Wemby A First Time All Star, All Star Snubs, Arch Manning, Texas Women's Basketball

Andrew Zimmel guest hosts The Craig Way Show where he talks about Wemby making history after being named an All Star for the first time, Trae Young and Sabonis being snubbed from the All Stars, Arch Manning, and Texas Women's Basketball. It's all here on The Craig Way Show!

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
What is happening out in Texas. Andrew Zimmel filling in
for Craig Way the final day of a fun filled week.
Thank you for hanging out with us this afternoon. Got
a loaded show for you. Once again. I cannot believe
how much happens over twenty four hours. So that's what
we do over here, man, We keep it up to

(00:22):
date for you. We got all of the breaking news,
including a huge win for the Texas women's basketball team
yesterday against Missouri. We'll get back to that one in
a second. Victor wem Binyama, he makes his first All
Star appearance that was announced last night as well. We
talked to Vick Schaeffer earlier today with a little media availability,

(00:44):
and we go through the early, early early Heisman Trophy
favorites this hour and hour number one, and I'm gonna
tell you why, even though Arch Banding is right now
the betting favorite to win the twenty twenty five Heisman Trophy,
why you shouldn't put too many eggs in that basket,

(01:06):
and why you should be scouring college football rosters after
spring practice because most of the time it's guys who
aren't even in the top twenty they're not even on
the board who end up getting invited to New York.
But let's start back with Texas women's basketball at number five.
Texas women's team held Missouri to thirty six percent shooting

(01:30):
in the second half to rally back to win seventy
sixty one over the Tigers at the Movie Center on Thursday.
Rory Harmon recorded as season high ten assist to tie
her season high with six rebounds as well. Three Longhorns
scored in double figures, including Taylor Jones leading the way
with seventeen points and six rebounds, and Madison Booker, who

(01:52):
fall behind her with sixteen points and six rebounds. So
the game, the Texas started the game forcing two Missouri
turnovers in the opening two minutes. So Jones then connected
with a pair of free throws to finish the first quarter.
Longhorns trailed twenty to thirteen after scoring nine points in
the first Jones opened up the second quarter with the
layup assisted by Branda Pierce him with a three pointer

(02:14):
from Lee. Texas then went on a ten to oh
run just under three minutes to finish the half, trailing
thirty five to thirty three against Missouri. But this is
where things got interesting. Let's hear it. This is Craig
Way cut one. This is them taking the lead for
the first time in the game.

Speaker 2 (02:32):
Hartman got a bat, drives had underneath it goes out,
the Booker fires up a three.

Speaker 3 (02:36):
Go there you go.

Speaker 2 (02:39):
Madison knocks it down. The long Horns up their first
leave of the night, thirty eight thirty five.

Speaker 1 (02:46):
So Madison Booker, it took her a whole half to
secure a bucket last night, but when she did, she
came off again, had a very good night, ended up
being the second leading scorer for the Longhorns with sixteen
last night. Longhorns came back at half seven points for
Booker to take the lead Texas fourth three straight turnovers

(03:07):
to hel Missouri to over two minutes, scoring drought to
finish the third fifty two to forty five. Booker then
opened up the final quarter with a jumper above the Tigers,
leading sixty two to fifty seven, and then she holly
drained a three to put the Longhorns up by eight
with just over two minutes remaining. But I would see

(03:28):
the MVP from the game was Taylor Jones and she
had a big block.

Speaker 2 (03:36):
This is joy to pass out front the Lunion randall,
here's ramdalled five and rounds Hi Dan rejected by Jones
just stood up and knocked it down and the loose
ball screwed up for Texas by Roy.

Speaker 1 (03:46):
Harmenhal So Taylor Jones last night, twenty eight minutes of action,
six of twelve from the floor, five of six from
the free throw line, seventeen points to lead the Longhorns,
and that huge block as well well, and listening to
coach Vick Schaeffer earlier in the week talk about how
important this player was, how important Jones was to not

(04:07):
only their offensive game plan but the defensive game plan,
and how much she has grown as a player over
the season. It makes sense for her to be the
MVP of this game. Now the Longhorns, they have again
a tough stretch ahead of them, including a game on
Sunday coming up this week against Texas A and M.

