Buzz Williams on outside perception of Texas A&M: ‘The opinion of others does not impact me’

The Texas A&M basketball team saw its season come to a close against Michigan in the Round of 32. The Aggies just didn’t quite have enough in the tank to take down the Wolverines.

So a veteran group, led by Wade Taylor IV, has played its final game with the Aggies. Coach Buzz Williams was asked to reflect on what he hoped the outside world remembered from this group of seniors.

“Respectfully, the opinion of others doesn’t impact me,” Williams said. “But what has impacted me is the relationship with these guys. Obviously it’s an emotional time. We wanted not only to win for the right reasons, we also just wanted to continue to stay together. And I know that sounds maybe like fluff. It’s actually the truth.”

Texas A&M actually led the game for a good chunk of the second half against Michigan. Then, with about eight minutes to play, everything flipped.

The Wolverines started dominating, eventually pushing the Aggies to the brink. They broke, and Michigan ran away with the 91-79 win to advance to the Sweet 16.

Williams doesn’t plan on looking at what everyone’s saying about Texas A&M. At this point it doesn’t do any good.

“I’ve quit looking at all of that stuff, and I know that it comes with it, so I’m not complaining,” Williams said. “And I understand the exposure is part of why all of us are doing so well. So I’m not comparing my job to people who are saving lives and protecting our freedom in any sort of way. Nor am I a simpleton in understanding how complex this industry has become, like all industries, including yours.”

The bottom line? Williams is happy to have had the journey with his Texas A&M players. It’s an experience not everyone gets to have.

“But to have the lifelong relationships that have been created here over a long period of time is very rare,” Williams said. “And so I’m honored and humbled and thankful.”