Texas A&M Basketball HC Buzz Williams provides injury updates regarding Henry Coleman III, Tyrece Rayford’s status
Incurring their first loss of the 2023 season, No. 12-ranked Texas A&M Basketball (5-1) will now face Iowa State in the Consolation Round of the ESPN Invitational after falling 96-89 to the 19th-ranked Florida Atlantic Owls in the Semifinal Round on Friday afternoon.
In a game that saw star junior star Aggies point guard Wade Taylor IV score a season-high 35 points, including 5-8 from three-point land, it was the lower body injury to senior forward Henry Coleman II late in the first half after scoring 8 points in 14 minutes of play that turned things on its head.
Despite only trailing 46-44 at the half, FAU’s hot perimeter shooting (16-30, 53.3%) increased the lead to 18 points with 11 minutes left, but thanks to Taylor IV’s and reserve guard Manny Obaseki’s hot shooting, coupled with competent defense down the stretch, the Aggies brought the lead within five at 89-84 with a minute remaining. Still, they couldn’t mount a full comeback due to the lack of offensive firepower.
After the game, head coach Buzz Williams provided an update on Henry Coleman’s now-confirmed ankle injury, while senior guard Tyrece Radford, who scored 2 points in 18 minutes of play, was reportedly also dealing with a health-related issue, as The Eagle writer Travis Brown reported after the post-game presser:
“Well, Henry turned his ankle, so I don’t know. They told me shortly after he went into the locker room that he wouldn’t be able to play. And then Boots (Radford), he couldn’t breathe. So I don’t know what kind of illness it is, but hopefully we can get him something to get him better. But as of right now, I honestly don’t know. And that changes our team. There’s two good players that have player really well through the first five games. And I’m thankful to coach ’em, and they’re important to us. I thought the guys that played a more extended role today were really good and did some good things too.”
While senior forward Julius Marble continues to deal with what has been reported as a “University Process,” losing Coleman and Tyrece Radford leaves a giant hole in the Aggies’ starting unit if their injuries keep them sidelined for an extended period, which doesn’t seem to be the case as of right now.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.
