”

Complicating matters, A&M’s typically strong defense couldn’t contain Michigan. In the final eight minutes, the Wolverines hit six of 13 shots and 12 of 14 free throws.

“We didn't finish at the rim,” Williams said. “We got them into the bonus too much. We didn't shoot enough balls.

“And I didn't think that we protected the rim as well as we have. I thought we did a good job relative to the 3s and the prowess that they have, but in that run, we were not getting stops.”

The Aggies did not panic. They’d experienced droughts before and emerged unscathed.

That might have occurred again. A&M was excruciatingly close to cutting Michigan’s lead to two points in the final minute.

Trailing 84-79, Taylor launched a 3-pointer that was halfway through the basket but somehow spun out.

“I mean, if it goes in, I think we're down probably by two,” Taylor said. “We probably just try to play up straight and get a stop. Thought it was going in. I think all my shots are going in pretty much. But it didn’t.”

That was the last shot of Taylor’s spectacular Texas A&M career.

Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

With a 23-11 campaign in 2024-25, Texas A&M is now 120-73 in six seasons under Buzz Williams. The Aggies have won two NCAA Tournament games in his tenure.

He’ll leave Texas A&M with 2,075 career points and a lasting legacy. His jersey hangs in the Reed Arena rafters.

His exit, though, ushers in doubts about Texas A&M’s basketball future.

Other basketball programs around the country in need of a coach may pursue Williams. Whether he’ll be interested is unknown. However, it is well-known he faces a major rebuilding task at A&M.

Forward Pharrel Payne, who posted consecutive career highs with 25 points in a first-round victory over Yale and 26 against Michigan, could return. So could Solomon Washington.

But Taylor, Phelps, Andersson Garcia, Henry Coleman III, Manny Obaseki, Hayden Hefner, CJ Wilcher and Jace Carter cannot.

Williams brought them together through recruiting and the transfer portal. How quickly can he put together another NCAA Tournament-worthy team?

Apparently, Williams, who was emotional in a postgame press conference, will start immediately. The transfer portal opens on Monday.

“Every coach knows the portal starts officially Monday, and so I'm assuming we'll travel tomorrow,” he said. “I would think that our staff is way ahead in regards to where I need to go and who I need to call and what I need to do.”

At least one person is confident Williams will put together another strong team for Texas A&M.

“I'm super excited to see what Coach and them have going on next year,” Taylor said. “I'm pretty sure that we'll be hands-on and making sure that we're locked in with them no matter who comes in as far as players.

“We're just thankful to be here. We're thankful for the opportunity we've had at this school and what this school has done for our lives.”