Texas A&M’s star guard, Wade Taylor IV, is set to miss his third consecutive game due to injury when the Aggies face the Kentucky Wildcats on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
Taylor, a senior and pivotal player for the Aggies, leads the team with averages of 15.7 points and 4.8 assists per game this season.
His absence has been felt in the past two games, during which Texas A&M secured a win against Texas but suffered a loss to Alabama.
The injury occurred on January 4, 2025, during a game against the Texas Longhorns.
Since then, Taylor has been sidelined, and head coach Buzz Williams has not provided specific details regarding the nature of the injury or a timeline for his return.
Taylor’s impact on the court is significant, particularly against Kentucky.
In the previous season, he delivered outstanding performances against the Wildcats, scoring 31 points with six rebounds and five assists in one game, and 32 points in another, leading the Aggies to victories in both matchups.
His absence in the upcoming game presents a considerable challenge for Texas A&M as they prepare to play at Rupp Arena, where they have not secured a win since 2013.
The Aggies, currently ranked 11th nationally with a 13-3 overall record and a 2-1 mark in conference play, will need to adjust their strategy in Taylor’s absence.
Without their leading scorer and playmaker, the team may rely more heavily on guard Zhuric Phelps, who, along with Taylor, is one of the two Aggies averaging double figures in scoring.
The Wildcats, ranked 8th nationally, are coming off a significant road win against Mississippi State.
Their defense will likely focus on containing Phelps and exploiting the void left by Taylor’s absence.
Kentucky’s own injury concerns include Andrew Carr, who is listed as probable despite dealing with a back injury.
The game is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN2 at 7:00 PM ET on January 14, 2025.
As the Aggies aim to break their winless streak in Lexington, the absence of Wade Taylor IV adds an additional layer of difficulty to this challenging matchup.
