News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M men’s basketball team opens its home slate against the newly-rebranded East Texas A&M Lions (previously A&M-Commerce) at 7 p.m. on Friday at Reed Arena.
The Aggies hold a 4-1 series advantage against the Lions, who joined the TAMU System in 1996. The Aggies prevailed 78-46 last season with Hayden Hefner leading the way with a then-career high 19 points.
The Aggies have won every home opener this century with 24 straight victories since falling against North Carolina A&T in the 1999-00 home lid-lifter.
PROMOTIONS UPDATE (REVEILLE IS COMING!)
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.
MEET REV: Arrive early to visit and get photos with Reveille pregame on the concourse at the Main Entry from 6-6:45 p.m.
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.
PRE-PAID PARKING IS THE WAY TO GO
Any valid Texas A&M permit parking/season permit parking allowed in Lots 100a-c, 100e & 100f, 100g, 100d, 100j, 100m, 100t, 74, 95 and 97
New in 2024-25: Prepaid parking is available, https://tamu.pmreserve.com/. Sales are available onsite via cash or credit but prepaid is encouraged.
TV/RADIO
The game can be viewed on SEC Network+ with Will Johnson (play-by-play) and Tap Bentz (color) on the call.
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.
TRENDS & NOTABLES
The Aggies head into the home opener after a trio of clashes against Big 12 Conference opponents – secret scrimmage at No. 8 Baylor, exhibition at No. 4 Houston (L, 64-79) and season opener at UCF (L, 61-64).
Junior transfer Pharrel Payne made a quick impression with a team-high 15 points and six rebounds in the season opener vs. UCF. A true rim protector, the Minnesota transfer has blocked a total of six shots in the two preseason games + UCF.
A key component of the Aggies’ winning formula last year was drawing fouls and getting to the bonus as quickly as possible, while limiting fouling their opponent. Against UCF, however, A&M was whistled for 24 fouls and had a 24-17 (-7) disadvantage in fouls. The Aggies had the same or fewer fouls in 26-of-36 contests last season with the season-high negative foul discrepancy being -5.
In the loss to the Knights, the Aggies earned only 14 free throw attempts. Last season, the M&W had more than 14 FT attempts in 34-of-36 games.
Wade Taylor IV, who went to the line nearly 200 times last season, shot just two free throws vs. UCF and didn’t go to the line until the 2:13 mark of the second half.
Texas A&M has an uncommon amount of players with extensive starting experience. Aggies with more than 20 career collegiate starts are: Taylor IV (84 games), Henry Coleman III (83), Jace Carter (64 total, 17 at A&M), Zhuric Phelps (63 at SMU), CJ Wilcher (1 at Xavier, 28 at Nebraska), Solomon Washington (25), Manny Obaseki (25), Hayden Hefner (25), Pharrel Payne (24 total, 1 at A&M).
Texas A&M returns seven of its top eight players in scoring and minutes from a year ago.
The Aggies’ No. 13 preseason AP Top 25 ranking matches the highest in school history (2006-07).