I honestly like Bucky's communication style, which seems pretty "organic"/dynamic in terms of the flow of the conversation.
Here is the overall summary:
Interview starts ~24 min mark.
https://www.youtube.com/live/Jtw9MMHeM7Q?feature=shared&t=1495
Here is the overall summary:
- Talked about his real name being Henry McMillan.
- Meteoric rise from HS coach to A&M coach.
- Alabama and Texas people being very similar (chill/down people)
- College Station being an easy town to acclimate to.
- A&M has the resources for championships.
- A&M is opening during the spring. Samford's AD told him that A&M was a place he could go and be successful.
- What is Bucky ball? When he started in Alabama HS, the majority of teams played very slow. Old coaches used to talk about "bucky ball" as somebody bad but eventually became a good thing.
- Nate Oaks (Bama) is a guy he looked in terms of analytics/style.
- Samford vs Kansas game in 2024 and losing a close game.
- Mid-majors not having a real chance to go deep in the tournament due to the talent gap and transfer portal. In 2024/25, eight (8) of his players transfer to other places. When he was at Samford, he could not talk about financial piece so he focused on basketball. Now he is at the other side (A&M), he talks to prospects about a big stage conference, facilities, how the team travels etc.
- About the talent recruited. Not the best team ever assembled, but the best considering they started recruiting so late (April 8th). At the time 80% of the top portal players were taken. People at A&M supported the coaching staff.
- Will be a good shooting team capable of beating everybody and will have some games making twenty three point shots. Some players are +40% 3pt shooter.
- Basketball is a post-season sport, and you need to shoot well to make it.
- SEC had 14 out of 16 teams in 2024/25 making the dance. 9 out of 16 coaches have at least taken the team to an Elite 8. The goal is to qualify for the tournament and win it.
- If you are in the SEC, sharpen your skills (in terms of coaching).
- Non-conference schedule. Still working on some legal stuff. Buzz Williams had some games with non-Power 5 teams. Talked about 9 and 4 model (9 non power five and 4 power five).
- Based on the personnel, is it realistic to make the tourney? Bucky said yes and emphasized that A&M was playing in the SEC championship 2/3 years ago. He expects A&M to make the tournament.
- Asked for a "gigem" at the end, but Jon Rothstein declined "gracefully.
Interview starts ~24 min mark.
https://www.youtube.com/live/Jtw9MMHeM7Q?feature=shared&t=1495