(04:30):
And we'll hear from coach Schaeffer later in the program
talking about, you know, what does this rivalry really mean?
You know, Texas and Texas A and M have had
their battles, of course, and he went all the way
back to the Little Southwest Conference and said, hey, most
of these players aren't old enough to remember that they
don't remember this type of women's basketball rivalry. Then you

(04:51):
also have to look at the schedule for UT and
they have big games down the stretch, including a home
matchup on Super Bowl Sunday against South ca Carolina and
Don Staley's game Cocks have been unbelievable this season. I
was talking to Roger Wallace yesterday on the Craigway Show
Andrews I will filling in for Craig this week, and

(05:12):
we were saying that there feels like there's like six
teams and only four number one seeds when it comes
to bracket time, and I'm concerned how the SEC tournament
rolls out and what that might do to Texas's chance
to get a one seed when it comes to tournament time,
especially when you consider that the only two losses that

(05:32):
Texas has currently on their plate is a loss of
Notre Dame early in the season, then that lost to
South Carolina playing South Carolina Super Bowl Sunday one PM.
So honestly, you might be able to catch both. I
would be if I was in town. That is what
my game plan would be. Watch two of the best
women's basketball programs in the country and then jet over

(05:55):
into a Super Bowl party, and then that following Sunday
again in Austin back to back weekends. LSU comes to
town with Kim Mulkey in company, and that's another program
that looks like they're trying to secure a number one
seed come bracket time. February, of course, is the month
that everything ramps up. It gets more and more serious. Uh,

(06:17):
you want to be playing your best basketball in the
month of February so that you can take that momentum
into March and into the set tournament time as well
as March Madness. We'll hear more from a coach, Vick
Schaeffer coming up after the break. But I also want
to talk about Victor webbin Yama. He is the youngest
Spur to go to an All Star Game. This is

(06:38):
what sounded like last night on TNT TNT one.

Speaker 4 (06:43):
This would be the last one, the last of sevens
picks by the coaches.

Speaker 5 (06:48):
Come on, man, come on, All Star Oh this is.

Speaker 6 (06:51):
Tough, This is tough, But I'm pulling for one guy
from the San Antonio Spurs, Victor Wembnyama.

Speaker 4 (06:59):
That's another first time All Star in his second seven
twenty four a night is number sixteen. Eleven rebounds is
number eight. He leads the league in blocks with four
a game, ten games of thirty plus three games of
forty had fifty against Washington. He was fourth by the players,
fourth by the fans, second by the media, and the

(07:21):
coaches have selected Vic.

Speaker 3 (07:23):
We'll deserved an NBA All Star.

Speaker 1 (07:27):
Yeah, Victor Wemenyama makes the All Star Game. A day ago,
he was talking about getting or not getting calls. He
was unhappy how he was being refereed across the NBA.
Felt like he should be getting some calls that he
wasn't getting. And I said then, and I'll say it again, now,
only all stars get those type of calls. It doesn't

(07:48):
matter that here's a generational talent, it doesn't matter that
he's going to be the next face of the NBA.
You have to make an All Star game before you
start getting some of those calls. And now he's an
All Star, so now he will start getting those calls.
You mark my word. He's not going to get pushed
around by Zubac or anybody else now that he is

(08:09):
an All Star. But what caught my attention to youngest
spur to make an All Star game. And the graphics
team almost caught me because I saw that graphic yesterday
and I didn't see Spur in front of it. I
was like, is Victor woman ya, I'm about twenty one
years old. That can't be true that he's a young
He's the youngest Spur to make an All Star Game.
Still though, considering that franchise and how many times that

(08:32):
they've sent him duncan Tony Parker manage nobly and then
even further back, David Robinson, how many times they sent
those guys to the Marquee mid season matchup. It is
saying something how well that this organization has been able
to continue to put players out. We are still on
Darren Fox watch in San Antonio, trying to see where

(08:56):
he goes. The Sacramento Kings, it's been reported, are taking
offers for their All Star point guard Daron Fox earlier
this week had his preferred destination leaked. Now Rich Paul
has not confirmed it to any sources yet, saying that yes,
San Antonio is the place that he wants his player

(09:17):
to go to. Rich Paul, being dearon Fox's agent, hasn't
said like this is exactly where I want to go.
He hasn't made a public spectacle a la Jammy Butler. However,
the tea leaves say that the Aaron Fox wants to
come to the Alamo City. So does the Alamo City
want the Aaron Fox? If the numbers are right, we

(09:38):
will see how that goes. Again, preferred destination to San Antonio.
But you gotta have the pieces that you want to
move off of. The money has to work, and then
you consider with the new CBA and the aprons and
all of the money and the taxes and luxury tax
the NBA has made it very difficult for NBA gms

