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4-seed Texas A&M (23-10, 11-7 SEC) entered the first full day of the 2025 NCAA Tournament as an upset pick for nearly every fan and "college basketball expert" due to the program's first-round matchup vs. Yale, as the 13-seed Bulldogs were one of the top shooting teams in the country, and pulled off the upset over 4-seed Auburn in the first round of the tournament last season.
However, those same "experts" conveniently forgot about Texas A&M's elite defense and rebounding dominance. While Yale came into the game ranked 22nd in rebounding, junior forward Pharrel Payne was too much for the Bulldogs' frontcourt. In a game where the Aggies led for nearly the entire game, the junior forward's overwhelming strength led to a career-high 25 points and 10 rebounds in the best game of his Aggie career.
Defeating Yale 80-71, the Aggies shot a surprising 51% from the field and out-rebounded the Bulldogs 37-29, including 10 offensive rebounds. Strategically, while Payne came off the bench, he played 11 more minutes than Henry Coleman, while Andersson Garcia played a team-high 32 minutes, pulling down eight rebounds and producing seven points.
Star guard Wade Taylor IV delivered 16 points. At the same time, fellow senior Manny Obaseki delivered nine points in 20 minutes. Still, one of the surprise performances came from senior reserve guard Jace Carter, who hit two key 3-pointers and a handful of tough layups for 10 points in one of his grittiest performances of the year. Texas A&M's 42 bench points were game-defining.
Payne's dominant play will need to continue for the Aggies to make a deep run, but the bench will need to continue making an impact, which will hopefully open up Wade Taylor from beyond the arc.
Texas A&M will play the winner of No. 5 Michigan (25-9) versus No. 12 UC San Diego (30-4) in the second round on Saturday.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) 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: Texas A&M basketball's role players stepped up in 80-71 win over Yale
Continue reading...
However, those same "experts" conveniently forgot about Texas A&M's elite defense and rebounding dominance. While Yale came into the game ranked 22nd in rebounding, junior forward Pharrel Payne was too much for the Bulldogs' frontcourt. In a game where the Aggies led for nearly the entire game, the junior forward's overwhelming strength led to a career-high 25 points and 10 rebounds in the best game of his Aggie career.
Defeating Yale 80-71, the Aggies shot a surprising 51% from the field and out-rebounded the Bulldogs 37-29, including 10 offensive rebounds. Strategically, while Payne came off the bench, he played 11 more minutes than Henry Coleman, while Andersson Garcia played a team-high 32 minutes, pulling down eight rebounds and producing seven points.
Star guard Wade Taylor IV delivered 16 points. At the same time, fellow senior Manny Obaseki delivered nine points in 20 minutes. Still, one of the surprise performances came from senior reserve guard Jace Carter, who hit two key 3-pointers and a handful of tough layups for 10 points in one of his grittiest performances of the year. Texas A&M's 42 bench points were game-defining.
Payne's dominant play will need to continue for the Aggies to make a deep run, but the bench will need to continue making an impact, which will hopefully open up Wade Taylor from beyond the arc.
Texas A&M will play the winner of No. 5 Michigan (25-9) versus No. 12 UC San Diego (30-4) in the second round on Saturday.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) 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: Texas A&M basketball's role players stepped up in 80-71 win over Yale
Continue reading...
