The Aggies somehow made it a competitive game against Alabama without their top man, Wade Taylor IV.
The free throw shooting was a horrendous against the Crimson Tide, with the Aggies shooting 28-48 from the line.
The Aggies cannot repeat that performance if they make it a close game without Taylor IV. This might just be the game where Aggies fans say that his loss simply can't be sustained much longer.
Taylor IV is starting to be missed from lack of free throws and threes
The lack of free throw misses was an unprecedented scene, as the Aggies had multiple chances to beat Alabama.
Texas A&M's Wade Taylor IV (undisclosed) is OUT for Tuesday's game against Kentucky, per the SEC Injury Report.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) January 14, 2025
Averages 15.7 PPG and 4.8 APG.
Has not played since 1/4.
Wildcats' F Andrew Carr (back) is probable.
The Aggies simply could not have another similar performance from the line— yet it happened, with A&M going only 64% from the charity stripe. They kept it close with Alabama, but this was first game that Aggie fans will start to feel the absence of Taylor IV.
The recipe against Alabama was as similar as any other. They didn't get a lot of pretty looks, but they were resilient getting inside the paint, including Zhuric Phelps who's arguably playing some of the best basketball of his life lately. The same could be said about Pharrel Payne, who's been working as hard as anybody in the paint.
The free throw shooting and 3-point shooting has looked different since Taylor IV has been gone. Buzz Williams briefly touched on how much he's learned since Taylor IV has been out.
"I think we have done some good things, and did you think you would score more points without 4 on the road and at home? No. "Buzz Williams
This was another ugly matchup for the Aggies, and they were unable to win another tough one. It's becoming clear that the Aggies' future this basketball season is incumbent upon Taylor's health.