August 30, 2024 • 10 mins
Texas Longhorns basketball coach Rodney Terry spoke with the media on Thursday about who has stepped up as leaders for the team this summer, Chendell Weaver's improvement, accommodating the newcomers, and what he expects from the forwards this season.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The way that the rules have changed and worked with
the NCAA now is that the coaching staff can work
with groups of players. It's not the full on, regular
first day of practice October world anymore. That they can
work in specialized situations with guys and a lot of
individual effort as well. So Rodney Terry had a media
(00:22):
availability yesterday and we brought to some of the sound
from that, but there were some other key points that
he made during that media availability, and we wanted to
bring that to you, starting off with the question that
RT got about who really are the leaders? Because remember,
there's been so much turnover and change, and that's the
(00:42):
way of the world with the portal, specifically in basketball,
how it can completely change the makeup and the personality
of a college basketball team. So the question for Rodney Terry,
who are the leaders of this ball club? Right now?
Speaker 2 (00:54):
We've got six transfers, we've got six returners from last year,
and we've got four freshmen. Uh, you know, so we've
got basically ten new guys. Uh and uh you know,
we've had eight weeks with our guys and we've had
good eight weeks to work with them. Uh and uh,
(01:14):
you know, we have some experience, you know, in terms
of some guys that have that have played at this
level be successful at this level. Uh. And you know,
just like anyone you you want to you want to
lean on that experience, and we will probably early in
the season. We have some continuity from last year. We
have some guys that played force last year. You alluded
to the fact that Kenda Weaver being one of those guys.
(01:34):
Cayden Cedric is one of those guys that played minutes
force last year. Zerik is one of those guys that
played force last year. And you know, depth Devon Proby
being a young guy that that we feel like have
the chance to to to crack into the rotation a
little bit too as well. Uh, returning from from last
year's team. You know, but we also brought in guys
that have the balls in their hands and they played
(01:57):
significant minutes over the course of their careers in college
as well. You know, you expect the guy Julian and
Larry to be a guy that's a leader for you
and bring leadership qualities. You know, I think it's hard
a lot of times, and I tell our team that
I said this to our team all the time. A
coach just can't knowing a guy. He may have some
expectations of guys or who we think could potentially be leaders,
(02:18):
but really guys become leaders, and guys are going to
follow those guys if they're about the right things off
the court and on the court. No one's gonna follow
anybody that's not about the right things and doesn't do
the right things every day. So you know, again, are
there guys that I think have experience that should lead
lead this team a little bit or be guys that
we expect leadership? Momp you know, you know, I do
(02:41):
expect Julian to be one of those guys. Jordan Poach's
been in school going into you know, his third year
right now. You know, ought the Columba has been in
school right now a significant amount of time. You know,
treymont Mars has been in school significant amount of time.
So those older players, you know, we will lean on
those guys. Kayden Cedric, you know, it's been here, he's
been in winning programs. He understands what that about. So
(03:04):
we'll lean on those older guys, you know, And you
know whether or not a guy like Trey Johnson, who's
gonna play in the Viking minage for us. He can
lead also in his own way as well. So you know,
again I think you know you no one coach Ken
another guy. That guy has to do it by example
every day as well.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
One of those guys that ar Chief was asked about
was Kendall Weaver and his improvement and mainly about the area.
Kendall gives so much to this team, but the one area,
and Weaver, by his own admission, said this, he wanted
to work on his outside shop more, wanted to work
on issues. So as we've improved his shooting in the
off season.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Kendall did a great job this spring really really attacking
his ball handling and and and his shooting and he
and he's improved so much, uh in those areas. I
think he put a ton of time in this this spring,
and he's put a ton of time in uh that
this summer. I think a lot was shooting.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
You know, really comes down to you put the word turkey,
and now it's the confidence level, and I think he's
a confident player, you know, Kendall, you know this. This
this summer showed a lot of good flashes, whether we
were in strimmages, whether we were in drills of being
a confident shooter and uh stepping into a shot and
knocking shots down, being an assertive offensive player. I mean,
(04:19):
he he uh. He has twelve points a game in
the NCAA tournament play last year for us, you know,
and to what the latter part of the year really
came on strong force not only being a great defender
and playing with a lot of energy, but also being
a guy that that could score the ball for us
as well. So you know, we we we expect that
to continue and in him for him to be an
(04:40):
aggressive player, uh on that side of the balls as
as much as he does or with all the other
intangibles that he brings to the table. Uh.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
Also, h Jason ken is another guy that they want
to try to accommodate in to the offense. So how
does Jason Kent factor into the long worn offense that
Rodney and the coaching staff are trying to accommodate.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
We have a lot of versatility and a lot of
length on this team and athleticism, and I think we've
been built that way, you know. And you know, we
can play a variety of different ways. We can play small,
we can play with some size you know and things.
