Before March Madness, an expert identifies a serious red flag for the Texas A&M Aggies.

With Selection Sunday fast approaching, the Texas A&M Aggies find themselves on the bubble, hoping to make a statement during the final stretch of SEC play and the conference tournament. Although head coach Buzz Williams’ squad boasts an experienced core, including standout guard Wade Taylor IV and frontcourt anchor Henry Coleman III, one national college basketball analyst has flagged a critical issue that could undermine the Aggies’ postseason hopes.

During a recent segment on ESPN’s “Bracketology Breakdown,” former coach and current analyst Seth Greenberg pointed to Texas A&M’s lack of offensive efficiency—particularly in the half-court—as a major concern heading into March Madness.

“Texas A&M has the defense, they have toughness, and they’ve got veteran leadership,” Greenberg explained. “But the reality is, in March, you’ve got to score when the game slows down, and right now, their half-court offense is a serious red flag.”

The Underlying Numbers

The Aggies’ struggles on offense aren’t a new revelation to those who have followed the team closely this season. Statistically, Texas A&M ranks near the bottom of the SEC in several key offensive metrics. They currently sit outside the top 200 nationally in effective field goal percentage (47.8%) and have been wildly inconsistent from beyond the arc, shooting just 31% from three-point range.

Perhaps most concerning is their performance in half-court sets. According to Synergy Sports data, Texas A&M averages just 0.89 points per possession in the half-court, which is well below the national average for NCAA Tournament-caliber teams.

“Against quality defenses, you’re not going to get many fast-break chances,” Greenberg said. “You need guys who can create shots late in the clock, and you need to hit threes when the defense collapses. Right now, A&M isn’t doing either consistently.”

The Wade Taylor Conundrum

Wade Taylor IV is the heartbeat of the Aggies, leading the team in scoring (averaging over 17 points per game) and serving as their primary playmaker. However, the offensive burden placed on Taylor has at times become a double-edged sword.

Taylor has been exceptional in transition and in creating opportunities off the dribble, but opponents have begun blitzing him on pick-and-rolls and forcing the ball out of his hands. Without reliable secondary creators, Texas A&M’s offense often stagnates when Taylor is neutralized.

“He’s one of the best guards in the SEC,” Greenberg acknowledged. “But when teams take him away, who else is stepping up? That’s the big question.”

Henry Coleman III and transfer forward Pharrel Payne have provided steady interior scoring and rebounding, but neither player offers much in terms of floor spacing. Meanwhile, Aggies’ wings like Tyrece Radford and Hayden Hefner have been streaky at best from the perimeter.

A Predictable Attack

One of the biggest criticisms levied at Texas A&M’s offense is its predictability. The Aggies rely heavily on attacking the rim, drawing fouls, and generating second-chance points. While this formula has worked against less physical teams, SEC opponents—and potential NCAA Tournament foes—have keyed in on it.

In recent losses to Vanderbilt and Tennessee, the Aggies struggled when defenses packed the paint and dared their shooters to make shots. The result: rushed jumpers, contested layups, and offensive droughts that shifted momentum to the opponent.

“They’re playing smash-mouth basketball,” Greenberg said. “That’s fine for stretches, but in March, you’ve got to be able to adjust. When teams wall off the paint, you have to be able to knock down perimeter shots or make reads in the short roll.”

Williams’ System Under the Microscope

Buzz Williams has built a reputation as a defensive-minded coach who emphasizes toughness, rebounding, and physical play. His teams have historically thrived by grinding out low-scoring games and winning the battle of effort. However, some experts believe the Aggies’ current offensive scheme may be limiting their ceiling.

“They’re a well-coached team,” Greenberg noted. “But sometimes, you wonder if the offensive philosophy needs to evolve a bit more. There are moments where they rely too much on isolation and physicality instead of ball movement and creativity.”

The Aggies are averaging just 12.8 assists per game, ranking near the bottom of the SEC in assist-to-turnover ratio. Without consistent ball movement and spacing, opposing defenses have found it easier to load up on Taylor and Coleman while forcing lower-percentage shots from role players.

The Three-Point Dilemma

One glaring aspect of the red flag identified by Greenberg is Texas A&M’s unreliable perimeter shooting. In SEC play, the Aggies have made only 30.2% of their threes, making them one of the least efficient teams in the league from distance.

Players like Hefner, Radford, and Manny Obaseki have had moments of brilliance, but no one on the roster has emerged as a consistent deep threat. This has allowed opposing teams to clog driving lanes and prevent easy finishes at the rim.

“You need shooters in March,” Greenberg emphasized. “The teams that make deep runs all have guys who can stretch the floor and make defenses pay. A&M doesn’t have enough of that right now.”

The Pressure of March

For Texas A&M, the margin for error continues to shrink. After a strong start to the season, the Aggies’ recent SEC skid has pushed them closer to the NCAA Tournament bubble. With every loss, the pressure mounts—and with it, the need to address their offensive shortcomings becomes even more urgent.

“The defense is tournament-ready,” Greenberg said. “The effort is there. But if you can’t score efficiently against the elite defenses you’ll face in March, it’s going to be a short trip.”

Taylor, for his part, remains confident in the team’s ability to adapt.

“We know we’ve got to be better on offense,” Taylor said following a recent practice. “But we believe in each other. We’ve been in these situations before, and we’ll figure it out.”

Adjustments on the Horizon?

Buzz Williams has hinted at potential tweaks to the Aggies’ approach. In a recent press conference, Williams acknowledged the need for more creativity in the half-court and more contributions from role players.

“We’ve got to move the ball better, get guys in rhythm early,” Williams said. “It can’t just be on Wade or Henry. We need everyone stepping up.”

Some changes that could be implemented include:

• More off-ball action to free up shooters and reduce the predictability of high pick-and-roll sets.
• Increased minutes for floor spacers like Hefner or Obaseki, even if it means sacrificing size on defense.
• Incorporating small-ball lineups with Payne or Coleman as the lone big to open up driving lanes.

Additionally, there has been an emphasis in practice on quicker ball movement and shot selection to avoid late-clock isolation plays that have plagued the Aggies in close games.

The Bright Side

Despite the red flag highlighted by Greenberg, Texas A&M still possesses several attributes that could make them a tough out in March. The Aggies rank among the top teams nationally in offensive rebounding percentage and free throw attempts per game, indicating that their physical style of play still has its advantages.

“They’re going to make teams work,” Greenberg admitted. “If they can fix the shooting and get even league-average half-court production, they could be dangerous.”

With experienced leaders like Taylor and Coleman and the emergence of Payne as a defensive anchor, the Aggies have the pieces to make a run. The question now is whether they can iron out the offensive wrinkles before Selection Sunday.