Texas A&M is 3-0 on the season after blowing out UL Monroe 108-67, with transfer guard PJ Haggerty scoring 22 points and fellow transfer guard Jordan Pope adding 19. In a game where second-year coach Bucky McMillan played 16 players, the Aggies showcased elite depth, especially at guard, with blue-chip freshmen Neiko Mundey and Josh Irving scoring eight points each.
The Aggies shot 52% from the field, but just 29% from the 3-point range, which shouldn't be an issue throughout the season. However, Texas A&M finished 23-for-29 from the free-throw line, an issue in the first two games of the season. While A&M's non-conference schedule is less challenging, hosting Oklahoma State on Thursday will be the first significant test.
Haggerty and Pope stood
out, but McNeese transfer guard Tyshawn Archie was electric once again, showcasing his elite athleticism after producing his second dunk in two games, adding 12 points off the bench, and looking like the program's sixth man heading into the rest of the season.
Tennessee transfer forward Cade Phillips suffered a knee injury and will undergo imaging tests on his right knee on Tuesday; while it could be worse, the expectation is that he will not play Thursday against Oklahoma State.
After the win, Bucky McMillan, PJ Haggerty, and Tyshawn Archie spoke to the media. Here's what they had to say.
Bucky McMillan on his roster's depth
"It's good to play a lot of guys in the game. We wanted to space out the minutes. We want to build the depth of our team, you go through the season with injuries and sicknesses so you want to build the depth. It was good to see Josh Irving and Neiko Mundey get double digit minutes and make the most of it. We forced more than 24 turnovers and scored 54 points in both halves, so that was good to see. Now we've got to get ready for Oklahoma State."
Bucky McMillan on the team's effort level against UL Monroe
"I didn't think our effort was as good as it was last game. I practiced them last night and ran some guys for not blocking out, so we've got to get our legs together. But we're trending in the right direction."
Bucky McMillan on Tyshawn Archie's impressive dunk
"I've seen him have some surprising dunks in practice. I told him if he tried to do that on me, that would be suicide for him.
Bucky McMillan on Jordan Pope's progress through three games
"I told Frank Haith to find me five players like him for next season. He's got a mental toughness, IQ, and skill that makes him so much fun to coach. I trust him more than any player i've coached in such a short time."
Is Texas A&M ready to face Oklahoma State after last season's blowout loss?
"What we're doing so far should translate better. We should be ready to go."
Tyshawn Archie on the roster's continued development
"We're trying to play the right way. knowing when to make the one more pass and shoot it, it's stuff we work on every day in practice."
Tyshawn Archie on his dunk
"Once I got my feet right, I knew I was going to dunk it"
PJ Haggerty on Archie's dunk
"He's been doing that. We played together at Tulsa, so i've been seeing it, it's nothing new to me."
PJ Haggerty on Texas A&M's mindset heading into playing Oklahoma State
"Coach Bucky preaches to us that it's not about them, it's about us. We're getting used to each other, paying attention to details, and it will prepare us for the games we're about to play against Oklahoma State and TCU."
Can't disagree, PJ
"We've got some dogs, you know what I'm saying."
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Everything Bucky McMillan, players said after 108-67 win vs. UL Monroe
