2019-20 Texas A&M Men's Basketball Preview

Over the basketball offseason, the playing surface at Reed Arena underwent a facelift.

Unless it is compared to a picture of the previous paint job, the new maroon sidelines and center court logo could be easily missed at first glance.

The same could not be said of the personnel that make up the 2019-20 edition of the Texas A&M men’s basketball team.

April began the Buzz Williams era of Aggie basketball and with it brought swift changes to the coaching staff and roster.

“I think the only way you can change things that will have sustainability is whatever it is, and just literally turn it upside down,” Williams said. “And I think that's probably what most kids our kids will struggle with the most is the change of what our culture is going to be about.”

Establishing that culture required a full overhaul of the coaching staff, bringing on associate head coach Jamie McNeilly and assistant Devin Johnson from Virginia Tech and adding assistant Lyle Wolf.

The swift change wasn’t for everyone on an Aggie team that posted a 14-18 record, including a 6-12 conference record, last season. Three key members of last seasons team found new homes via transfer, including guard Admon Gilder, guard Brandon Mahan and forward John Walker III.

However, the Aggies return four starters in guards Jay Jay Chandler, forwards Savioin Flagg, guard Wendell Mitchell and guard TJ Starks, as well as key contributor Josh Nebo, a forward.

The new coaching staff has made a concentrated effort into building relationships with this core group of returners, Mitchell said, especially on the program’s preseason trip to Costa Rica.

“They come to us and they really take their time with the five returning guys,” he said. “It makes you let it be known that you know, you know we're in your corner just as much as anybody else would be. So it's a really good family to be around.”

What could become the Aggies’ most important addition was a familiar face to the program. Flagg, a junior forward, initially decided to test the waters in the 2019 NBA Draft. However, he was ultimately lured back for another year with the Aggies. In 2018-19, Flagg lead the team with scoring and rebounding with 12.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.

“Savion is an Aggie for life,” Mitchell said. “He’s our brother. He had a great year last year and he’s going to have an even bigger year this year, just because he's learned so much and he's just been able to grow as a person as well.”

With spaces to fill, Williams was forced to hit the recruiting trail quickly, bringing in seven new faces to the program. Among those are three who could see quick playing time in JUCO transfer wing Quenton Jackson, power forward Emanuel Miller and center Jonathan Aku.

A quick transition might have been painful, but it’s those growing pains that make Mitchell believe the Aggies can make significant strides towards returning to postseason play in Williams’ first season in Aggieland.

“Everything is new, and you’ve got to jump in with two feet,” Mitchell said. “There's no having one foot in. So, I feel like everybody has jumped in with two feet in and they're just all in. We all believe in believe in what Buzz can do and his coaching staff. So, with that being said, I feel like we're going have a great year, just with the fact that we're committed to it.”

Preseason MVP: Savion Flagg:
Flagg was the heart and soul of last year’s A&M squad, not only leading the team in scoring and rebounding, but consistently standing in front of the media as the ship continued to sink. His return is key in making the transition to Williams’ regime