An in-depth analysis of Texas A&M’s historic collapse to begin the 2025 season

The 2025 season was supposed to be the one where Texas A&M Aggies basketball turned a corner. After a frustrating 2024 season that had left fans and critics alike questioning the direction of the program, the Aggies entered 2025 with a renewed sense of optimism. With a handful of key returners, a promising group of freshmen, and a head coach entering his fifth season, expectations were high. But as the season progressed, things began to unravel in a way that few could have predicted.

The Aggies’ collapse to begin the 2025 season has been nothing short of historic—one of the most disappointing stretches in recent memory. Despite high hopes, Texas A&M’s season has quickly spiraled into what can only be described as a crisis of both leadership and performance. This collapse has become a defining moment for the Aggies, raising serious questions about the future of the program, the head coach, and the identity of the team.

In this analysis, we will explore the key factors that have contributed to Texas A&M’s historic collapse, from coaching struggles to injuries to team chemistry issues, and how each of these aspects has combined to derail what seemed like a promising season.

1. The Coach’s Struggles: Tactical Issues and Accountability

The root cause of Texas A&M’s struggles can be traced directly to the coaching staff. Michael Earley, in his fifth year at the helm, was expected to have learned from previous mistakes and to have developed into a more complete coach. His tactical acumen was supposed to be one of his strongest assets. However, as the 2025 season unfolded, his shortcomings in this area became glaringly obvious.

The first major issue has been his failure to adjust to opponents’ strategies. Throughout the early part of the season, Texas A&M was consistently caught off guard by opponents’ game plans, especially in high-pressure moments. Whether it was a late-game defensive breakdown, a lack of offensive fluidity, or an inability to get players open shots, Earley has seemed incapable of adapting his strategy when it matters most. His insistence on sticking to one offensive and defensive system—despite clear signs that the team was not performing to expectations—has led to stagnant play and a lack of innovation.

Rotations have also been a point of contention. In particular, Earley has struggled to find the right mix of players. Despite having a wealth of talent, he has failed to get consistent production from key contributors. He has rotated players in and out of the lineup in an attempt to find the right combinations, but this lack of stability has only hindered team chemistry and rhythm. Players, especially the more experienced ones, have expressed frustration with the inconsistency in minutes and roles, which has undoubtedly contributed to the team’s lack of cohesion on the court.

Perhaps the most damaging aspect of Earley’s coaching has been his inability to hold players accountable. In several games, Texas A&M’s defense has been porous, and their offense has been inefficient. However, instead of making changes in the lineup or addressing issues head-on in post-game press conferences, Earley has often downplayed the team’s struggles. This lack of accountability has led to an environment where underperforming players are not held to high standards, further exacerbating the team’s issues.

2. Injuries and Lack of Depth: A Shaky Roster

Another critical factor contributing to Texas A&M’s collapse has been injuries and a general lack of depth. While the Aggies entered the season with a roster that appeared to be deep and talented, injuries have decimated key players, making it difficult for the team to maintain any sense of continuity.

The first major blow came in the opening games of the season when Tyrece Radford, the team’s defensive leader and most experienced player, suffered a significant ankle injury. Radford was expected to be the anchor of the defense and a primary scorer for the Aggies. His injury left a void both in the locker room and on the court. Despite his return after a few weeks, it was clear that Radford was not playing at full strength, and his lack of mobility has hindered his ability to guard opposing players effectively.

The injuries didn’t stop there. In mid-January, Henry Coleman III, a key forward for the Aggies, suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for several games. Coleman was expected to be a strong presence in the paint, both offensively and defensively. His absence further stretched the team’s already thin rotation, forcing younger players into prominent roles before they were ready. This lack of depth has been especially glaring in close games, where the Aggies have been forced to play starters for extended minutes, leading to fatigue and poor decision-making late in games.

This injury plague has exposed one of the deeper issues within the program: a lack of quality depth. While the Aggies have some talented players at the top of the roster, the bench has struggled to produce consistently. When the team’s stars are sidelined, the drop-off in talent is significant. For a team that is supposed to compete in the rugged SEC, this lack of depth has proven to be one of the team’s most glaring weaknesses.

