Texas A&M is on the road this week, squaring off with Alabama in a pivotal SEC matchup. The Aggies, sitting at 17-4 overall and 7-1 in conference play, are looking to keep their momentum rolling and solidify their spot atop the SEC standings before they return home to face Florida on Saturday.
It’s been a strong debut season for first-year head coach Bucky McMillan, who’s guided the Aggies to their second-best start in SEC play since joining the conference back in 2012. And while McMillan’s system and energy have clearly made an impact, there’s no question that Spanish guard Rubén Dominguez has been one of the key engines powering this team’s success.
Dominguez has been lights out this season, averaging 12.9 points per game while shooting a blistering 44.9% from the field, 43.4% from three, and nearly automatic from the free-throw line at 89.6%. Those are elite numbers-especially from deep-and they’ve helped stretch defenses and open up McMillan’s offense in a big way.
Dominguez isn’t just a spot-up shooter, either. He’s added 2.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game, showing he can contribute in multiple facets of the game.
With two years of eligibility remaining, Dominguez is expected to remain a cornerstone of McMillan’s program moving forward. And in today’s college basketball landscape, where the transfer portal and international recruiting are reshaping rosters across the country, Dominguez is a prime example of how tapping into global talent can pay off-especially in a competitive league like the SEC.
McMillan and his staff had no major hurdles bringing Dominguez over from Spain, aside from the expected travel logistics. That’s no small feat considering the Aggies added 14 new players to the roster this season. Integrating that many new faces is tough under any circumstances, but the transition for Dominguez appears to have gone smoothly-on and off the court.
Meanwhile, Alabama is dealing with a different kind of story involving its own international player. Center Charles Bediako, a former NBA G League prospect, recently rejoined the Crimson Tide but finds himself in the middle of a legal situation that could impact his eligibility moving forward. Bediako is currently playing against Texas A&M under a temporary restraining order, but his case is still unfolding after Judge James Roberts, who issued the order, recused himself.
On Wednesday, Bediako’s legal team reportedly submitted a document to the NCAA listing examples of international players who’ve been granted eligibility-among them, Texas A&M’s Rubén Dominguez. According to the filing, Dominguez was listed as the 38th example, with the statement: “Admit that you have granted eligibility to Ruben Dominguez, a current student-athlete at Texas A&M University and former member of Movistar Estudiantes from Spain.”
The implication here is clear-Bediako’s camp is pointing to precedent. And Dominguez’s eligibility status is now part of a broader legal argument that could have ripple effects across the SEC and beyond.
As for Alabama, the Crimson Tide entered Wednesday’s game at 14-7 overall and 4-4 in SEC play. If Bediako isn’t granted an extension of eligibility, they could be looking at a serious size disadvantage in the front court-a tough blow in a conference where physicality in the paint often determines outcomes.
So while the action on the court is heating up, there’s just as much going on behind the scenes. Texas A&M continues to ride the wave of a breakout season, powered by sharp shooting and smart roster building. Alabama, on the other hand, is trying to navigate a murky eligibility battle while fighting to stay in the SEC race.
It’s February basketball in the SEC-high stakes, high drama, and every possession matters.