But I think I think in particular when you start
talking about you know, Jason Kitt, Jason Kitt is one
(05:26):
of those guys that that can shoot the basketball. He
shot shot the ball at a very high clip last
year from three. You know, in our offense, we have
a lot of movement, we have a lot of cutting.
So I mean, he's he's a guy that I only
can cut, but he also can finish. You know. I
think something that he's underrated with as well as that,
and he's shown some good signs of it this summers
(05:48):
that he's a guy that can can rebound the basketball
as well. He's a really good offense of rebounding. He
goes to the glass every time, and he's one of
those guys that can get you some defensive rebounds as well.
But you know, he has some versatil. He can get
up and down the floor. He's a mobile guy, and
we'd like to think that he's gonna be a guy
that can make shots for us.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Now, earlier we heard him talking about Kayden Schdrick and
Arthur Columba as well. So what is he expecting from
the other forwards on the team like Shdrick Columba and
some of the other guys.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
When we talk about other forwards, you know, on any
given night, you know, we've really challenged, you know, our
forwards to rebound their positions at are very high level.
You know, I've really you know, challenged aught the Columba
to be try to be one of the best rebounders
in the country. You know, we know he's a versatile
guy that that can also score the ball as well,
(06:37):
but but we think that he can be a really
good rebounded force and a cerebral defender as well. Cayden
Cedric should be. He had a really good summer. You know,
he's healthy right now, knock on wood and uh, you know,
look for him to be a factor this year, uh,
in regards to to rebounding and giving us a physical
(06:58):
presence inside and real pert uh.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
You know.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
Also ze I mean Zerk, they had a good summer too.
Zarah's healthy now. You know, struggled the end of the
last year with the injuries that kind of held him
back a little bit from being the best version of
the Zeba. Both of those guys, they're healthy right now,
hoping we can keep them that way. But I think
they can be factors for us and and can bring
(07:22):
some physicality and some rebounding that that we'll need for
this team.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
And finally, you know the Longbarns. We know this early
in the season. They're going to open the season in
Las Vegas against Ohio State. Now that's one of those
classic deals. It's a one and one game. You go out,
you play one game, you come back home. They are
in a tournament and that is in Brooklyn, and it
is the week before Thanksgiving. They have a Thursday and
(07:47):
a Friday game. The Thursday game, Texas will play Syracuse.
The Friday game will be depending on whether they win
or lose against the winner or loser of a game
between Saint Joseph's and Texas Town tech Us on the
other side. Of course, they're not in the same conference anymore.
But our team has asked how much input do coaches
have on who they actually match up with in some
(08:10):
of these holiday tournament things, and that settings and classics
of that sort.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
You know, the schedule is always, you know, unique in
trying to put together a very competitive schedule because we're
going to a great league that we're excited about, that's
got great coaches and it's got great leadership, you know,
and as has had tremendous success over the last couple
of years, you know, getting eight teams in. So we
have to be prepared at our non conference uh for
(08:35):
for for a really really good conference slate. So you know,
with that in mind, we've uh when we inherited a
schedule when we got here, Legends was a part of
that process. We moved it back a few years now,
it's in front of us, it's run by Rick Jiles
and the Gazelle group a little bit runs that tournament
(08:55):
and uh uh we don't have a lot of say
a lot of times and who the who the opponents are.
If that was the case, then we probably would would
have would have had a different type of lineup and
maybe even who we're playing, uh what would have been
a part of that discussion. But but you know what,
at the end of the day, you know, we're we're
we're we're obligated to play in that tournament. We're excited
(09:18):
about the tournament. It's a great stage for us when
the mecca, you know, so you know, you can't put
a price tag on the exposure that we're going to get,
uh with who we're playing we open up with the Orangement.
The Store Start program won a national championship in the program,
so you know, we would be excited about about about
(09:38):
competing against them.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
You know they're in uh in Madison Square, you know,
and the other side of the bracket, you know, with
Saint Joe's in Texas Tech. You know, we we we
we can't think about those guys until we till we
handle and and figure out what we need to do
with the Orangeman.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Yeah, you can see where all that's going. Where folks
are wondering about the possibility of a potential match up
between Texas and Texas Tech, but that would only happen
if they both win or both lose in their first
games there in New York. We'll be back to wrap
up Hour number two here on Sports Radio AM thirteen
hundred zone of the IHR Radio app.
