Texas A&M basketball surged to 21 wins in Bucky McMillan’s first season as Rylan Griffen powers the Aggies into the SEC Tournament.
The Texas A&M basketball team has already cleared its first hurdle under new head coach Bucky McMillan. Now the Aggies are chasing something bigger in a March moment that could define the program’s next era.
In McMillan’s first season leading Texas A&M, the Aggies finished 21–10 overall and 11–7 in SEC play, tying for fourth in one of college basketball’s toughest conferences.
It’s an impressive debut for the first-year coach, especially considering the adversity that reshaped the roster early in the year.
The Aggies lost Indiana transfer forward Mackenzie Mgbako to a season-ending injury just a few games into the non-conference slate.
Instead of rebuilding the system midseason, McMillan doubled down on his identity, leaning into speed, perimeter scoring and a smaller lineup designed to outscore opponents.
For a while, it worked brilliantly. Texas A&M jumped out to a 7–1 start in SEC play, using quick ball movement and outside shooting to overwhelm opponents. But as conference play intensified, larger teams like Florida and Arkansas exploited the Aggies’ lack of size in the paint.
Rather than abandon the plan, McMillan turned to his veterans, and one player in particular answered the call.
Kansas transfer guard Rylan Griffen delivered back-to-back statement performances to close the regular season.
Griffen scored 21 points in a win over Kentucky and followed it with 24 points in a triple-overtime thriller against LSU, drilling nine 3-pointers across the two victories.
His late-season surge has positioned him as the Aggies’ offensive spark heading into postseason play.
“If we get to the tournament and do something special, it’s something we can remember and be remembered for,” Griffen said.
“It’s Bucky’s first team and for all the things we’ve overcome, it’s bigger than just us, it’s for the program.”
Griffen’s words capture the bigger picture. With seniors like Rashaun Agee anchoring the roster and McMillan establishing a clear identity, Texas A&M’s postseason push isn’t just about one tournament run.
It’s about laying the foundation for what Aggie basketball could become.