From a Basketball Standpoint, Buzz Williams to Texas A&M Does Not Make Sense
In the midst of the Final Four about to be played this weekend, one headline going around this week was coach Buzz Williams leaving Virginia Tech for Texas A&M.
Williams did a remarkable job with the program taking the Hokies from 11-22 in his first season, to taking them 26-9 in his fifth season, and taking Virginia Tech to there only second ever trip to the Sweet Sixteen. After leaving Marquette and taking the job at Virginia Tech when the program was at an all time low and then building it all the way back up. Why would he leave? When he could just be scratching the surface of Virginia Tech’s potential.
You could say because Texas A&M is his alma matter, or it is because of the million dollar raise he’s getting, or even maybe it’s because Buzz likes the challenge of rebuilding. From a basketball standpoint though, it just does not make sense.
While those all may be the case. The Hokies would still have Kerry Blackshear Jr., Lander Nolley, four star prospect Anthony Harris coming into Blacksburg (if Buzz would have stayed) and could have maybe convinced Nickeil Alexander-Walker to stay one more year. The Hokies would also have a very good chance of landing some players from the transfer market just to help build their roster. With a core of those players leading the charge this should be a team that would make the NCAA Tournament and even could compete in a loaded ACC conference. While Texas A&M this year would be lucky if they made the NCAA Tournament and would be lucky to compete in the SEC. Which is not even close to being on the same talent level as the ACC.
Even though it’s a done deal, Buzz Williams is going to Texas A&M, and it is just what if’s at this point how Williams could do with next year’s Virginia Tech team. As I do think that Buzz will eventually build up Texas A&M to a strong program, I think that Virginia Tech will be better in the next 2-3 years.