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Texas A&M Opens New Era With Haggerty Leading Revamped Aggies
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- Texas A&M Opens New Era With Haggerty Leading Revamped Aggies
(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Texas A&M basketball begins its 2026-27 season Tuesday night against Alabama State, but the biggest storyline inside Reed Arena won't necessarily be the opponent.
It'll be the debut of a dramatically reconstructed Aggies roster featuring one of college basketball's most dangerous scorers.
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Head coach Bucky McMillan enters his second season with 11 newcomers, five returning players and considerable expectations after leading Texas A&M to a 22-12 record and fourth-place SEC finish last year.
The Aggies welcome Alabama State for a 7 p.m. CT tipoff on SEC Network+, looking to extend their remarkable 11-game winning streak in home season openers.
All eyes will be on PJ Haggerty, the highly regarded transfer from Kansas State who averaged 23.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists last season.
Haggerty finished fourth nationally in scoring, recorded five 30-point performances and earned preseason third-team All-SEC recognition heading into his first season in College Station.
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His offensive credentials are impressive, but there's also evidence he can deliver immediately.
Haggerty scored 28 points in Texas A&M's 94-88 exhibition loss to SMU on October 25, providing an early glimpse of his scoring ability.
He won't be working alone.
Forward Mackenzie Mgbako returns after an injury limited him to seven appearances last season. The former Indiana standout averaged 10.4 points and 4.9 rebounds before his season was cut short.
Mgbako contributed 12 points and eight rebounds against SMU, while newcomer Jordan Pope added 15 points.
The biggest challenge for McMillan could be turning that individual talent into a cohesive team.
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Last season, Texas A&M ranked among the nation's top 15 programs in scoring offense at 86.1 points per game, assists at 18.1 and made 3-pointers at 10.8.
Maintaining that pace with a nearly rebuilt roster won't be automatic.
Mgbako believes the Aggies have the pieces to make it happen.
"We try to play together. We try to play fast. We like to shoot the ball," Mgbako said while discussing the team's identity.
Alabama State, meanwhile, arrives with a new coach in Chris Wright after finishing 10-22 last season, including a 7-11 SWAC record.
Tuesday marks the first basketball meeting between the programs.
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Texas A&M has reached four consecutive NCAA Tournaments and posted five straight 20-win seasons.
McMillan wants Reed Arena to remain a major advantage.
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"We like making it miserable for the other team to come in here," he said.
The Aggies should have the talent advantage Tuesday. The more important question is whether their new pieces can begin building the chemistry required for another March run.
