Can Bucky McMillan's rebuilt Aggies squad recapture early magic and secure March Madness?
Texas A&M’s rise in SEC play has been one of the league’s more surprising stories this season.
In his first year at the helm, Bucky McMillan rebuilt the Aggies from the ground up using the transfer portal, and the early returns were loud. A 7-1 start in conference play pushed A&M firmly into the NCAA Tournament conversation and turned heads across college basketball.
Reality has set in a bit over the last week. Losses at Alabama and at home against Florida marked just the second losing streak of the season, dropping the Aggies to 17-6 overall and 7-3 in SEC action.
The Florida game, in particular, highlighted some of the team's growing pains.
Texas A&M struggled mightily to score, shooting just 17 percent in the first half, while the Gators repeatedly beat the Aggies’ press for easy baskets at the rim. Against a bigger, more physical frontcourt, A&M never found an offensive rhythm or a reliable perimeter answer.
Despite the loss, there were signs of progress. The Aggies battled on the glass, pulling down 19 offensive rebounds and continuing a season-long trend of improvement in rebounding effort and positioning. That toughness will matter as the schedule tightens.
Wednesday’s home matchup with Missouri looms large. With seven SEC wins already secured, Texas A&M likely needs 10 or 11 conference victories to feel comfortable about earning an at-large bid.
ESPN’s Joe Lunardi currently slots the Aggies on the 8-seed line, while Bracket Matrix projections overwhelmingly have them in the field, mostly in the 8–9 range.
Advanced metrics remain optimistic. KenPom projects Texas A&M to win six of its final eight games, a path that would solidify postseason hopes.
To get there, the Aggies must clean up shot selection, convert open looks, and avoid early scoring droughts. If they do, this rebuilt roster still has plenty of March upside.