3. Offensive Inconsistency: A Failure to Execute

One of the hallmarks of a successful basketball team is the ability to execute offensively, especially in high-pressure situations. Unfortunately, Texas A&M has been anything but consistent on the offensive end. For much of the season, the Aggies have struggled with shooting, spacing, and ball movement, leading to prolonged scoring droughts.

A significant part of this offensive malaise has been lackluster shot selection. Whether it’s settling for contested jumpers or failing to create open looks, the Aggies’ offense has been inefficient at best. Even when the team has been able to get good looks, the shooting percentage has been disappointingly low. This inability to hit open shots has been especially problematic in games against ranked opponents, where every possession is crucial.

Part of the reason for the offensive struggles has been poor ball movement. The Aggies have lacked the fluidity that is characteristic of high-scoring teams, often relying too heavily on individual players to create offense. This has led to an overly predictable offense that is easy for opponents to defend. Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M’s best playmaker, has often found himself isolated or forced into difficult situations because his teammates aren’t in sync with his playmaking.

Moreover, the Aggies have struggled to score in transition. With players like Taylor and Radford, Texas A&M has the ability to push the ball up the floor, but poor decision-making, turnovers, and an overall lack of communication have often led to missed fast-break opportunities. This inability to capitalize on fast breaks has only compounded their offensive issues, especially against teams that thrive in transition.

4. Defensive Breakdown: A Lack of Identity

While Texas A&M’s offensive issues have been well-documented, the team’s defensive struggles have been equally damaging. Once a hallmark of Earley’s coaching philosophy, the Aggies’ defense has been disorganized and inefficient this season. At their best, Texas A&M was known for their physical defense, ball pressure, and help defense. But in 2025, those same principles seem to have fallen apart.

The Aggies’ defensive collapse has been particularly evident in their struggles to defend the three-point line. Teams have regularly shot above 40% from beyond the arc against Texas A&M, exploiting gaps in the defense. Whether it’s poor closeouts, a failure to communicate switches, or simply bad rotations, the Aggies have been unable to contest shots effectively. This has allowed opponents to stretch the floor, forcing Texas A&M to abandon their usual defensive schemes and resulting in mismatches.

Furthermore, the Aggies’ inability to defend without fouling has put them in difficult situations. Too often, Texas A&M has found themselves in foul trouble, putting opposing teams in the bonus early in games. This lack of discipline has been particularly evident against aggressive teams that thrive at drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line.

5. Team Chemistry and Morale: The Internal Struggles

Finally, one of the most significant factors contributing to Texas A&M’s historic collapse has been the team chemistry issues that have plagued the squad. When things aren’t going well on the court, it’s easy for frustration to boil over, and that’s exactly what has happened with the Aggies.

The team has lacked the camaraderie and cohesion necessary for success. There have been reports of frustrated players openly questioning coaching decisions, and on the court, body language has been poor. Players have been caught making unforced errors, and there has been a palpable sense of disconnection at times.

Team morale has taken a hit, especially after a string of losses to unranked teams. It’s clear that the Aggies are struggling to find their identity, both on and off the court. With expectations high, the pressure to perform has weighed heavily on the players, further dividing the locker room.

 What Lies Ahead for Texas A&M?

The 2025 season has been a historic collapse for the Texas A&M Aggies, and at this point, the future of the program appears uncertain. With ongoing struggles from coaching, injuries, offensive inefficiency, and defensive breakdowns, it’s clear that this team is far from the contender that fans had hoped for.

For head coach Michael Earley, this season may be a make-or-break year. If the Aggies cannot recover from their early struggles and show signs of improvement, it may be time for the program to make a change at the top. The team has too much talent to be this ineffective, and fans will not tolerate continued mediocrity.

In the coming weeks, Texas A&M will need to make adjustments—both tactical and personal—to salvage the season. If they can’t find a way to turn things around, the 2025 season will be remembered as one of the most disappointing chapters in Aggies basketball history.