Texas A&M coach Bucky McMillan's second season at the helm is expected to be his best, primarily due to the seven offseason transfer additions, led by star shooting guard PJ Haggerty, who averaged nearly 24 points per game last season and looks like the team's engine, while Texas transfer point guard Jordan Pope must stay healthy to allow the offense to reach its full potential.
In the front court, Zach Clemence and Jamie Vinson return, while senior forward Mackenzie Mgbako is 100% healthy after playing just seven games last season. The addition of Tennessee transfer forward Cade Phillips may be even more impactful on defense, adding physicality and rebounding, and needing to pick up where the departed Rashaun Agee left off.
Bucky McMillan's fast-paced
scheme requires a roster with at least three NBA-level players, and, on paper, the coaching staff is well equipped with PJ Haggerty, Mackenzie Mgbako, and Jordan Pope, who could all play at the next level. Every Aggie fan who has been paying attention knows that these three starters must stay healthy for the Aggies to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
Other names to watch in Tuesday's season-opener vs. Alabama State include transfer small forward Jalen Shelley, LSU transfer guard Jalen Reese, and McNeese transfer guard Tyshawn Archie, all expected to make a significant impact and provide much-needed depth.
Ahead of the Aggies' season-opener, here are three observations before Texas A&M vs. Alabama State.
Can you Aggies go undefeated in non-conference play?
Texas A&M's first real non-conference challenge comes on November 12 against Oklahoma State, a year after the Cowboys blew out Bucky McMillan's first team without Mackenzie Mgbako, while his first roster's chemistry was not at a healthy level. With the new additions and Mgbako healthy, the Aggies now host OK State with some momentum.
Set to face Xavier and Marquette in the Battle 4 Atlantis, combined with Stanford and Florida State in December, will serve as the other main challenges, but I trust that this current team, barring any injury setbacks, will be able to match every challenge that comes their way, especially PJ Haggerty's elite slashing skill set.
Will there be more chaos on defense this season?
Last season, Texas A&M's defense ranked 42nd in steals, which is respectable, and helped lead to several wins in SEC play. However, with the new talent from the transfer portal, especially PJ Haggerty, who recorded multiple steals during last Sunday's exhibition loss vs. SMU, the Aggies forced 20 turnovers.
Texas A&M recorded 276 steals for an average of 8.1 per game, led by Rylan Griffen's 1.6 per game, who is deemed ineligible to play this season, at least for now, meaning Haggerty, Jordan Pope, or, likely, Tyshawn Archie will lead the team in steals this season.
Cade Phillips and Jamie Vison could be one of the more formidable front-court duos, and for those who haven't watched Phillips at Tennessee, intensity is his middle name. Bucky McMillan and his staff will implement the necessary scheme, so it's up to the newcomers to respond.
Will Texas A&M be able to overcome injury issues?
Texas A&M will already be without Rylan Griffen, and after losing Mackenzie Mgbako for the season after just seven games, Rashaun Agee, who led the Aggies in scoring and rebounds last season, isn't here to save the day. PJ Haggerty nearly suffered a serious injury during the exhibition loss to SMU, while Jordan Pope will need to stay healthy for 30-plus games.
Do the Aggies possess the necessary depth to overcome an injury to Mgbako or Haggerty? Possibly, knowing that transfer guard Jalen Reece and Tyshawn Archie bring experience, while transfer small forward Jalen Shelley, who averaged nearly 14 points per game with LMU last season, could easily take over if needed.
Zach Clemence scored 20-plus points, including his career high of 29 points against Arkansas last season, so if anyone on the roster can do it, the former Kansas transfer is certainly dependable with added experience.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: 3 questions before Texas A&M basketball's 2026-2027 season-opener
