What grade does Texas A&M HC Bucky McMillan deserve after Year 1?

· Yahoo Sports

Texas A&M's hopes of making the Sweet 16 for the first time since the 2018 season were dashed after falling to 2-seed Houston 88-57 in the second round, resulting in the program's largest loss in NCAA Tournament history, while the Aggies' 57 points were the program's lowest scoring total of the season.

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However, it's important to note that first-year head coach Bucky McMillan inherited a roster with just one player after being the last Power Five coach hired last April, and he had to build his entire team from the transfer portal just to field a team. Also, the Aggies' prized transfer addition, former Indiana forward Mackenzie Mgbako, was lost for the year after appearing in several nonconference games.

Mgbako's injury forced McMillan to rely on senior forward Rashaun Agee, along with his deep guard rotation, to play more small-ball, focused on shooting at a high percentage from beyond the arc, while playing aggressive press defense from start to finish.

This plan was not expected to work by many college basketball "experts," but after a 7-1 start in SEC play, multiple losing streaks paired with a strong finish resulted in a 21-11 overall and 11-7 conference record, while Rashaun Agee, who led the team in scoring and rebounds, was named third-team All-SEC.

Thanks to five Quad 1 wins, the Aggies earned a 10-seed in the NCAA Tournament and faced 7-seed Saint Mary's. Despite the size difference, McMillan's veteran squad defeated the Gaels 63-50, thanks to 18 forced turnovers and an elite defensive effort. Houston's roster, chock-full of NBA talent, took full advantage of the Aggies' early miscues, building an 18-point lead into halftime, and didn't let up in the second half.

Still, making it to the second round of March Madness in Year 1 places the Bucky McMillan ahead of schedule in College Station, and with 16 days before the transfer portal opens, adding more size and length in the front court, paired with another reliable scoring guard, will result in a roster ready to compete for a Sweet 16 berth in 2027.

So, what letter grade does McMillan deserve after his first season? It's hard to give the Alabama native anything lower than a B+, but this writer feels a solid A is more deserving, given the preseason circumstances that he and his team overcame from late October to Saturday afternoon.

The future is undoubtedly bright, and even compared to former head coaches, including Buzz Williams, Mark Turgeon, and Billy Gillespie, Bucky McMillan has proven that he can adapt to the new college basketball era and coach among the best in the business.

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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: What grade does Texas A&M HC Bucky McMillan deserve after Year 1?

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