Zhuric Phelps has taken on scoring burden for Texas A&M with Wade Taylor IV out

Jan 4, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies guard Zhuric Phelps (1) reacts during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at Reed Arena. The Aggies defeated the Longhorns 80-60. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

All-SEC guard Wade Taylor IV will miss his third consecutive conference game and fourth total game in the last six outings in Tuesday’s matchup with Kentucky at Rupp Arena. That leaves a big hole in Texas A&M’s offense. One that is not easy to replace.

Taylor is just a couple of hundred points away from becoming A&M all-time leading scorer. The senior is averaging 15.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 30.3 minutes per game on .387/.337/.900 shooting splits. The lead guard is a volume shooter and the Aggies must replace that volume.

SMU transfer Zhuric Phelps has stepped up in a big way to fill the scoring hole for head coach Buzz Williams. The 6-foot-4 guard was an All-AAC selection as a junior last season when he posted 14.8 points per game on .386/.216/.741 shooting splits. Through 15 games at Texas A&M, Phelps is averaging 15.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 27.8 minutes per game on .385/.311/.676 shooting splits. The efficiency has not been great but Phelps has stepped up big time without Taylor in the lineup.

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Opponent	Points	FG	3pt FG	Free Throw
Houston Christian (Dec. 20)	10	5-13	0-2	0-0
Oklahoma (Jan. 8)	34	11-25	6-10	6-6
Alabama (Jan. 11)	24	9-29	1-6	5-10

Zhuric Phelps has taken on a heavy shooting burden without Taylor in the lineup and is hunting shots for the Aggies. The senior was the hero in Texas A&M comeback road victory against Oklahoma but really had to work to get to 24 points against Alabama finishing that game shooting 8-of-23 from two-point range.

Kentucky should expect Zhuric Phelps to get a lot of shot attempts up on Saturday night as this offense plays another game without star guard Wade Taylor IV. The Aggies feast off of offensive rebounds and free throws but someone has to get the first shot of the possession up. Many times that will be Phelps.