Buzz Williams gives optimistic outlook ahead of NCAA Tournament

Early in the season, Texas A&M was a roller-coaster that spent more time in its valleys than at its peaks. However, since conference play kicked off, the Aggies are simply one of the best and most consistent clubs in the country. A few bad missteps in non-conference play ultimately earned them a lower seed than their record would indicate, but make no mistake: A&M is much higher quality than a seven-seed.

Per Buzz Williams, his team’s ability to respond to adversity in the first few months to ultimately develop into a consistent force in the SEC is worth more than a pat on the back.

“Yeah, I think our response, as I’ve mentioned to you before, I think the greatest form of toughness is the consistency to do it every day regardless of result,” Williams said after a tough loss in the SEC title game. He then added: “I think our guys have been evidence of that level of toughness. Yes, we lost three conference games. We really hate that we lost three. We went 15-3. The response after the loss was just as mature as the response was after winning multiple games.”

CLICK HERE to WIN March Madness Prizes in On3’s Bracket Challenge

In conference play, the Aggies came out gangbusters following losses. After falling on the road vs. Kentucky, A&M came out and smacked Auburn by 16 on the Tigers’ home floor. A couple weeks later, they followed up an 11-point loss to Arkansas with a 25-point smackdown of Georgia. And after losing on the road vs. Mississippi State, the Aggies took it out on the other Mississippi school the next time out.

These guys respond to losses well. Their latest came in the SEC Tournament Championship against Alabama and this year’s trends tell us that Penn State is in for a whooping from this Aggies squad. We know Coach Williams is certainly hoping for another positive response to a tough loss.

“I hope that that continues on,” added Buzz Williams. “They’re hurt, as any person would be, to play in a championship and lose. But I think we’ve had reps of responding the right way. I anticipate, hope and pray, that’s the same going forward.”

A&M will open its tournament run against Penn State, a vastly different ball club than their own. The Nittany Lions are the best shooting team in the country and like to go small, spread you out and jack triples. Now, they’re a dreadful offensive rebounding team while Texas A&M is elite in that regard. If the Aggies can pummel PSU on the glass as they have against most smaller teams, then they’ll likely be moving on.