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In the transfer‑portal era — where rosters flip overnight and NIL reshapes the sport — a top‑five SEC team losing in the Round of 32 by 31 points rarely feels like a success. But Texas A&M is one of the rare programs where that finish represents something far more meaningful. A foundation.
When the 2025 season ended, the writing was on the wall. Buzz Williams was expected to move on, and when Maryland — a true blue‑blood job — opened, he took it. Nearly every Aggie with eligibility followed him out the door. Overnight, A&M had no coach, no staff, and essentially no roster.
The Aggies landed on Bucky McMillan, a rising coach with an unconventional résumé and a reputation for building programs from up to contenders. Before he could even think about wins, he had two urgent tasks:
He did both.
McMillan assembled a roster with glaring early flaws, but he also secured a critical piece. NBA‑ready forward Mackenzie Mgbako, who chose Aggieland despite the rebuild. Even with Mgbako, the Aggies were picked near the bottom of the SEC. Early in the season, the results were uneven. Understandable for a team returning no offensive production but the vision was visible.
Just as A&M began to find its rhythm, disaster struck. Mgbako was lost for the season after only seven games. Still, McMillan believed his team could reach the NCAA Tournament.
A blistering 8–1 start to SEC play gave the Aggies the cushion they needed. They weathered a midseason skid, closed 4–2, and finished 11–7 in the SEC, tied for fourth. That alone legitimized McMillan’s system and secured an NCAA Tournament berth.
A&M added a cherry on top with McMillan’s first NCAA Tournament victory and the program’s first top‑25 win of the season: 63–50 over No. 22 Saint Mary’s. The Aggies fell 88–57 in the second round, but the loss didn’t overshadow the accomplishment.
McMillan’s message afterward was clear:
While the portal can change everything, A&M is positioned well:
McMillan’s priority is clear in his recruitment. Size and length. With only one starter taller than 6‑foot‑6 this season, A&M struggled to protect the paint and rebound. Crucial weaknesses for a team that shoots threes at a high volume.
In less than 12 months, McMillan took an empty roster and delivered:
For a coach who was leading a high school program just five years ago, it’s a great start and a sign that Texas A&M basketball is ahead of schedule.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: How Bucky McMillan turned an empty roster into an NCAA Tournament team
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When the 2025 season ended, the writing was on the wall. Buzz Williams was expected to move on, and when Maryland — a true blue‑blood job — opened, he took it. Nearly every Aggie with eligibility followed him out the door. Overnight, A&M had no coach, no staff, and essentially no roster.
Enter Bucky McMillan - and an empty cupboard
The Aggies landed on Bucky McMillan, a rising coach with an unconventional résumé and a reputation for building programs from up to contenders. Before he could even think about wins, he had two urgent tasks:
- Convince A&M’s decision‑makers that he could field a competitive team with zero returning production.
- Speed‑run roster construction within whatever budget he was granted.
He did both.
McMillan assembled a roster with glaring early flaws, but he also secured a critical piece. NBA‑ready forward Mackenzie Mgbako, who chose Aggieland despite the rebuild. Even with Mgbako, the Aggies were picked near the bottom of the SEC. Early in the season, the results were uneven. Understandable for a team returning no offensive production but the vision was visible.
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Adversity hits, but the Aggies Keep climbing
Just as A&M began to find its rhythm, disaster struck. Mgbako was lost for the season after only seven games. Still, McMillan believed his team could reach the NCAA Tournament.
A blistering 8–1 start to SEC play gave the Aggies the cushion they needed. They weathered a midseason skid, closed 4–2, and finished 11–7 in the SEC, tied for fourth. That alone legitimized McMillan’s system and secured an NCAA Tournament berth.
A tournament win- and a glimpse of the future
A&M added a cherry on top with McMillan’s first NCAA Tournament victory and the program’s first top‑25 win of the season: 63–50 over No. 22 Saint Mary’s. The Aggies fell 88–57 in the second round, but the loss didn’t overshadow the accomplishment.
McMillan’s message afterward was clear:
While the portal can change everything, A&M is positioned well:
- A solid core returns with a full year in McMillan’s system and tournament experience.
- Two four‑star signees are in the fold: guard Neiko Mundey, already on campus, and 7‑footer Josh Irving, arriving soon.
- A healthy Mgbako will elevate the roster when after the new additions are signed
McMillan’s priority is clear in his recruitment. Size and length. With only one starter taller than 6‑foot‑6 this season, A&M struggled to protect the paint and rebound. Crucial weaknesses for a team that shoots threes at a high volume.
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A remarkable first chapter
In less than 12 months, McMillan took an empty roster and delivered:
- 22–12 overall record
- 11–7 SEC finish
- A 10‑seed in the NCAA Tournament
- A tournament win
For a coach who was leading a high school program just five years ago, it’s a great start and a sign that Texas A&M basketball is ahead of schedule.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: How Bucky McMillan turned an empty roster into an NCAA Tournament team
Continue reading...
