The buzz around Texas A&M men’s basketball heading into the 2025-26 season was filled with more questions than answers. A brand-new head coach, a bare-bones roster, and a conference that doesn’t exactly hand out wins easily - it had all the makings of a long rebuild. But just a few months into the Bucky McMillan era, the Aggies are flipping the script and doing it in style.
When McMillan took the reins in the spring, the cupboard was nearly empty - just one scholarship player remained. That’s not a roster; that’s a blank canvas. And McMillan wasted no time painting his vision of high-octane, up-tempo basketball, known affectionately now as “Bucky Ball.”
The recruiting pitch? Simple, but effective: Come compete in the SEC, one of the deepest leagues in the country, and do it in a system that lets you run, shoot, and play free.
That message resonated. Fast forward to January, and the Aggies are sitting at 14-4 overall, 4-1 in SEC play, and looking like a team that could be dancing come March.
A big reason for that quick turnaround? The transfer portal.
Spanish guard Rubén Domínguez and former Creighton standout Pop Isaacs have stepped in and immediately become focal points of the offense. Both are averaging 13.2 points per game in conference play and have given the Aggies a dynamic backcourt duo that can score from anywhere on the floor.
Add in veteran forward Rashaun Agee, who returned to bring some much-needed experience and toughness in the paint, and McMillan suddenly has a roster that fits his system like a glove.
This group plays fast, they play loose, and when it clicks, they’re a nightmare to defend. But for all the offensive fireworks, there are still areas that need tightening up.
Free-throw shooting and rebounding have been inconsistent - and in a league as physical as the SEC, those little things can decide games. Just ask Tennessee, who edged out the Aggies in a grueling 87-82 double-overtime battle where those fundamentals came back to haunt Texas A&M.
Now comes another test. On Wednesday night, Mississippi State rolls into Reed Arena, led by one of the most electric scorers in the country: Josh Hubbard.
The Bulldogs have had their ups and downs this season, particularly with depth, but Hubbard is the kind of player who can swing a game all by himself. He’s averaging 22.3 points per game and has the green light from anywhere on the court.
Containing Hubbard will be priority number one for the Aggies. They’ll need to throw different looks at him, force tough shots, and make someone else beat them. Offensively, Texas A&M has the firepower to keep pace, but it’ll come down to execution - making free throws, securing rebounds, and keeping the tempo where they want it.
Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. CT at Reed Arena, with the game airing live on SEC Network. It’s another opportunity for McMillan’s squad to prove that “Bucky Ball” isn’t just a fun nickname - it’s a winning formula.