Everything new Texas A&M HC Bucky McMillan had to say to the media press conference

[ASFN Admin]

After an inspiring welcome press conference where new Texas A&M basketball coach Bucky McMillan, he sat down with the media to discuss how he plans to move the program forward.

On Monday evening, Aggie fans got to learn a little bit about McMillan and his journey from Birmingham, Alabama, to Bryan-College Station. He spoke on "Bucky Ball" and the type of team he is looking to build in Aggieland based on selflessness, sacrifice, and intensity. With former Aggie coaches Mitch Cole and Kyle Keller joining his staff, he'll have a wealth of experience to lean on when it comes to Aggieland and recruiting in the state of Texas.

While Coach McMillan didn't guarantee immediate success, he did promise to bring an exciting brand of basketball to Reed Arena that would bring fans to the seats. All he asked in return is for the fan base to trust and support him as he works to bring championship basketball to A&M.

Below are the key quotes from his press conference with the Media after the Welcoming ceremony at Reed Arena.

A&M will leave no stone unturned in recruiting​

"We take players from anywhere; the best players that we can get that can help our program be successful."

"The most important thing in recruiting is, when you build a car, you can have three steering wheels and an engine. You have to have the right pieces. ... We're going to sift and find the right pieces."

Every day in practice will be a competition under coach McMillan​

"The way that we play is something that we do every day. If you come to our practice, every day is a competition."

"When you've done 3,200 drills, the variance shakes out. ... That's how we practice. When we get to game day and play at the pace that we play, that's just another day for our guys."

Kyle Miller and Mitch Cole will be key to A&M's success​

"Kyle (Keller) and Mitch (Cole) were tremendous to get. Not just because of their ties to this university but because of their knowledge of the game."

The 12th man was a big selling point on Bucky accepting the job​

"It has been awesome, and it has been genuine. I like real people, and it has been genuine in how much they love this place."

Expect to see a team that gives their all every night​

"When we play, you're going to see dogs on the floor. Win, lose or draw, you're going to say, 'I'm glad I have Texas A&M on my shirt because those guys laid it out on the floor.'"

Coach Bucky has confidence in his system and believes it will work at any level​

"I have complete confidence that what we do is going to work because I've seen it work."

Coach McMillan talks about the origins of "Bucky Ball"​

The whole 'Bucky Ball' thing started when I was coaching in high school. It followed me to college, and now we're here in Texas."

There is more to Aggieland than just the elite facilities​

"I was hearing some of the unique stuff that I had seen from afar that I didn't understand yet."

"With anything you do, it's about the people. These buildings and this office, it's fantastic, but that's not going to win us a game. It's about the people in this program. You love this university. Is it because it has nice buildings? No, it's about the people."

Bucky believes everything is right here to accomplish the impossible​

"The nature of college athletics has changed. Resources matter a great deal. We're in the best league in the country with maybe the best fan base in the country with maybe the best resources in the country. What's not possible?"

Coach Bucky is finalizing his staff and plans to hit the ground running to assemble a basketball team with whoever remains in the portal. Year one will have its growing pains, but the future is bright.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M basketball: New HC Bucky McMillan speaks to media

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