Buzz Williams describes how important recent wins are entering SEC play

As Texas A&M gets ready to open SEC play on Wednesday, coach Buzz Williams believes the past week has gotten them prepared. The Aggies had a couple of tune-up games against Northwestern State and Prairie View A&M, winning both to improve their record this season to 8-5.

Now the competition is about to get much more fierce, as A&M is set to tip off against Florida (7-6) on Wednesday. As he leads his team into that matchup, Williams spoke with reporters about the importance of staying in the same routine that led them to victory last week.

“I think the wins are important, obviously,” the coach said. “But I think also the routine of what we did last week has probably been second-most important as far as what we do two days before a game. What we do one week before a game. We did that twice last week where we worked six days in a row and that’s what we’re gonna do the next nine weeks. Obviously that was scheduled with intent to have that week of practice reps for what would be upcoming the next nine weeks.

“I think some of that — I understand we haven’t played the game yet — but I think on Monday and Tuesday, those reps came to life even today. So winning is obviously important, but I think all the things that went into winning last week, there’s some residual positive effect already this week.”

The Aggies have been led by the backcourt duo of Tyrece Radford and Wade Taylor IV this season. Radford is coming off of a 20-point performance in the win against Prairie View A&M, while Taylor leads the team in scoring with 15.5 points per game in addition to 3.5 assists and 2.3 steals.

Florida opened SEC play last week, falling 61-58 to Auburn in a tightly contested game. The Gators are led by senior forward Colin Castleton, who is averaging 15 points and 7.6 rebounds per contest.

Buzz Williams and Texas A&M have a lot to prove in SEC play this year after a strong end in the conference tournament last season. The Aggies reeled off seven straight conference wins last year to make it to the conference championship game, but ultimately lost to Tennessee and missed the NCAA Tournament. They finished as the NIT runner-up and will look to build upon that heading into league play in 2023.

Tip-off between the Aggies and Gators is set for 6 p.m. CT on Wednesday in Gainesville.