(10:00):
understand their collective bargaining agreement, let alone the casual fans.
So if this happens, it's going to happen in probably
the next week as we get closer to the NBA
trade deadline on February sixth. If it doesn't happen, then
the Kings are going to be in a load of
trouble because they'll have an all star point guard who's
disgruntled throughout the rest of the season as the Kings

(10:21):
continue to try to fight their way into the playoffs.
All Right, when we come back, head coach of the
Texas women's basketball team. Vick Schaeffer spoke to the media
a little over an hour ago gave us some insight
on where this program is, coming off of a win
against Missouri last night and going in to a weekend
matchup against Texas A and m Arrival. All that coming

(10:42):
up with the Craigway Show. Andrew Zimmole filling it for
Craigway on Sports Radio AM thirteen hundred The Zone Andrew
Zimmle getting pumped up on a Friday with you. You
heard about the free iHeartRadio app. Make sure you download
it and you put or put Sports Radio AM thirteen
hundred Zone as a preset. In fact, Buddy down here
in San Antonio, Uh, he didn't have or he had

(11:05):
the iHeartRadio, did not know how to listen to the Zone.
I was able to set it up for him so
that now the Zone is on his preset. Yeah, so
he can listen to the Craigweight Show wherever he goes
and you can too. Make sure you put the Zone
as a preset. In fact, last note, make the Zone
kve FM and one O three one all presets on

(11:27):
your iHeartRadio so you can listen to Longhorn Sports wherever
you are, because that's where the game was last night,
that UT women's basketball win against Missouri seventy to sixty one.
They were able to climb back, crawl back against the
Tigers to win that one and then move on now
to Texas A and M Speaking up, head coach Vick

(11:47):
Shafer spoke to the media today went over a bunch.
We're gonna hear from him right now. Here's head coach
Vic Shafer's opening statement to the media.

Speaker 7 (11:58):
My opening thoughts, I'm tired and I haven't played a minute.
I our kids are, you know, I think with everything
that's happening right now within our program, with the sickness
and you know, just the effects of of our season

(12:20):
February first, just tomorrow, and I'm just really proud of
their grit. You know, a lot of toughness. Last night
not our best night. Give Missouri a ton of credit.
I say, this seems like a lot. Robin Pinston's a
heck of a coach. I've had to deal with her

(12:40):
and her teams a lot over the years, and.

Speaker 5 (12:44):
They're never an easy out. And uh it just you
know last night.

Speaker 7 (12:51):
You can try to convey that to your kids all
you want, but they experienced it and for half, you know,
it was it wasn't much fun. But I thought our
kids showed tremendous grit and toughness. You know, we got
through it, and it's another win in the sec and
we're gonna take those every day and twice on Sunday,

(13:12):
and so you know, you move on, but really really
proud of them.

Speaker 5 (13:18):
Last night. We came in this morning, had breakfast, watch film.
That was it. That's all we did.

Speaker 7 (13:24):
I'll bring them back this afternoon and we'll get some
things done and then I'm gonna let them get off
their feet. We got to practice here tomorrow before we
head over to College Station, and so, you know, it's
that time of year, and it's like I told them,
this is the time of year when teams do one

(13:46):
of two things.

Speaker 5 (13:48):
They either keep going they embraced the grind.

Speaker 7 (13:52):
Their truugh toughness and grit pay off and they keep
climbing the.

Speaker 5 (13:57):
Ladder, or some people just fall off.

Speaker 7 (14:02):
And you know, I think over the years, our teams
have typically stayed in the grind and embraced it and
and kept climbing the ladder. And so I'm I'm I'm
excited to see them this afternoon. They were really good
this morning, which I was proud of them, and I
just really, more than anything, wanted to get some good
food in them before they tackled the day and uh so.

Speaker 5 (14:26):
Got to get ready to go play.

Speaker 7 (14:28):
Obviously a really good A and M team there they
you know, Sunday, they're in a dogfight at LSU.

Speaker 5 (14:40):
Down to the bitter end.

Speaker 7 (14:42):
Did a great job, got really good players, obviously, got
a great coach and Joni. Uh and so we're gonna
have to, you know, go over there.

Speaker 5 (14:54):
And obviously it's a game that means a lot to
a lot.

Speaker 7 (14:57):
Of people, and I'm sure they'll a great crowd, probably
be Core Day or something like that, and so they'll
have they'll have a really good crowd, and and so
we're gonna have to go over there and play well.

