Buzz Williams responds to Texas A&M's initial ranking from NCAA Tournament Selection Committee

No. 7 Texas A&M needs to stay on the right bus if they want to remain on the two-line or better.

Following their win on Saturday, Buzz Williams reacted to the Aggies being the No. 6 overall team, which has them as a No. 2 seed, in the initial rankings for the bracket by the NCAA Selection Committee. As of now, though, he needs Texas A&M to be focused on what they need to be with one another while others can make something of this first rating by the NCAA.

“Yeah, I think one of the things that we’ve been trying to concentrate on physically, mentally, with the words we use – and I think, I don’t know what our guys say to you guys. But how can we strive, if we’re on team bus one – how can we all strive to give our absolute best to the buckets that we’re in charge of and be completely present to be accountable for those buckets?” Williams thought. “I think you have to be careful. I mean, obviously, I’m aware of playing in the NCAA Tournament and all those things. But, if you’re not careful, all the things that you’ve worked to get to this point? You lose some of that if you can’t be tough enough to do your job right now, so to say.

“And so, how can we strive to be our best and be present if we’re on team bus one? And I think that’s the best gift we can give to one another – each coach, each player, those that are on the bus. I know we probably expend too much money having a second bus but that’s on purpose. If you’re on bus number two? Get on Twitter and talk about the seed as much as you want. But, if you’re on bus one? We’ve got to be locked in.”

With that, the Aggies are already on to the next thing. That starts with two ranked matchups this week in conference play with the pair being opportunities in Quad I. The first of those is later tonight at tip-off at The Hump.

“And, so, what is next on our list? We’re going to write thank you notes when we arrive at the hotel in Starkville. Our guys know that that’s what’s coming next. Rebounding clips are in the morning before we leave for shootaround. They know when that starts. And so, once thank you notes are over, I know exactly what I’m going to do on my computer with the film relative to my game charts, the game day notes, all of those things,” Williams said.

After earning that ranking, Texas A&M won by eight over Arkansas this weekend. That moved them to 20-5 overall and 9-3 in the SEC, which has them in a tie for third in the current standings with Florida. However, they are slightly lower at No. 11 in the NET despite having seven wins with the seventh-best record versus Quad I.

The Aggies are right there with their resumé to be one of the top overall seeds in March Madness. That’s with multiple opportunities to make the most of if they keep things where they are.