In his open and honest press conference on Monday morning, Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl discussed Tuesday night’s game versus Texas A&M, the Tigers’ first SEC encounter inside Neville Arena.
“I guess Texas A&M has been a tough opponent for Auburn basketball over the last few years,” Pearl remarked, noting that the Aggies have prevailed in five of the previous six matchups. “It is evident that they have our number.”
But, Auburn pulled away late to complete a 66-55 victory over Texas A&M in front of what Pearl claimed to be a record-breaking student audience on Tuesday night.
With a victory at Neville Arena on Tuesday night, Auburn’s winning streak of ten games was extended to eight games. Jaylin Williams, a veteran of the programme, led the way with 22 points and eight rebounds.
These are some lessons learned from Auburn’s second SEC match of the year.
Wade Taylor IV, a junior guard for Texas A&M, was selected the SEC’s preseason Player of the Year during SEC Media Days in mid-October. In the 2022–23 season, Taylor IV averaged over 16 points and 30 minutes per game.
Taylor entered Neville Arena on Tuesday night averaging 18 points and 31 minutes per game, clearly continuing where he left off from the previous campaign.
Taylor is preseason Player of the Year,” Pearl said Monday. “He had 34 against the best defensive team in the country in Houston. So he’s capable every possession, any possession.”
Against the Tigers, however, Wade didn’t look like the SEC’s preseason Player of the Year, the player who scored 34 points against Houston or a player who is capable “every possession, any possession.”