Speaker 5 (15:09):
But I remember taking a team over there three years ago.

Speaker 7 (15:15):
And we went in there and played really well, really focused.
It was Rory's freshman year, I believe, and we went
over there and executed and played very well. So we're
gonna have to do that again again because we've got
to go over there. Got a great size, good guard
play they're just really, really good. They've had some great

(15:36):
wins over some top twenty fives this year, So it's
gonna be it's gonna be one that's got our full attention.

Speaker 5 (15:44):
I can promise you our kids are.

Speaker 7 (15:46):
They were laser focused in on it last night in
the locker room after the game. So and you know,
I don't know that we'll be any better off with
kids available, you know, on Sunday, if I had to
guess right now, we probably aren't.

Speaker 5 (15:58):
But hopefully that can change.

Speaker 1 (16:01):
Sports Radio AM thirteen hundred The Zone Andrew zim Will
filling in for Craig Way on a free for all Friday,
and we're listening to head coach Vick Schaefer. Now, it's
been an open secret that the flu has absolutely torn
apart Central Texas. This is not something new. You know
about it as well as I do. How deadly, how
tough this flu virus can be. And it took out

(16:24):
five players from last night's roster for the University of Texas.
How do you juggle limiting practice but also knowing you
got players coming off sickness, coach.

Speaker 7 (16:38):
Think you got to adjust, you know, And I think
that's what I'm doing. You know, last Friday, we basically
came in, watched film thirty minutes and went home. And
so that was after our Thursday night game with Tennessee,
and we had played on Monday Thursday and then had

(17:00):
to go to Ole, Miss on Sunday. So but again
I thought Sunday, our toughness really showed, you know, our perseverance,
our resilience was really on display and had a big
part in that win. But I do think it's a
it's a balancing act, you know, and I think you
have to take all that in consideration. And then I

(17:21):
listened to my kids, you know, I really do. I
listened to them. I talked to them, I ask them
how they're feeling, and so I try to be really,
really aware of everything. So it's a good point. It's
good question.

Speaker 5 (17:41):
And you know, I don't. I think it's just a
time where you have to be really, really smart.

Speaker 1 (17:48):
Sports Radio AM thirty under the Zone. All right, So
Mason Booker has had some very fast starts over the
past couple of weeks. Last night, she was held in
the first half, but it was able to bounce back
and help rally in that second half. Are you emphasizing
a faster start for Booker on or our teams just
scouting her harder just from the jump coach.

Speaker 7 (18:12):
Yeah, I think it's a little of both. And again
I think it's her. I think it's her being very
patient and kind of surveying the whole deal and trying
to get a feel for things. You know, I'm gonna
talk to her, you know, we're gonna we need her
to be a little more assertive.

Speaker 5 (18:31):
But at the same time, I just think that's her really,
you know, really kind.

Speaker 7 (18:38):
Of taking everything in and paying attention and and getting
a feel for what's available. And then you know, I
probably didn't need to be a little more uh demanding
and getting her to to try to maybe you know,
do a little more, and me getting her involved a
little more. You know, quite honestly, I can probably do

(18:59):
a little bit too. And so, you know, again I
think it's I think she's really been good about getting
a feel for what's out there, what's going on, how
people are trying to defend her. She's in the huddle
last night talking, you know, telling me what's going on,
telling me how they're doing things. And again, just having

(19:20):
that person in your huddle that can convey that to me,
whether it's her or Rory or anyone else.

Speaker 5 (19:31):
But just having that she's just so smart.

Speaker 7 (19:35):
The kid is just a you know, she's just really
really smart, and you know, to be able to tell
me that, tell our team that, really, you know, I
think that again, just says a lot about the kid.

Speaker 1 (19:49):
Sports Radio AM thirteen hundred The Zone. All right, So coach,
you're coming down the stretch. We're going in the month
of February. You're on a five game win streak. You're
taking on Rival Tech to C and M on Sunday
at five pm. This is cut number five. Do you
see your road to the SEC title? Are you even
thinking about that right now?

Speaker 7 (20:11):
I don't see any map but the one that goes
to College Station.

Speaker 5 (20:16):
That's that's the.

Speaker 7 (20:16):
Only map, and I'm real familiar with that road. So
that's the only thing I'm focused on. You know, again,
when you start looking at you know, when you're climbing
that mountain and you're halfway up and you start looking
at the top, that's when you miss a step and
you fall down, and then you got to start back

(20:36):
all over again.

