News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M men’s basketball team (6-2) hosts the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (7-2) in a SEC/ACC Challenge matchup at 8 p.m. on Tuesday at Reed Arena.
STATISTICAL COMPARISON
|
Statistic |
Wake Forest |
Texas A&M |
|
FGM |
24.2/G |
26.0/G |
|
FGA |
56.6/G |
61.9/G |
|
FG% |
.428 |
.420 |
|
3PM |
6.6/G |
6.9/G |
|
3PA |
24.9/G |
23.0/G |
|
3P% |
.263 |
.299 |
|
FTM |
14.4/G |
18.9/G |
|
FTA |
19.4/G |
27.6/G |
|
FT% |
.743 |
.683 |
|
Off. Rebounds |
9.6/G |
17.6/G |
|
Def. Rebounds |
25.2/G |
26.3/G |
|
Rebounds |
34.8/G |
43.9/G |
|
Assists |
12.9/G |
12.5/G |
|
Steals |
7.7/G |
6.8/G |
|
Blocks |
4.7/G |
4.5/G |
|
Turnovers |
12.4/G |
11.9/G |
|
Points |
69.4/G |
77.8/G |
TV/RADIO
- Calling the action on ESPN2 are Brian Custer (play-by-play) and Jon Crispin (color).
- The matchup airs on the Texas A&M Radio Network, locally on 1620 AM/94.5 FM or worldwide on the 12th Man Mobile App with Andrew Monaco and Dr. John Thornton describing the action.
NEED-TO-KNOWS
- Last season’s NCAA leaders in offensive rebounds/G (17.4) are back at the top of the leaderboard in 2024-25 at 17.6, which is 1.2 offensive rebounds/G more than any other team in D1. Six Aggies have 10+ offensive rebounds in just eight games, and four have 18 or more. Henry Coleman III leads with 32 or 4.0/G.
- Coleman leads the SEC and ranks in a tie for No. 9 nationally in offensive rebounds/G. Among D1 players averaging less than 22:00 minutes/G, HCIII ranks No. 2 nationally.
- Getting to the FT line has been perhaps the biggest indicator of Texas A&M’s success or failure. The M&W are 0-2 when earning 20 or fewer FTA and 6-0 when taking more than 20.
- To the surprise of no one, the Aggies’ two lowest shooting games in 2024-25 (32.4% vs. Oregon, 36.5% at UCF) resulted in losses. Last season, strangely, the Aggies were 7-6 in their 13 worst shooting games.
- Since a season-low 53.8 FT% vs. Southern (11/20), the Aggies put together three straight games of 69.6% or higher in Las Vegas (72.9% cumulative). Texas A&M out-shot its opponents 85-64 at the line in the tournament.
- Texas A&M has been out-rebounded just once this season – 42-35 by Rutgers in its most recent game. The Aggies have won the rebound battle by at least six in every other game and own a 10.0/G rebound margin for the season.
ABOUT THE MATCHUP
- The two teams have played just twice previously, with the Aggies beating the Demon Deacons in the most recent meeting in the quarterfinals of the 2022 National Invitational Tournament, 67-52, at Reed Arena.
- Among the Aggies seeing action in the 2022 meeting that will be on the court for the 2024 game include Wade Taylor IV (12 points, 3 assists), Manny Obaseki (8 points, 5 rebounds), Henry Coleman III (8 points, 5 rebounds) and Hayden Hefner (2 points, 3 rebounds).
- Wake Forest features a pair of familiar faces as head coach Steve Forbes and assistant coach Antanas Kavaliauskas return to Aggieland. Forbes and Aggie head coach Buzz Williams were assistant coaches under Billy Gillispie at Texas A&M in 2004-05 and 2005-06 and helped orchestrate one of the best turnarounds in the nation, as the Maroon & White improved its win total in 2004-05 by 14 games compared to 2003-04. Kavaliauskas played at Texas A&M for two seasons (2005-07) and helped the Aggies to a Sweet 16 appearance in 2007. He was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team in 2007 after averaging 11.9 points and 6.3 rebounds.
PLAYERS ERA REVIEW
- Texas A&M went 2-1 in the inaugural Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, falling to eventual champion Oregon (80-70) in the first game before battling to hard-fought victories over No. 21 Creighton (77-73) and Rutgers (81-77).
- Wade Taylor IV was named to the All-Tournament team after averaging 19.0 points/G with 13 assists and 11 rebounds. He had a season-high 24 points vs. Rutgers, including 16 in the second half.
- Henry Coleman III was the leading rebounder at 7.3/G while also chipping in 11.3 points/G. He went 14-of-18 from the field (.778) and 6-of-7 from the FT line.
- Also averaging 10+ points/G was Zhuric Phelps (11.7), including a season-high 20 vs. UO.
- The Aggies failed to hold a 10-point second-half lead against Oregon, but overcame nine-point deficits against Creighton and Rutgers.
- All three games were one-possession contests after the under-4 timeout in the second half: Aggies and Ducks were tied 70-70 with 2:21 remaining; Creighton led 70-69 with :58 remaining; Rutgers led 77-76 with 3:10 remaining.
PROMOTIONS UPDATE
- A&M FACULTY & STAFF APPRECIATION: 2 FREE tickets for all faculty & staff in advance and on gameday. Additional tickets $5 each. Email 12thManMarketing@athletics.tamu.edu for promo code.
- 12TH MAN REWARDS DOUBLE POINT EVENT: Earn DOUBLE points when checking into the game within 12th Man Rewards. Login or create a 12th Man Rewards account within the 12th Man Mobile app (official app of Texas A&M Athletics).
- ‘TIS THE SEASON 12MR PUNCH CARD: Attend and check in to 12th Man Rewards at any (2) of (7) men’s and women’s basketball home games in the month of December to claim an A&M ugly sweater crewneck.
- AGGIE BASKETBALL FAN ZONE: Located at the North entry of Reed Arena, the Fan Zone includes games, giveaways, and activities for the whole family! For ALL fans opening one hour prior to tip-off.
- STUDENT GIVEAWAY: ’24-’25 Reed Rowdies shirts available for ALL students in the Fan Zone.