Texas A&M Basketball Is Thriving Under Bucky McMillan - And These Players Are Leading the Charge
When Texas A&M hired Bucky McMillan as head coach back in April 2025, there were plenty of questions about how his up-tempo, press-heavy system - affectionately known as “Bucky Ball” - would translate to the SEC. Now, 20 games into the season, the Aggies are sitting at 16-4 overall and 6-1 in conference play, holding sole possession of first place in the SEC standings.
That includes a landmark road win over Texas - their first in Austin in 24 years - and a double-overtime thriller against then-No. 21 Tennessee, their only conference loss to date.
It’s the Aggies’ best SEC start since 2023, and it’s happening with a roster that includes 14 new faces. That’s not just impressive - that’s culture-setting stuff.
And while the schedule hasn’t been the toughest, A&M’s No. 40 RPI ranking shows they’re doing what good teams should: taking care of business.
Let’s break down the key contributors who are helping this team find its identity in McMillan’s first year - and how they’ve fared through the heart of SEC play.
Rubén Dominguez, Guard - A-
Rubén Dominguez came in with a reputation as a sharpshooter, and he’s absolutely lived up to the billing. The 6-foot-6 guard from Spain has been lights out from deep, connecting on 44.3% of his 3-point attempts - good for fifth in the SEC - and his 66 made threes rank second in the conference.
He’s leading the Aggies in minutes (25.1 per game), is second in scoring (12.9 PPG), and tops the team in free-throw percentage (90.9%). Dominguez already etched his name into the record books with 10 threes in a single game against Manhattan and has scored in double figures 15 times. He’s not just shooting - he’s shaping games.
Rashaun Agee, Forward - A+
If you’re looking for the heart and soul of this team, it’s Rashaun Agee. The veteran forward has stepped up in every way since Mackenzie Mgbako was lost for the season in late December. Agee is leading the team in both scoring (13.7 PPG) and rebounding (8.7 RPG), while averaging 24.5 minutes a night.
He’s not just producing - he’s doing it consistently. With nine double-doubles, he trails only Florida’s Rueben Chinyelu in the SEC. Agee’s leadership has been as important as his stat line, and he’s become the emotional engine driving this Aggie squad.
Rylan Griffen, Guard - A
Rylan Griffen has found his groove in McMillan’s system. The 6-foot-5 senior, who’s played at both Kansas and Alabama, is third on the team in scoring (11.6 PPG) and minutes (24.4), and second in assists (2.7 APG). He’s also been a defensive standout, averaging a team-high 1.8 steals per game - a crucial piece in the Aggies’ press-heavy defense.
Griffen has elevated his game in SEC play, hitting double figures in five of seven conference games. His second-half explosion against Texas - 17 points after the break - was one of the defining performances of the season so far.
Marcus Hill, Guard - C+
Marcus Hill has been a steady part of the starting five, averaging 10.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 21.7 minutes per game. He was strong in the nonconference portion of the schedule, putting up 12.4 points per game, but his production has dipped in SEC play - just 5.7 points per game, with only one double-digit scoring effort.
Still, Hill’s rebounding from the guard spot has been valuable for a team that doesn’t have much size, and his early-season contributions helped set the tone.
Pop Isaacs, Guard - B+
Pop Isaacs may not start, but his impact is undeniable. The former Creighton guard is averaging 10.4 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in 21.5 minutes per game. He’s embraced a bench role that was new to him, and as he’s grown more comfortable, the team has reaped the benefits.
Isaacs has scored in double figures in all but one SEC game - a testament to his consistency and ability to spark the offense when needed.
Jacari Lane, Guard - B-
Jacari Lane has quietly become one of the Aggies’ most important facilitators. The former North Alabama guard leads the team in assists (3.9 APG) and is averaging 7.9 points and 2.1 rebounds in 21.3 minutes.
He’s not as efficient a scorer as some of his teammates, shooting 44.3% from the field, but he’s a steady hand at the point and a reliable free-throw shooter at 85%. In a system that thrives on pace and pressure, Lane’s ability to run the show matters.
Josh Holloway, Guard - C+
Josh Holloway followed McMillan from Samford to College Station, but his impact has been limited so far. He’s averaging 5.3 points, 2.3 assists, and 1.9 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per game, and while he had five double-digit scoring games during nonconference play, he’s gone scoreless in five of seven SEC games.
He’s shooting a solid 52% from the field and averaging a steal per game, but he hasn’t quite found his rhythm in conference play.
Ali Dibba, Guard - B+
Ali Dibba has been one of the more pleasant surprises of the season. After a quiet nonconference stretch - just 3.9 points per game and five scoreless outings - the 6-foot-5 senior has stepped up in SEC play, averaging 7.1 points and giving the Aggies a lift off the bench.
He dropped 12 points in the conference opener against LSU and has shown flashes of the scoring punch he delivered last season at Southern Illinois, where he averaged 17.2 points. He’s also helped on the glass, particularly as the competition has stiffened.
Zach Clemence, Forward - C+
Zach Clemence had his breakout moment against South Carolina, pouring in a career-high 21 points with seven threes. But outside of that performance, it’s been an up-and-down campaign for the former Kansas big man.
He’s averaging 5.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 13.1 minutes, shooting an impressive 48.8% from beyond the arc. Still, he’s scored more than five points just twice in his last 13 games and hasn’t played more than 16 minutes in any SEC contest. On a team light on size, Clemence’s role remains a bit undefined.
Federiko Federiko, Forward - C-
The 6-foot-11 Federiko Federiko was expected to be a key piece for the Aggies’ frontcourt, but his role has diminished as the season has progressed. He’s averaging just 10.8 minutes, 2.8 points, and 2.3 rebounds per game, and over the last four SEC games, he’s logged just 4.7 minutes per contest.
The most telling stat? He didn’t see the floor at all against Texas, while Jamie Vinson - a former Longhorn - came in and gave A&M a lift with four points, a rebound, and a block. For now, Federiko is still searching for his footing.
Final Word
Texas A&M’s first half under Bucky McMillan has been a statement. With a revamped roster, a new system, and a demanding style of play, the Aggies are not just surviving - they’re thriving. Led by veterans like Rashaun Agee, Rubén Dominguez, and Rylan Griffen, this team has found an identity and is proving to be a real threat in the SEC.
The road ahead will get tougher, but if the first 20 games are any indication, Bucky Ball is alive and well in College Station - and it’s turning heads for all the right reasons.