Everything Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams said after Michigan basketball beat the Aggies

There have been very few games lately that the Wolverines have been the favorite, yet Michigan basketball keeps winning. Dusty May has completely revamped the maize and blue on the hardwood, taking over an 8-24 team and not only getting them to the NCAA Tournament, but after Saturday's stunning victory over Texas A&M, the Wolverines will be playing in the Sweet 16 while the Aggies will return to College Station, their season now over.

After the game, Texas A&M head coach Buzz Williams took a bit to get to the podium to discuss the loss to the maize and blue with the media. Here is everything he had to say in his postgame press conference.

What was the locker room like after the game?

Yeah, I'm sorry it took so long. We've done the same thing all 18 years that I've coached, and I'm not saying it's right, nor am I saying it's wrong. It's just how we go about things. Anybody who just played their last game, everybody in the organization puts their right hand on that person, and I pray over that person.

So if I violated the timing of all of it, it's just because we had eight of them in there. That's all. We don't address the game. I pray over them. Everybody in the organization knows that that's what's coming. When I say amen, I head this direction.

What do you wish more people understood about this team?

Oh, respectfully, opinion of others doesn't impact me. But what has impacted me is the relationship with these guys. Obviously it's an emotional time. We wanted not only to win for the right reasons. We also just wanted to continue to stay together, and I know that sounds maybe like fluff. It's actually the truth.

I forgot your question. But I've quit looking at all of that stuff, and I know that it comes with it. So I'm not complaining, and I understand the exposure is part of why all of us are doing so well.

I'm not comparing my job to people who are saving lives and protecting our freedom in any sort of way, nor am I a simpleton in understanding how complex this industry has become, like all industries, including yours.

But to have the lifelong relationships that have been created here over a long period of time is very rare, and so I'm honored and humbled and thankful.

What did Michigan change in the last quarter of the game to stop Pharel Payne from scoring?

I don't know what Coach said on your question on that. I thought Gochi did a good job. I don't think we finished at the rim at the rate we need to, and I think we fouled way too much.

We played with a low turnover rate, but for us, we are dependent on shooting more balls from the field and from the free-throw line. And so to get in the bonus, to allow them in the bonus so quickly both halves goes against us.

And then we are reliant completely on extra shots from offensive rebounds, and we are reliant and dependent on only allowing the opponent one shot. We did not do as well as our averages up until today from a defensive rebound perspective or an offensive rebound perspective.

Why is it important for you after the season to pray for his team?

Yes, sir, a part of that started when I was 33 years old. I didn't know what to say. Not because I'm overly spiritual, nor am I a good person. Sometimes even with my family when I don't know what to say, I just pray.

Being on a team is special. I wasn't ever a good player, but since I've been 12, I've always been on a team. It's taken me away, like all coaches, from some level of normalcy with my family, but my family has been so supportive of my career.

And this team, Team 113 for Texas A&M, it ended 45 minutes ago, and I don't think that there's -- I'm not smart enough to say anything that would solve that.

So that's what I've done every year. Every prayer is different because of my relationship with that young man and with their family. And so I just try to be precise, despite being overly emotional, in letting them know how much I love them, letting them know how much I care for them, and letting them know no matter where they go or where I go or who's the coach or where they play or if they don't play, none of that impacts the relationship and that I'll always be there to support them.

What do you feel like is the outlook of this program with so many guys leaving?

Yeah, I mean, that's just what this has become. Pick a team. I think they had four graduate transfers. Any team.

I think what we've tried to do is just -- because everything is happening at such a fast rate, is how can I be present in that moment and how can I help everyone within the organization to be present in that moment.

That's so hard to do. Sometimes it's emotionally hard to do, like now. Mentally, hey, I just missed that shot, or physically, I just messed up that ball screen coverage. We call it the red folder. How can we be present in real time in the red folder.

I'm incredibly proud of everyone, not just the players, the staff. I'm proud of our accomplishments throughout their tenure, including this year. I know you're familiar with all of the numbers. That would be egotistical for me to talk about it. But just as proud as I am of the accomplishments, I'm proud of the life change.

Every coach knows the portal starts officially Monday, and so I'm assuming we'll travel tomorrow. I would think that our staff is way ahead in regards to where I need to go and who I need to call and what I need to do.

That's just prevalent, regardless of program. Like any coach, you want to put together the best roster with the right people that you can per year and build for the future sort of thing. I don't know how much that applies, but I think our staff has been good, and each year I think we've been a little better in how we've assimilated our roster.

What do you think caused the struggle in that part of the game when Michigan made that run to take the lead late?

My brain is completely fried, but I do think at the 8-ish-minute time-out, I don't know if he called it, I called it, or it was the media, I think we had 70 points. And you've watched, I think, nearly all of our games. We were doing really well. We averaged 71 points in SEC play, and we had eight and a half minutes to go with 70.

We didn't finish at the rim. We got them into the bonus too much. We didn't shoot enough balls. And I didn't think that we protected the rim as well as we have. I thought we did a good job relative to the threes and the prowess that they have, but in that run, we were not getting stops. I think we had three turkeys in the first half and got a turkey to start the first four minutes of the second half. I haven't talked to Bubba since the game has been over. I don't know that we got another one.

