We're just three full weeks into the 2026 college football season, where the Aggies sit at 2-1 and 0-1 in SEC play before taking on LSU in Baton Rouge this weekend. However, basketball season is right around the corner, and as he enters his second season at the helm, coach Bucky McMillan and his talented 2027-2027 roster headed back to the Cox-McFerrin Center for practice this week.
This offseason, McMillan and his veteran staff, like every major college basketball program, went to work in the transfer portal and landed several players, including star shooting guard PJ Haggarty, who averaged nearly 24 points per game with Kansas State last season. Combined with several key returning players, especially forward Mackenzie Mgbako, the Aggies are
more than good enough to make it back to the NCAA Tournament.
However, the program faced its share of eligibility drama after former G League guard Bryson Warren, expected to play a significant role in the Aggie lineup this coming season, was deemed ineligible and entered the transfer portal, Bucky McMillan confirmed Thursday afternoon.
McMillan moved quickly, adding Texas transfer guard Jordan Pope, who brings much-needed backcourt experience and was one of the Longhorns' go-to playmakers last season.
“I’ve seen him make enough shots to know he can help us. He’s with the good guys now. You can tell when players hearts are right, and Pope really wants to win.”
Senior guard Rylan Griffen, who averaged 8.6 points and shot 40% from beyond the arc with the Aggies last season, has re-enrolled and is expected to play for A&M once again, but will await his preliminary injunction hearing on Monday, which will determine his eligibility to play this fall.
Still, Bucky McMillan is confident he and his staff have assembled one of the more complete rosters in the country, despite most national analysts picking the Aggies to finish in the bottom half of the SEC, as they did before his first season at the helm.
We’re further ahead knowing each other and playing with together. We’re more physical. You’ll see a lot more dunks, finishing at the basket, and slashing. This year we have more individual playmaking, which is needed.”
Texas A&M will open the season against Alabama State on Tuesday, November 3.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M HC Bucky McMillan provides roster updates, previews season
