Texas A&M (9-2) earned its most significant win of the year after defeating No. 11 Purdue 70-66 in the Indy Classic. While the matchup is listed as a neutral site game, this felt like an NCAA Tournament atmosphere surrounded by 90% Purdue fans.
This season, Texas A&M’s defense has been suffocating for nearly every opponent they’ve faced. Against three of the top 3-point shooting teams, the Aggie’s length and physicality have disrupted game plans and ruined offensive rhythm, which the Boilermakers endured throughout Saturday afternoon.
Texas A&M’s defense held Purdue to 35% shooting from three-point range and secured a 34-23 advantage in rebounds, featuring 14 offensive rebounds. Offensively, standout guard Wade Taylor IV contributed 15 points. In comparison, junior forward Pharrel Payne added 16 points and nine rebounds, tying guard Zhuric Phelps (16 points) for the team’s scoring lead for the evening.
The Aggies look like they can beat any time right now with this level of defense, and with two nonconference games remaining before SEC play, it’s time to finish things out strong before facing Texas on Jan. 4.
Here are five takeaways from No. 17 Texas A&M’s 70-66 win over No. 11 Purdue.
5. Texas A&M’s defense is playing at a championship level
Based on what we saw on Saturday, Texas A&M’s defense might be the best in college basketball, and KenPom agrees. After limiting the Boilermakers to 35% from beyond the arc, the Aggies’s length and physicality were relentless, especially with junior forward Pharrel Payne leading the way.
Texas A&M’s offense is still a work in progress and is the only reason the Aggies aren’t undefeated at this season stage. However, senior guard Zhuric Phelps has improved as a reliable scorer despite his turnover issues. In contrast, star guard Wade Taylor IV has commanded the floor and become a true point guard in his final season.
If A&M’s defense continues to play at this level, SEC play is about to get very interesting.
4. Junior F Pharrel Payne is coming into his own
Coming into the year, Texas A&M’s front court looked much improved after the addition of former Minnesota forward Pharrel Payne, as the junior big man possessed the size and athleticism to make an impact on offense and defense, but until Saturday afternoon, his play had been sporadic at best.
Paired with veterans Henry Coleman and Andersson Garcia, Payne brought the Pain throughout the day, especially in the paint, delivering 16 points and nine rebounds and finished a perfect 6-6 from the field in the best game of his Aggie career.
Like most teams, nonconference play is a time to determine what the permanent rotation will look like. After logging 24 minutes off the bench, head coach Buzz Williams may have found another dependable scoring option with obvious defensive upside.
3. Star guard Wade Taylor IV has become a true point guard
Wade Taylor IV is already a Texas A&M legend and will more than likely finish as the fourth or third-highest scorer in program history. However, After last year’s one-dimensional offense ran through Taylor, who is only 6’0″, before guard Manny Obaseki’s late emergence, the addition of former SMU guard Zhuric Phelps was a clear sign that he needed to change his play style.
Still, Taylor is a consistent threat to pull up from deep at any given moment. It continues to lead the Aggies in scoring (16.1) and assists (4.5) but has grown as a commander of the offense, getting players in place while strategically taking fouls and only driving the paint when necessary.
Former Villanova head coach Jay Wright, the color commentator during Saturday’s game, praised Taylor’s decision-making and smart play, a testament to his work ethic and passion to help lead the Aggies to a deep run in the NCAA Tournament during his final season.
2. Texas is 3-0 against ranked opponents this season
Texas A&M is one of the oldest teams in college basketball, and it shows. Outside of losing veteran guard Tyrece Radford to graduation, the Aggies returned every starter from the 2023 starting rotation, while the new additions of Zhuric Phelps, CJ Wilcher, and Pharrel Payne made their biggest impact against Purdue.
Veteran teams know how to play with each other, and any drop-off, especially on defense, is rare for groups that have spent two to three years in the same system. In three ranked contests against Ohio State, Creighton, and Purdue, the Aggies never wilted and played aggressively throughout, and most importantly, different players stepped up when needed in clutch situations.
The best example is junior forward Solomon Washington, whose defense and last-minute offense led the Aggies to a comeback win over Creighton. Even though he scored just one point against Purdue, Washington’s defense and clutch free throw at the end of the game is an example of A&M’s cohesive game plan that takes every player’s best efforts to come out with a victory.
1. Texas A&M’s free throw shooting is key to winning in SEC play
You’ll likely hear some in the media describe Texas A&M as a “gritty” team lacking talent, ultimately needing turnovers and free throws to win any game. While only 25% of that is accurate, Texas A&M isn’t a blue-blood basketball program with John Calipari-like recruiting success because Buzz Williams is focused on recruiting and developing players that fit the program’s stern demeanor.
Sitting at 9-2, the Aggies are one of the best teams in the country, bar none, and while the offense has its problems, Williams has coached his veteran team to get fouled and make their shots from the charity stripe, especially if shooting is at a premium.
Yes, teams like Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, and even Auburn have a clear edge in recruiting high-end scorers, while Wade Taylor IV is still the best shooter for the Aggies. But winning basketball is about taking advantage of the opportunities before you, as A&M hit 17-24 free throws against Purdue to seal the win.
This has always been a tried and true strength for every Buzz Williams team, and while this is the best roster he has had during his sixth season with the program, free throws will make or break many games in SEC play in 2025.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: 5 takeaways from Texas A&M’s signature 70-66 win over No. 11 Purdue
