Studio 12: The Official Texas A&M Athletics Podcast

Episode 7: The Aggie Basketball Hour with Bucky McMillan

·45 min·4 clips

How did Texas A&M's undersized basketball team out-rebound LSU by eight to secure a crucial SEC opening win?

This episode of the Aggie Basketball Hour features host Andrew Monaco and head coach Bucky McMillan reviewing Texas A&M's narrow 75-72 victory over LSU to open SEC play. McMillan joins from the post-game show to break down the win, emphasizing how his undersized team won the rebounding battle 38-30 despite a significant size disadvantage. He highlights key performances from players like Ali Diba and Zach, who stepped up in Mackenzie Mbako's absence. McMillan reveals the team learned critical lessons from a prior loss to SMU, specifically in executing press breaks which were vital against LSU. Guard Pop Isaacs then joins the show, discussing the team's defensive identity and the pride involved in their full-court pressure. He notes the team's unselfish play, leading the country in assisted baskets. The conversation shifts to the significant injury news: McKenzie Mbako has a broken foot requiring surgery and will miss the remainder of the season. McMillan discusses how this loss impacts the team's strategy, forcing them to play smaller and faster, and calls for fans to rally around the team. Later segments delve into McMillan's coaching philosophy, including his priority of program culture over individual success, similar to football coach Mike Elko's approach. He discusses roster construction, balancing high school recruits with transfer portal players. McMillan also shares in-game analytics his staff tracks, like points per possession in full-court versus half-court defense. The episode concludes with praise for players like Rashawn and Marcus Hill, who embody the team's hard-nosed identity, and a look ahead to the upcoming road game at Auburn.

As heard by us

A 75-72 SEC opener leads into a grounded look at replacing production and stretching roles.

Texas A&M's SEC opener turns on a clear basketball problem: how the Aggies adjust after losing Mackenzie Mbako, one of their leading scorers and rebounders.

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Why you'd press play

You want the 75-72 Texas A&M win over LSU, the Auburn road test next, and the roster question after Mackenzie Mbako's loss.

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