It was too often we weren't scoring, but arguably the more important thing, we weren't getting stops.

On his connection with his players

Yeah, I have, like, four friends. My wife would be No. 1 on the list. I try not to count my children as friends. But I only have three other friends other than my wife. I know this comes across the wrong way. I hired two of them because I'm so friendless.

But I do think the transformational relationships, the true love in our program means no agenda. We haven't had an agenda. We want to help them be better players, but we want our program to be total development.

I think the development that these long-tenured guys have had has been life changing. And I do think they're better players, and our teams have continued to improve. But someday they're going to be old and can't play, and someday I'm going to be old and can't coach.

But I think that the relationships were built on faith, hope and love is really cool.

Not to sound condescending maybe, but at some point I think you have to be accountable to those relationships, regardless of anything else, results, opinions. Yeah, I'm just very thankful and honored that, like I told H, we'll be friends forever, and now you can come to my house and we can watch a game and eat queso together. Nobody will say anything. Nobody will tweet about it. I'm honored.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams post-Michigan loss transcript

Topics

What Michigan basketball coach Dusty May said after beating Texas A&M in NCAA Tournament

Everything the Michigan basketball head coach said after the Wolverines beat the Aggies to advance to the Sweet 16.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Everything HC Buzz Williams and three Aggies said after second round loss to Michigan

Here is everything HC Buzz Williams and three Aggie senior said after Saturday's second round NCAA Tournament loss to Michigan.
Yahoo Sports - 18h
NCAA Tournament bracket: Michigan moves to Sweet 16 after beating Texas A&M

Texas A&M men's basketball lost to Michigan in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in a nationally televised game on Saturday in Ball Arena.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Everything HC Buzz Williams said before Texas A&M vs. Michigan in the second round

Before facing Michigan in the round of 32 on Saturday, HC Buzz Williams and three players spoke on the challenges the Wolverines present.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams addresses online hate after guard Jace Williams reveals death threats

Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams said Friday that he has addressed online hate and harassment with his team after reserve guard Jace Carter revealed he'd been subjected to death threats and racial ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Michigan basketball vs Texas A&M prediction: Who has edge in NCAA tournament second round

It’s Michigan Wolverines vs Texas A&M Aggies in March Madness bracket. Here’s our prediction, pick for the 2025 NCAA tournament basketball game.
Yahoo Sports - 3d
Aggie fans react to Texas A&M's 91-79 March Madness loss Michigan in round two

Texas A&M exits the NCAA Tournament in round two after falling to Michigan 91-79, closing the chapter on a historic season.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Aggies Wire staff predictions for Texas A&M vs. Michigan in NCAA Tournament second round

Here are the official Aggies Wire staff predictions for Texas A&M's second-round matchup vs. Michigan on Saturday afternoon.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Texas A&M men's basketball team beats Yale in March Madness, advances to NCAA second round

Pharrel Payne scored 25 points as Texas A&M beat Yale in first round of March Madness. The Aggies face the winner of Michigan vs. UC San Diego next.
Yahoo Sports - 3d

More from Yahoo Sports

5 things to know about new Eagles offensive guard Kenyon Green

After getting traded from Houston to Philadelphia, we're looking at 5 things to know about new Eagles offfensive guard Kenyon Green
Yahoo Sports - 8m
Italy to follow England and Germany by trialing in-stadium announcements for VAR calls

The Italian league will offer more transparency over video review decisions, including limited in-stadium announcements of the referee’s conversations with the VAR. Inter Milan faces city rival AC ...
Yahoo Sports - 10m
Wisconsin basketball early 2025-26 roster, starting lineup prediction

Wisconsin's offseason is underway. Here is a first look at how the team may line up next fall.
Yahoo Sports - 12m
Lions most-chosen player in fan mock drafts is a very popular one

Detroit Lions most-chosen player in the PFF simulator's fan mock drafts is a very popular one with fans of other teams, too
Yahoo Sports - 14m
Jaguars NFL mock draft roundup: Investing in the offensive and defensive lines

With the dust having settled on free agency, who do the draft analysts have the Jacksonville Jaguars taking in the latest 2025 NFL mock drafts?
Yahoo Sports - 15m

More in Sports

Aaliyah Chavez's unlikely route to top girls basketball prospect

As a college decision looms, the sought-after point guard reflects on a late start but quick rise in the game.
ESPN - 4m
Newcastle Women draw record 38,502 crowd

Newcastle United's women's side smashed the Women's Championship attendance record on Sunday, drawing 38,502 fans for their clash against Sunderland.
ESPN - 4m
5 things to know about new Eagles offensive guard Kenyon Green

After getting traded from Houston to Philadelphia, we're looking at 5 things to know about new Eagles offfensive guard Kenyon Green
Yahoo Sports - 8m
Italy to follow England and Germany by trialing in-stadium announcements for VAR calls

The Italian league will offer more transparency over video review decisions, including limited in-stadium announcements of the referee’s conversations with the VAR. Inter Milan faces city rival AC ...
Yahoo Sports - 10m
Wisconsin basketball early 2025-26 roster, starting lineup prediction

Wisconsin's offseason is underway. Here is a first look at how the team may line up next fall.
Yahoo Sports - 12m