Texas A&M has been elite from the free-throw line in last 3 games

Texas A&M (17-4, 7-1 SEC) should be undefeated in SEC play if it weren’t for missed free throws down the stretch of the double-overtime loss at Tennessee, as the Aggies have not lost since, and while efficient shooting, paired with improved rebounding have certainly aided the team, resulting in three straight double-digit wins, first-year head coach Bucky McMillan deserve a ton of credit for gearing the focus back to the free throw line.

As a team, the Aggies are shooting 74.8% from the stripe, while Spanish sharpshooter Ruben Dominguez leads the team at 90%, while six players are shooting 80% or better.

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On Saturday, the Aggies earned their third Quad 1A win after defeating Georgia on the road 92-77, and shot 45% from the field, and 38% from beyond the arc, and outside of winning the rebounding battle 46-39, Texas A&M finished an impressive 19-20 from the free-throw line, and was perfect in the final minutes of the second half.

During former head coach Buzz Williams’ career in College Station, the Aggies struggled at the free throw line, which directly led to frustrating losses in and out of conference play, and while the offense never flourished under Williams like we’ve seen under McMillan this season, free throws continued to make or break outcomes for every team, no matter the play style.

“Bucky Ball” is built on three-point shooting and high-percentage shots near the rim, while the press defense, comically dubbed the “mother-in-law” defense by McMillan, has continued to force turnovers, leading to fast-break points and big leads over the last three games.

Still, in the last three wins, the Aggies were nearly perfect from the free throw line, converting 51-54 attempts for a 94.4% success rate, which, combined with 39 three-pointers, Texas A&M’s offense has looked unstoppable, and will continue to score 90 points or more if this success at the stripe continues in conference play.

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While the size differential is notable over the next two games against Alabama on the road and Florida at home, Texas A&M’s fast-paced play style frustrated Auburn and Texas, who both possessed more size in the paint, and if the Aggies continue to convert at the free throw line, anything is possible moving forward.