Latest news with #WadeTaylor
USA Today
25-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas A&M basketball star writes final send-off after his record-setting career concludes
Texas A&M basketball star writes final send-off after his record-setting career concludes Texas A&M's 2024-2025 basketball season ended in the second round of the NCAA Tournament after falling to 5-seed Michigan 91-79 in disappointing fashion. For head coach Buzz Williams, this was the final ride for a team composed of eight seniors who helped build the program back from the dead, leading to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Leading the way for the past four years, current all-time scoring leader Wade Taylor IV has been the face of the program since his sophomore season, dazzling Aggie fans with his shooting range and clutch shot-making; the undersized guard will leave the program in much better shape, which has already impacted recruiting, and should help land players from the transfer portal in the coming months. Wade Taylor finished his Texas A&M career with 2,058 points, placing him 22nd among the SEC All-Time Leading Scorers, and while his NBA future is unknown, I can guarantee that one of the best guards to ever play in the conference will get a shot at the next level. While Taylor expressed gratitude regarding his Aggie career after the loss to Michigan, the Dallas, Texas native took to X to personally thank Buzz Williams and the Aggie fan base for all the support that came his way. "Aggieland changed my life forever. From a kid with a dream to breaking records and having my jersey retired, it still feels unreal! To Coach Buzz and the entire staff, thank you for believing in me! This journey has truly been a blessing, and I'm forever grateful. Aggie4Life❤️👍🏾" Wade Taylor's No. 4 jersey will wave from the rafters of Reed Arena forever, and while his playing days are over, his presence will continue in the stands and, possibly, on the sidelines in the future.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
When does the 2025 college basketball transfer portal open?
Texas A&M's 2024-2025 season ended at the hands of 5-seed Michigan, losing 91-79 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday afternoon. Sadly, in classic A&M fashion, the Aggies melted down late in the second half after leading by double-digits, as their final 70-66 lead after Wade Taylor IV's 3-pointer was the last gasp before the Wolverines took over. With the loss, head coach Buzz Williams enters the offseason with a depleted roster. Eight seniors will leave the program, including Wade Taylor, Henry Coleman III, Andersson Garcia, and Zhuric Phelps. At the same time, junior forwards Pharrel Payne and Solomon Washington are the only key contributors set to return. The 2025 college basketball transfer portal will open on Monday, and Buzz Williams is well aware of what he and his staff need to do over the next two months. They need to add at least five to six players with starting-level ability, which isn't impossible in today's transfer portal era. Position-wise, losing Wade Taylor, Zhuric Phelps, and Manny Obaseki makes adding guard depth the first task, while Pharrel Payne's ascendence requires depth behind him to fill out the front-court roster and continue the Aggies' streak of elite rebounding and interior defense. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty. This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: The college basketball transfer portal opens on Monday, March 24
USA Today
24-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
When does the 2025 college basketball transfer portal open?
AI-assisted summary The Aggies will lose eight seniors to graduation, leaving a depleted roster for next season. Head coach Buzz Williams will need to utilize the transfer portal to fill out the roster, particularly at guard. Texas A&M will focus on adding depth at guard and frontcourt, aiming to maintain their strong rebounding and interior defense. Texas A&M's 2024-2025 season ended at the hands of 5-seed Michigan, losing 91-79 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday afternoon. Sadly, in classic A&M fashion, the Aggies melted down late in the second half after leading by double-digits, as their final 70-66 lead after Wade Taylor IV's 3-pointer was the last gasp before the Wolverines took over. With the loss, head coach Buzz Williams enters the offseason with a depleted roster. Eight seniors will leave the program, including Wade Taylor, Henry Coleman III, Andersson Garcia, and Zhuric Phelps. At the same time, junior forwards Pharrel Payne and Solomon Washington are the only key contributors set to return. The 2025 college basketball transfer portal will open on Monday, and Buzz Williams is well aware of what he and his staff need to do over the next two months. They need to add at least five to six players with starting-level ability, which isn't impossible in today's transfer portal era. Position-wise, losing Wade Taylor, Zhuric Phelps, and Manny Obaseki makes adding guard depth the first task, while Pharrel Payne's ascendence requires depth behind him to fill out the front-court roster and continue the Aggies' streak of elite rebounding and interior defense. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
USA Today
22-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas A&M basketball vs Michigan prediction: Our pick for 2025 NCAA Tournament 2nd round
Texas A&M basketball vs Michigan prediction: Our pick for 2025 NCAA Tournament 2nd round Texas A&M (23-10, 11-7 SEC) dispatched Yale in round one to set up a round of 32 matchup against a strong Michigan (26-9, 14-6 Big Ten) team that defeated UC San Diego to move on. This is another intriguing game for the Aggies, with the teams evenly matched. Neither team shoots particularly well and relies on its big men to play a lot of cleanup on the boards. With Michigan coming into the games, having played three games in three days, and having a high turnover right, the Aggies can jump on them early. Turnovers are the name of the game, as the Wolverines average 14 per game, while A&M's defense will constantly pressure guards and clog passing lanes as we saw against Yale. March Madness is just that. With both teams getting out of the first round, the experts are split, and A&M holds a slim 2.5 advantage 24 hours before tip-off. The winner will move on to the Sweet 16 and be one step closer to the National Championship. 4-seed Texas A&M vs. 5-seed Michigan game odds All college basketball odds via FanDuel: Spread: 2.5 2.5 Money Line: Texas A&M -142, Michigan +118 Texas A&M -142, Michigan +118 Over-Under: 141.5 Texas A&M Key Players: Wade Taylor IV Zhuric Phelps Henry Coleman III Pharrel Payne Andersson Garcia Solomon Washington Michigan Wolverines Key Players Vladislav Goldin Danny Wolf Tre Donaldson Nimari Burnett Texas A&M vs. Michigan prediction, pick: Texas A&M's early exit from the SEC tournament could prove beneficial, as they are the better-rested team. Both teams emphasize aggressive play in the paint, but Michigan shows a bit more commitment to this approach. The Aggies, however, often find their guards making poor shot choices, leading them to rely on jump shots. This game is likely to be closely contested, but I believe A&M will have the stamina to finish strong and secure a late victory. Prediction: Texas A&M 82, Michigan 78 4-seed Texas A&M vs 5-seed Michigan channel, start time, streaming: TV Channel: CBS Start time: 4:15 p.m. CST Get your Brackets for 2025 NCAA men's basketball tournament We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
USA Today
21-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas A&M PG Wade Taylor proclaims 'Pharrel Payne is phenomenal' after 25-point outburst
Texas A&M PG Wade Taylor proclaims 'Pharrel Payne is phenomenal' after 25-point outburst The Texas A&M men's basketball team beat Yale 80-71 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament thanks to a game-high 25-point outburst off the bench from junior power forward Pharrel Payne. "Pharrel Payne is phenomenal. I remember when he got in the portal, I thought he was super good. I told him we need him. He's been outstanding on and off the court. He's been consistent all year. We're really excited he's on our team," senior point guard Wade Taylor IV proclaimed Thursday. "Sometimes people get confused on what we consider a good offensive half. We've had a lot of good ones this year. We played well in the first half and cleaned it up in the second half." The No. 4 Aggies (23-10) face No. 5 Michigan (26-9) for South Region supremacy in the Round of 32 on CBS at 4:15 p.m. CT on Saturday at Ball Arena in Denver. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on X: @Shaun_Holkko.
