By Kenneth Cross
NASHVILLE – Texas A&M wanted a quick start on Vanderbilt and they progressed with a 19-5 lead some 8:35 into Saturday’s 87-75 win in the SEC Tournament semifinals at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
Wade Taylor scored 25 points to pace the Aggies, who shot 60 percent from the field and made 10 of 19 three-pointers in rolling past Vanderbilt behind Taylor’s leadership and guard play
“I thought our staff did a really good job on a short turnaround,” said Aggies head coach Buzz Williams. “We haven’t played these guys. in seven weeks and I would say they run the most complex offense in the league. I think their team has completely evolved into something it wasn’t with the injury of their post player.”
Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse lost big man Liam Robbins with a leg injury last week. Robbins was a 7-0 center who lead the Commodores in both scoring and rebounding. Now, Vanderbilt is using it’s guard depth more which feels like it will make them a tough out as well in the NCAA Tournament.
Texas A&M shot 60 percent from the field while Vandy was at 54 percent. Julius Marble played a key role early from the post as he score 10 points in leading the Aggies to a 36-14 advantage with 5:14 left before halftime.
“I think I opened it up for everybody,” said Marble as he was smiling. “I got the first couple of baskets and they started hitting threes.”
Taylor benefitted from Marble’s post play with those 25 points and made four triples in the process. Taylor had nine points at halftime on three triples and then he gave the Aggies their biggest lead at 52-25 only a minute and a half into the second half.
Taylor was able to take the game over from the point and push Vanderbilt, who started really slow after last night’s win against Kentucky.
“I would just say I was trying to control the game a little bit,” noted Taylor. “That was scoring, trying to get stops and assists.”
Texas A&M scored 21 points off of 12 Vanderbilt turnovers. The Aggies also had an 18-5 advantage off the bench.
Texas A&M made it into the SEC Tournament finals last year, but dropped a 75-60 decision to Tennessee. The Aggies will get another shot on Sunday as they match up with Alabama.