Texas A&M basketball may have taken a gut-punch loss in Knoxville, but don’t let that double-overtime heartbreaker against Tennessee cloud the bigger picture-this team is ahead of schedule, and Bucky McMillan’s fingerprints are all over it.
At 13-4, the Aggies are navigating the rugged terrain of SEC play with a roster that’s still learning how to play together. That loss to the Vols?
It stung, no doubt. A late blown call in double OT could’ve flipped the outcome, and Texas A&M left the court knowing they were just a bounce or whistle away from a statement win.
Still, it was only their fourth loss of the season-and two of those have come in overtime battles on the road. The only other blemish was a Quad 2 home loss to UCF.
The bigger takeaway? This team is competing.
They’re 1-3 in Quad 1 games, which isn’t where you want to be come March, but context matters. They’ve been right there in the fight in high-pressure environments, and that’s a sign of a team with potential-especially one that’s still coming together.
Right now, Texas A&M sits 48th in the NET rankings, which puts them squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble. That makes this weekend’s matchup against the Texas Longhorns in Austin a big one-both for in-state bragging rights and for their postseason résumé.
But regardless of how the rest of the season shakes out, McMillan has already proven he was the right hire. Year one under his leadership has this program trending up-and faster than expected.
What makes this run even more impressive is that the Aggies have been doing it without their most talented player. Mackenzie Mgbako, the team’s top-tier talent, has been sidelined for most of the season due to an offseason injury and has now been ruled out for the year.
His absence is massive. He’s not just a key piece-he’s the kind of player you build a system around.
So the fact that this team, still figuring out its identity and chemistry, has managed to not just stay afloat but pull off a signature win over Auburn and nearly steal another against Tennessee? That’s no small feat.
The roster is a mix of skilled players who hadn’t played together before this season. That kind of inexperience usually shows up in the win-loss column.
But McMillan has this group buying in, playing hard, and believing they can hang with anyone.
They’re not a finished product-far from it. And with Mgbako out, they won’t get to reach their true ceiling this year.
But what we’re seeing is a foundation being built, one that could turn into something special. The energy around this team is real, and the belief McMillan is instilling in his players is showing up on the court.
There’s still a long road ahead in SEC play, and the margin for error is slim when you’re living on the bubble. But if this version of the Aggies can keep growing, keep competing, and maybe steal a few more wins against top-tier competition, don’t be surprised if they’re dancing in March.
One thing’s clear: Texas A&M basketball isn’t waiting around for the future. Under Bucky McMillan, the future might already be here.