Texas A&M is quietly building something special under head coach Bucky McMillan-and while the AP Top 25 voters haven’t quite bought in yet, the rest of the college basketball world is starting to take notice.
After a stumble against SMU, the Aggies have bounced back in a big way, winning nine of their last ten games and surging to the top of the SEC standings. That kind of run doesn’t happen by accident. McMillan has this team playing with purpose, grit, and a clear identity-one that’s becoming harder to ignore with each passing week.
Still, despite their recent dominance, Texas A&M remains on the outside looking in when it comes to the national rankings. They picked up 27 votes in the latest AP poll-enough to be in the “others receiving votes” category, but still trailing behind conference rivals like Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia. Throw Iowa into that mix too, a team that’s also been rejuvenated under new head coach Ben McCollum.
What’s keeping the Aggies out of the Top 25? A few things.
For one, programs like Florida and Alabama loaded up their early-season schedules with tough matchups, which helped boost their national profiles even with a few losses. And then there’s the buzz around Miami (Ohio), who’s sitting at a perfect 20-0 and soaking up plenty of national attention.
In a crowded field, it’s not always about who’s hottest-it’s about who’s hardest to ignore.
But here’s the thing: if Texas A&M keeps doing what they’re doing, the rankings will take care of themselves.
Their next big test comes against Georgia, a matchup that could carry serious weight when the next poll drops. Earlier this season, they battled Tennessee in a high-scoring 87-82 loss that showed they can hang with the league’s best. Kentucky, another SEC powerhouse, looms later on the schedule-an opportunity for a statement win if the Aggies can stay on track.
There’s no doubt the path forward is tough. The SEC is a gauntlet, and the Aggies are about to run through its toughest stretch.
But that’s also the opportunity. If they can pick up wins over top-tier conference opponents while teams like Saint Louis or Miami (Ohio) take a hit, the door to the Top 25 could swing wide open.
For now, McMillan and his squad aren’t sweating the rankings. They’re locked in on the task at hand-winning basketball games and proving they belong. But the question fans are asking is a fair one: how is the SEC’s top team still unranked?
The answer might not be satisfying, but it’s simple-sometimes it takes a little longer for the spotlight to find the right team. If Texas A&M keeps playing like this, though, it won’t be long before that spotlight finds College Station.