Texas A&M basketball has more than exceeded expectations for the 2025-26 season, considering they were picked to be one of the worst teams in the SEC.
With Texas A&M looking like a lock to make the NCAA Tournament, it wasn't what anybody had on their radar to begin the season. Texas A&M was predicted to finish 13th in the conference. For reference, the 13th team in the conference is Mississippi State at 13-18 (5-13 conference). That's what the media pundits thought, and they couldn't have been way more off.
Bucky McMillan should be all but separating himself from the pack for SEC Coach of the Year. His competition, Todd Golden of Florida, is a phenomenal coach coming off a national championship. With all due respect, McMillan's rise with the pieces he has was completely unexpected.
Texas A&M Athletics makes case for Bucky McMillan as SEC COTY
Year one, and we're not done 👍 pic.twitter.com/bD1h2JAsZB
— Texas A&M Aggies 👍 (@12thMan) March 8, 2026
The 0% return rate is probably the most telling stat. Chris McDermott was the sole remaining player on scholarship who stayed from the Buzz Williams era. This is one of the more underrated coaching hires in all of college basketball, and if we're being honest, McMillan's resume for SEC COTY is a full one.
McMillan was already named a candidate for the Co-Coach of the Year by SEC Network analyst Daymeon Fishback. Golden was named alongside McMillan for the award.
In Golden's case, it makes sense. Florida is one of the hottest teams in the country, trying to go back-to-back. The Gators are on an 11-game win streak, and finished the conference at 16-2. But in Florida's case, they were expected to be at the top. They struggled early, but they have passed every test since.
For Texas A&M, no one thought they would be here. The Coach of the Year always goes to the coach of the surprise team. The Aggies are definitely that surprise.