The way that the rules have changed and worked with
the NCAA now is that the coaching staff can work
with groups of players. It's not the full on, regular
first day of practice October world anymore. That they can
work in specialized situations with guys and a lot of
individual effort as well. So Rodney Terry had a media
(00:22):
availability yesterday and we brought to some of the sound
from that, but there were some other key points that
he made during that media availability, and we wanted to
bring that to you, starting off with the question that
RT got about who really are the leaders? Because remember,
there's been so much turnover and change, and that's the
(00:42):
way of the world with the portal, specifically in basketball,
how it can completely change the makeup and the personality
of a college basketball team. So the question for Rodney Terry,
who are the leaders of this ball club? Right now?
Speaker 2 (00:54):
We've got six transfers, we've got six returners from last year,
and we've got four freshmen. Uh, you know, so we've
got basically ten new guys. Uh and uh you know,
we've had eight weeks with our guys and we've had
good eight weeks to work with them. Uh and uh,
(01:14):
you know, we have some experience, you know, in terms
of some guys that have that have played at this
level be successful at this level. Uh. And you know,
just like anyone you you want to you want to
lean on that experience, and we will probably early in
the season. We have some continuity from last year. We
have some guys that played force last year. You alluded
to the fact that Kenda Weaver being one of those guys.
(01:34):
Cayden Cedric is one of those guys that played minutes
force last year. Zerik is one of those guys that
played force last year. And you know, depth Devon Proby
being a young guy that that we feel like have
the chance to to to crack into the rotation a
little bit too as well. Uh, returning from from last
year's team. You know, but we also brought in guys
that have the balls in their hands and they played
(01:57):
significant minutes over the course of their careers in college
as well. You know, you expect the guy Julian and
Larry to be a guy that's a leader for you
and bring leadership qualities. You know, I think it's hard
a lot of times, and I tell our team that
I said this to our team all the time. A
coach just can't knowing a guy. He may have some
expectations of guys or who we think could potentially be leaders,
(02:18):
but really guys become leaders, and guys are going to
follow those guys if they're about the right things off
the court and on the court. No one's gonna follow
anybody that's not about the right things and doesn't do
the right things every day. So you know, again, are
there guys that I think have experience that should lead
lead this team a little bit or be guys that
we expect leadership? Momp you know, you know, I do
(02:41):
expect Julian to be one of those guys. Jordan Poach's
been in school going into you know, his third year
right now. You know, ought the Columba has been in
school right now a significant amount of time. You know,
treymont Mars has been in school significant amount of time.
So those older players, you know, we will lean on
those guys. Kayden Cedric, you know, it's been here, he's
been in winning programs. He understands what that about. So
(03:04):
we'll lean on those older guys, you know, And you
know whether or not a guy like Trey Johnson, who's
gonna play in the Viking minage for us. He can
lead also in his own way as well. So you know,
again I think you know you no one coach Ken
another guy. That guy has to do it by example
every day as well.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
One of those guys that ar Chief was asked about
was Kendall Weaver and his improvement and mainly about the area.
Kendall gives so much to this team, but the one area,
and Weaver, by his own admission, said this, he wanted
to work on his outside shop more, wanted to work
on issues. So as we've improved his shooting in the
off season.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Kendall did a great job this spring really really attacking
his ball handling and and and his shooting and he
and he's improved so much, uh in those areas. I
think he put a ton of time in this this spring,
and he's put a ton of time in uh that
this summer. I think a lot was shooting.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
You know, really comes down to you put the word turkey,
and now it's the confidence level, and I think he's
a confident player, you know, Kendall, you know this. This
this summer showed a lot of good flashes, whether we
were in strimmages, whether we were in drills of being
a confident shooter and uh stepping into a shot and
knocking shots down, being an assertive offensive player. I mean,
(04:19):
he he uh. He has twelve points a game in
the NCAA tournament play last year for us, you know,
and to what the latter part of the year really
came on strong force not only being a great defender
and playing with a lot of energy, but also being
a guy that that could score the ball for us
as well. So you know, we we we expect that
to continue and in him for him to be an
(04:40):
aggressive player, uh on that side of the balls as
as much as he does or with all the other
intangibles that he brings to the table. Uh.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
Also, h Jason ken is another guy that they want
to try to accommodate in to the offense. So how
does Jason Kent factor into the long worn offense that
Rodney and the coaching staff are trying to accommodate.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
We have a lot of versatility and a lot of
length on this team and athleticism, and I think we've
been built that way, you know. And you know, we
can play a variety of different ways. We can play small,
we can play with some size you know and things.
