College basketball is about to get a whole lot faster in College Station. Texas A&M’s decision to hire Bucky McMillan as its next head men’s basketball coach has already turned heads—and it hasn’t taken long for those who’ve played under him to start singing his praises.
Samford point guard Rylan Jones, who played two seasons under McMillan, believes Aggie fans are in for a treat. “People are going to learn to love ‘Bucky Ball’ in College Station,” Jones said with confidence. And based on McMillan’s track record, there’s plenty of reason to believe he’s right.
McMillan leaves behind a revitalized Samford program that experienced a renaissance under his leadership. In five seasons at the helm, he compiled a 99-52 record, highlighted by a 29-6 campaign in 2024 that saw the Bulldogs return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2000. His teams were relentless, energetic, and most importantly—fun to watch.
Jones, who transferred from Utah to Samford to finish out his college career, became one of the key facilitators of McMillan’s high-octane offense. Averaging 10.7 points and 5.2 assists during the 2025 season, Jones thrived in the system known affectionately as “Bucky Ball.”
So what exactly is Bucky Ball? “The definition of Bucky Ball is the press, how fast you want to play, trapping, you know, playing a lot of guys, depth, and shooting a lot of threes and having a lot of fun,” Jones explained.
That fun came with substance. Last season, Samford ranked 24th nationally in tempo, averaging 71.1 possessions per game. Their average possession lasted just 15.8 seconds—18th-fastest in the country. It’s the kind of basketball that keeps fans engaged and opponents scrambling.
Beyond the system, though, Jones praised McMillan’s personal qualities just as much as his coaching chops. “They’re getting one of the coolest guys that I’ve ever been a part of. He’s just a real dude,” Jones said. “You know the coolest thing about him is he’s just a great person. He’s never too big for anybody. … I’m extremely lucky I got to play for him for the last two years.”
As Texas A&M looks to turn the page and inject new energy into its basketball program, McMillan’s blend of charisma, innovation, and player-first mentality seems like a perfect match. If his track record at Samford is any indication, the Aggies might be on the verge of something special.
“College Station doesn’t know what’s coming,” Jones said with a grin. “But they’re going to love it.”
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