Texas A&M basketball picks up dominant early nonconference win over Ohio State, 78-64

Texas A&M basketball rides charity stripe to dominant quad one win over Ohio State Buckeyes

Texas A&M basketball yet again has an early signature win in out of conference.

With tonight's result, a 12-point win over a top-25 Ohio State Buckeyes squad, the Aggies have swept their home-and-home with OSU, and picked up an early, impressive win each year.

Though things looked as though they may be grim this year after the Aggies choked away a double-digit lead against UCF in the waning moments of game one, this looked like an A&M team that was back on track.

This one went the Aggies' way early, as A&M jumped out to a quick ten-point lead and never let it get close after that point. Even in a game without much rhythm—thanks, of course, to the active whistle from the referees tonight in Reed—A&M was still able to put up a solid performance offensively.

The whistle actually was something of a contributor to that, as the Aggies knocked down 32 of their 40 free throw attempts tonight—yes, 40 attempts. On a night where not many Aggies were prolific from the field—outside of Henry Coleman, who shot 66% (but only took 6 shots)—they made their hay with freebies.

That's not always been the strength of Buzz Williams teams. Last year was especially ignominious in that regard.

Zhuric Phelps, the SMU transfer, shot only 3-12 from the field, but was instrumental again in this game. He's proving to be a big time portal pickup for Buzz already.

Pharrel Payne is the rim protector the Aggies have needed. His defense was key in this one, helping hold the Buckeeys to a mere 33.9% from the field.

The Aggies will need to channel this effort defensively, and even more of a polished offensive effort, when they take on Purdue here soon. The Boilermakers just took down Alabama, who is an early favorite in the conference, so the Aggies will have their work cut out for them.