Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl has consistently tabbed Buzz Williams-led teams among the most physical in what is already a grueling league.
It’s part of the reason the Aggies hold an SEC-best 6-2 record against Auburn since Williams took the helm in Aggieland.
“We just got physically punched in the mouth. You know, we just got physically run out of here. It's how Texas A&M plays,” Pearl said postgame.
Waltzing into Reed Arena on a four-game losing streak in which the Aggies were only able to score more than 70 points just once in that span, Texas A&M posted an 83-point performance on Senior Night.
It wasn’t because the Aggies shot more efficiently – Auburn shot 50% from the field, topping Texas A&M’s 43%. No, it was because of their 41 total rebounds, including 24 on the offensive glass, their 36 points in the paint and the 13 turnovers they forced, which led to 18 points on the other end.
“They just physically dominated the game. If you look at Florida – or the best teams on our schedule – what does Florida do? They physically dominated us. Texas A&M physically dominated us. We didn't have a physical advantage against Duke,” Pearl said.
And they all resulted in losses.
Texas A&M lived up to its reputation as the best offensive rebounding team in the nation (15.9 per game), as its 24 offensive rebounds led to 29 second-chance points. With the Tigers trailing by just four at the break, hopes were alive for a second-half surge but the Aggies blasted Auburn out of the gates and hauled in 14 offensive rebounds in the second stanza as the Tigers had no answer on that end of the floor.
“We have no excuses to allow these guys to get 24 offensive rebounds,” Pearl said. “I give Texas A&M all the credit — all the credit. But our guys were physically dominated. No, I don't excuse our guys at all. We're better than that, but not tonight.”
Additionally, the ninth-most efficient defense in the country, according to KenPom, gave the Tigers’ offense fits. Pearl noted that Williams does some strategic things that have given him trouble over the years, saying, “It's been a tough matchup for us. It's been a tough matchup for me. Buzz does a great job. You know, systems do match up with each other.”
The Tigers entered the game averaging just nine turnovers per game, which was good for fourth in the nation. But Texas A&M picked up Auburn’s ballhandlers with half-court pressure for most of the night, dropping back into different man and zone looks, playing a factor in the Tigers’ 13 turnovers.
Of course, the rebounding margin gave the Aggies the advantage, but Auburn was only able to muster 50 attempts from the field, a feat that Texas A&M prides itself on, as it limits its league opponents to just 53.9 FGA/G, which is the lowest average in the conference.
The Tigers were unable to accomplish a perfect SEC road record with the loss, which would have made them just the second team in the last 10 seasons to accomplish that milestone.
Now, it’s all about how Auburn responds after the exposure witnessed on Tuesday night.
The scouting report is out,” Pearl said. “It's out alright. The best way to beat Auburn is to hit them in the mouth. Then, we're either going to be able to handle the physicality of the play, or not.”
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Logan Fowler is a Senior from Sumiton, Alabama and is majoring in journalism. He joined the Plainsman in Spring 2024.
You can follow him on X (Twitter) at @loganffowler