Speaker 5 (20:38):
So I'm just focused on one day at a time.

Speaker 7 (20:40):
I'm trying to I'm agonizing this morning, sitting here trying
to figure out how what to do and how to
do it today with this team, knowing you know where
we are right now in the in the process of
having nine players, and hopefully I hadn't lost any more
between now this morning at eight am, when I are
eight forty, when I turn them loose to go to class,

(21:02):
and when I get them back at one thirty. But
I think it's it's kind of a fluid situation, and
so yeah, I'm just I'm really really intentional about the
next game.

Speaker 5 (21:15):
And that's it.

Speaker 1 (21:16):
We'll hear more from coach Schaeffer as the program continues.
Andrew Zimbil hanging out with you on a free for
all Friday when we return. It is inconceivable, not that
it's a Friday. No, it's an inconceivable Friday, that's right,
which means it's a Florida Man Friday. Yes, and do
we have some stories for you, including a fight in

(21:39):
the buffet line. Yeah, we got it all for you
over here. Craig Wait Show. Andrew zimble filling in for
Craig Way on Sports Radio AM thirteen hundred The Zone
Sports Radio AM thirteen hundred Zone Andrews, I will fill
you in for the voice of Longhorns Craig Way on
a free for all Friday edition of the show. I
want to thank you guys for hanging out as we

(21:59):
start our number two dose on the Craig Way Show.
A lot to get into, including set your watches. About
fifteen minutes from now, Craig will be joining the program
talking about his travels after yesterday's debacle, having to go
taking a hundred plus dollar Uber ride to Memphis, to

(22:20):
fly to Dallas, to fly to Austin to call the
game where Texas women won big. They were able to
claw back and beat Missouri seventy to sixty one. In
that game, Taylor Jones was your leader in the clubhouse.
Really performed well seventeen points six rebounds of the win.

(22:40):
The women's team travels to College Station to take on
A and M on Sunday. Also keeping an eye out
on news out of San Antonio, as according to Don Harris,
it looks like a four team trade is in the works.
He said, stay tuned, so we are keeping an eye
on that one. As de Aaron Fox his preferred destination

(23:04):
to San Antonio. You gotta remember too, Jimmy Butler not
happy in Miami. I have to think that there has
to be another player in that move, a big name
guy to try to make all this money work and
massage it out the Phoenix Suns with Bradley Beale even
with the no trade clause, So a lot of moving parts.
We will see if it ends with San Antonio adding

(23:25):
an All Star to put next to their newest All Star,
Victor Wimbinyama, who gets his first All Star appearance as
a reserve. Voted on by the coaches last night on TNT.
They made the announcement and he look I have been
saying from day one, this is a generational talent point
plank period. He is the next face of the NBA

(23:49):
and Spurs fans. He is going to be an NBA
champion in the Alamo City. Never forget, I'm not wrong,
I'm just early. I'm calling it today. Let's hear from
Vic Schaeffer though, because the UT women's basketball coach had
media availability today and spoke at length about a number
of things with the program, but two things really stood

(24:11):
out to me. Talking about his time at Sam Houston
State and what it took to kind of build that
program up and the expectations right. So the question was
do you ever stop and talk about what you need
to do when it comes to the NCAA tournament and
kind of those like next steps. And he spoke about

(24:31):
sam Houston State, where he was an assistant coach at
one time, and about how they were trying to build
a program there. So let's hear this is his story
talking about sam Houston State.

Speaker 7 (24:44):
You know, after we bake Maryland, I told him, hey,
that's a win that's going to really help you when
it comes in, say a tournament time. It'll help you
with with how they view us and seating and things
like that. I mean, our non conference record.

Speaker 5 (24:57):
Not to mention our net all that is really good.

Speaker 7 (25:01):
Those kids, you know, embraced the grind and embrace being
on the road.

Speaker 5 (25:06):
You know, I told them how proud I was of
them and and and all that.

Speaker 7 (25:09):
But you know, when when I was building a program
at State, you know, I remember that second year we
only had fourteen teams in the league, and I put the.

Speaker 5 (25:21):
Top seven on one side and.

Speaker 7 (25:23):
The next seven on the other side, and I said, hey,
I want to finish number one on this side, and
let's see how many we can get on this side.
And so when you're building a prey gives those kids
something to shoot for, you know, because we were building
a program, I mean, we were trying to build a

(25:45):
way of life, a way of doing things, and so
it gave them an idea. Okay, these seven over here,
we want to go six and oh or seven and
oh and these over here now we need to do
the best we can over here. But this group right here,
we got to catch discreup before we can catch discroup.

