Why Texas A&M has been so good at close games this season

COLLEGE STATION — As Texas A&M men’s basketball prepares for the final eight games of the regular season, it’s proven to be a battle-tested group. The Aggies enter Tuesday’s matchup against the Georgia Bulldogs 8-3 in one- and two-possession games.

The latest test came Saturday against No. 16 Missouri. With the Aggies tied on the road, guard Wade Taylor IV rose up and hit a 3-point shot with 1.8 seconds left to put A&M up for good, as they handed the Tigers their first home loss of the season.

Head coach Buzz Williams believes the skill to win tight games has more to do with the makeup of the person on the court, not necessarily the skills of the player.

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Texas A&M forward Solomon Washington and Pharrel Payne celebrate a win over Missouri on Feb. 8.

“You can never discount their talent. You can never discount the skill of our coaching staff,” Williams told reporters Friday. “But personally, I think we’re here today exclusively because of everything that’s not in the game notes. There’s a lot of intangibles that bind us in a way… a lot of things that are probably swirling around we’ve become oblivious to.”

Texas A&M (18-5, 7-3), which is ranked No. 9 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, enters the game against Georgia (16-8, 4-7) with its highest AP ranking (eighth) in Buzz Williams’ six years leading the Aggies.

A&M’s 12-5 record in Quad 1 and Quad 2 games has them considered an NCAA Tournament lock by ESPN’s Joe Lunardi.

“I do think (the Aggies players are) unflappable, and I think it’s completely an intangible. I don’t think it’s a draw-up, I don’t think it’s a timeout, or ‘Can you make a free throw?'” Williams said. “I personally don’t think that’s what it is… I think this is historical,…

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Author : Austin American-Statesman

Publish date : 2025-02-11 15:02:00

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