Guard Marcus Hill started 25 games at NC State last season when he averaged 11.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. Photo courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics.
“Bucky Ball” Sets Pace on the Floor: McMillan won five state championships at Mountain Brook High School in Birmingham, Ala., where he took the program to the state finals in two more seasons in his 12-year tenure.
The Samford Bulldogs reached new heights under McMillan in 2023-24, winning 29 games, the Southern Conference regular season and tournament titles. Samford participated in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1999-2000. The Bulldogs dropped a 93-89 decision to Kansas and had chances to win after coming back from a 22-point deficit, only to lose on a controversial call in the waning moments.
McMillan’s teams are in ultra-physical shape by continually pressuring the opponent with a suffocating defense. Offensively, his teams feature an ultra-fast transition game with even more “ultra” three-point consistency.
“We had to put together a roster that had good people and had talent. We’ll have to play smaller in spots this year. Some guys out of position. But we know that when you look at the Final Four, those rosters all have one thing in common. Is it that they play zone? Is it that they play man? Is it that they press? Shoot a lot of threes? One thing in common, they got talent.” — Texas A&M head coach Bucky McMillan
Cal-Stance: McMillan heard Arkansas coach John Calipari’s comment, “‘Look, we just got hired, I met with the team, and there is no team.’ I laughed at that, and then they say ‘be careful what you wish for’, they always said, ‘be careful what you laugh at.'”
McMillan brought in nine transfers and one freshman to turn over the roster after the usual transitions that occur when there is a coaching change.
“I think our staff did as good a job as possible of putting together a team that I believe they can compete in this league,” McMillan commented. “If you can compete in this league, it means you can get to the NCAA tournament.”
Engaging Roster: Guard Josh Holloway follows McMillan from Samford, where he was a scorer and a top option.
Former USC forward Josh Agee and NC State guard Marcus Hill join Kansas transfers Zach Clemence and Rylan Griffen as four of the nine transfers, and lone freshman Rashaun Agee look like stalwarts on this incoming roster.
“We are old, deep, will play a style of basketball that will be entertaining for the fans and hopefully hard to play against,” explained McMillan.
Texas A&M 98, Northwestern State 68 – Spanish guard Ruben Dominquez led five Aggies in double figures as Texas A&M blasted Northwestern State, 98-68, on Monday evening.
Rylan Griffen and Josh Holloway scored 13 each, while Rashaun Agee and Federiko Federiko netted 12 points.
In “Bucky Ball” style, the Aggies averaged 15 seconds per possession and scored 24 points on 16 Demons’ turnovers.