But I think I think in particular when you start
talking about you know, Jason Kitt, Jason Kitt is one
(05:26):
of those guys that that can shoot the basketball. He
shot shot the ball at a very high clip last
year from three. You know, in our offense, we have
a lot of movement, we have a lot of cutting.
So I mean, he's he's a guy that I only
can cut, but he also can finish. You know. I
think something that he's underrated with as well as that,
and he's shown some good signs of it this summers
(05:48):
that he's a guy that can can rebound the basketball
as well. He's a really good offense of rebounding. He
goes to the glass every time, and he's one of
those guys that can get you some defensive rebounds as well.
But you know, he has some versatil. He can get
up and down the floor. He's a mobile guy, and
we'd like to think that he's gonna be a guy
that can make shots for us.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Now, earlier we heard him talking about Kayden Schdrick and
Arthur Columba as well. So what is he expecting from
the other forwards on the team like Shdrick Columba and
some of the other guys.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
When we talk about other forwards, you know, on any
given night, you know, we've really challenged, you know, our
forwards to rebound their positions at are very high level.
You know, I've really you know, challenged aught the Columba
to be try to be one of the best rebounders
in the country. You know, we know he's a versatile
guy that that can also score the ball as well,
(06:37):
but but we think that he can be a really
good rebounded force and a cerebral defender as well. Cayden
Cedric should be. He had a really good summer. You know,
he's healthy right now, knock on wood and uh, you know,
look for him to be a factor this year, uh,
in regards to to rebounding and giving us a physical
(06:58):
presence inside and real pert uh.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
You know.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
Also ze I mean Zerk, they had a good summer too.
Zarah's healthy now. You know, struggled the end of the
last year with the injuries that kind of held him
back a little bit from being the best version of
the Zeba. Both of those guys, they're healthy right now,
hoping we can keep them that way. But I think
they can be factors for us and and can bring
(07:22):
some physicality and some rebounding that that we'll need for
this team.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
And finally, you know the Longbarns. We know this early
in the season. They're going to open the season in
Las Vegas against Ohio State. Now that's one of those
classic deals. It's a one and one game. You go out,
you play one game, you come back home. They are
in a tournament and that is in Brooklyn, and it
is the week before Thanksgiving. They have a Thursday and
(07:47):
a Friday game. The Thursday game, Texas will play Syracuse.
The Friday game will be depending on whether they win
or lose against the winner or loser of a game
between Saint Joseph's and Texas Town tech Us on the
other side. Of course, they're not in the same conference anymore.
But our team has asked how much input do coaches
have on who they actually match up with in some
(08:10):
of these holiday tournament things, and that settings and classics
of that sort.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
You know, the schedule is always, you know, unique in
trying to put together a very competitive schedule because we're
going to a great league that we're excited about, that's
got great coaches and it's got great leadership, you know,
and as has had tremendous success over the last couple
of years, you know, getting eight teams in. So we
have to be prepared at our non conference uh for
(08:35):
for for a really really good conference slate. So you know,
with that in mind, we've uh when we inherited a
schedule when we got here, Legends was a part of
that process. We moved it back a few years now,
it's in front of us, it's run by Rick Jiles
and the Gazelle group a little bit runs that tournament
(08:55):
and uh uh we don't have a lot of say
a lot of times and who the who the opponents are.
If that was the case, then we probably would would
have would have had a different type of lineup and
maybe even who we're playing, uh what would have been
a part of that discussion. But but you know what,
at the end of the day, you know, we're we're
we're we're obligated to play in that tournament. We're excited
(09:18):
about the tournament. It's a great stage for us when
the mecca, you know, so you know, you can't put
a price tag on the exposure that we're going to get,
uh with who we're playing we open up with the Orangement.
The Store Start program won a national championship in the program,
so you know, we would be excited about about about
(09:38):
competing against them.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
You know they're in uh in Madison Square, you know,
and the other side of the bracket, you know, with
Saint Joe's in Texas Tech. You know, we we we
we can't think about those guys until we till we
handle and and figure out what we need to do
with the Orangeman.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Yeah, you can see where all that's going. Where folks
are wondering about the possibility of a potential match up
between Texas and Texas Tech, but that would only happen
if they both win or both lose in their first
games there in New York. We'll be back to wrap
up Hour number two here on Sports Radio AM thirteen
hundred zone of the IHR Radio app.
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