CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Texas A&M made their name as a physically imposing team during their 2017-18 season and that continued in their first-round game of the NCAA Tournament.
In the first game of the day at the Spectrum Center the No. 7 Aggies used their bullying-brand of basketball to take down tenth-seeded Providence 73-69.
"It's something we take pride in every game," said Robert Williams, sophomore forward for Texas A&M. "Our coaches stress to us before the game, the other team emphasizes hitting us, boxing us out. We wanted to guard them and show them and be more aggressive doing what they do."
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Williams (13 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks), along with junior center Tyler Davis, was instrumental in leading the Aggies to their win, combining to outrebound the Friars entire team 29-26.
"We're out there doing our jobs," said Davis, who scored 14 points. "We know we have the advantage inside most games, so this is just another game where we came out and gave 100 percent effort on the glass."
The center was also quick to praise the play of his teammates, specifically the guards like junior Admon Gilder who led Texas A&M in scoring with 18 and was key in bringing the team back from a slow offensive start that saw them go scoreless the first 6:33 of the first half.
Aggies coach Bill Kennedy mentioned a new defensive look could have been to blame for the slow start.
"We started out the game in zone, something we haven't done all year, just to try to throw something at them a little bit different," Kennedy said. "They were prepared for it. But I thought we got the ball inside, we just missed some shots. I thought Tyler had some opportunities around the basket with his jump hook. If we can get him one-on-one on the block, most times we're going to live with that.
"That's what I told the guys at half, guys, we missed shots, we got the ball where we wanted to. As long as we keep taking care of the ball and keep going inside out, we'll be right to break the game open, and fortunately we were able to do that."
As a team the Aggies shot just 33 percent in the first half, but still managed to go into the half up 28-27 on the Friars. Things changed in the second half when the rebounding disparity got larger and the scoring became more efficient. Texas A&M turned it around to shoot 68 percent from the field and added eight second-half blocks to put away a Providence team that simply didn't have enough muscle to compete inside.
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It wasn't until a 12-2 run with about nine minutes remaining in the second half that the Aggies truly put the game out of reach. A crucial intentional foul on Davis during that run helped put Texas A&M over the top.
"We had to start switching ball screens late and, I thought that helped us. Robert switched out. We blocked some shots on the mismatches when they went one-on-one and that broke us open, broke the game open with some freelance plays."
The biggest highlight of the game came with just under a minute to go with Texas A&M up by seven. Williams blocked a three on the defensive end then put a real dagger into Providence with a windmill dunk in transition.
WINDMILL.
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 16, 2018
Robert Williams is a RIDICULOUS athlete 😱 pic.twitter.com/tq1nEDoO8q
Williams admitted he had a more impressive plan in his head as he made the play unfolded though.
"(I) Actually wanted to go through my legs, but I thought the Coach would take me out," Williams joked.
After a few laughs from his teammates and head coach at the podium, Williams said it was all about putting a stamp on a memorable March Madness moment.
"It was a highlight moment. Like you said. To create some memories."