Speaker 5 (26:03):
That makes sense.

Speaker 7 (26:04):
That's not where we are now here at Texas. So
I don't really get ahead of myself. I don't really
talk about my kids are really smart.

Speaker 5 (26:13):
I think that was again.

Speaker 7 (26:15):
You can tell them how good you think somebody is,
or how good some coach is, or all that.

Speaker 5 (26:21):
They're going to make up their own mind based off
of what.

Speaker 7 (26:26):
They'll make up their own mind about how good they
think somebody is based off of record or who they
know on the team or all that. So I just
try to put my head down, man, head down, rear
end up, plow ahead. That's just the only way I
know how to do it.

Speaker 1 (26:44):
Sports Radio AM thirteen hundred. The zone that is head
coach of the Texas Longhorns Vick Schaeffer after a win
on a Thursday night against Missouri, a game where the
Longhorns had to battle back trailed for most of the
first time, actually all the first half. Took the third
quarter for them to finally take the lead and then

(27:05):
not look back. He also spoke about Sydney Carter, who
is an assistant coach and is the director of player
Personnel for the University of Texas. Now, if that name
sounds familiar, well it should. Carter was a standout player
at Texas A and M from twenty eight to twenty
twelve under Schaeffer. During her time in Aggie Land, she

(27:26):
helped her team win the twenty eleven national championship in
the twenty ten Big Twelve Tournament. As a player, she's
a three time captain defensive anchor of A and M,
earned a spot on the Big twelve All Defensive Team
in eleven and twelve, and additionally she took home missed
defense three times. She selected twenty seventh overall in the WNBA,

(27:49):
and Shaffer goes on and talks about her impact on
this team and her availability around this program.

Speaker 7 (27:58):
It's the interestingt credibility, she's wanted at the highest level,
She's played at the highest level. You know, I have
to get on her sometimes because I want more, you know,
I just think she has so much to offer, and
you know when her when her voice is raised in practice.

Speaker 1 (28:18):
They listen sports Radio AM thirteen hundred The Zone Andrew
Zimmle filling in for Craig Way on a Friday. Now,
this Texas women's basketball team, they have their work cut
out for them this weekend. Sunday they travel down to
College Station to take on Texas A and M in
the Lone Star Showdown. That dam tips off at five pm.

(28:42):
And then a game on Super Bowl Sunday against South Carolina,
then a game against Kentucky at a game against LSU,
And it doesn't get easier for Schaeffer and company. So
the question then becomes, when you look at Texas A
and M, when you look look at this team, what

(29:02):
challenges do they present? This is kind number seven.

Speaker 7 (29:07):
Yeah, I mean they got good players, you know, Lauren
being one of them. You know, I really hate it,
uh for Koolabali and so last year and and it's
just a terrible, terrible thing for her and the team.

Speaker 5 (29:24):
But I still look at their roster. I watched their
game last night.

Speaker 7 (29:27):
I've watched the L s U game and and some others,
like they got really good personnel and and uh so
their athleticism, you know, ah Malone's much improved to me.
She is physical, you know, and and obviously we've we've

(29:47):
got some good.

Speaker 5 (29:48):
Bigs down there to go with that.

Speaker 7 (29:50):
So you know, they've got size, They've got several big,
big kids and in long.

Speaker 5 (29:56):
And length, and so you know that concerns me there, their.

Speaker 7 (30:00):
Ability to out on the perimeter with those guards.

Speaker 5 (30:04):
There's a lot about that team that concerns me.

Speaker 7 (30:07):
So you know we're gonna have to again well there,
it's a home game for them. They've obviously played well
and at home beating you know, I had a good
run there with Georgia and Kentucky again, Kentucky being a
top fifteen team when they beat them. So our kids
are fully aware of how good A and M is
and how good we're gonna have to play.

Speaker 1 (30:27):
On Sunday Sports Radio AM thirteen hundred The Zone, Andrews
Zimmel hanging out with you on a free for all Friday,
we listened to head coach and Vick Schaeffer talk about
his team as a gear up for a big game
this Sunday against Texas A and M. Now, the relationship
be between coaches in college basketball, especially women's hoops, is

(30:51):
a very unique and interesting one because you have situations
like the one we have this weekend with Johnny Taylor,
who has had Longhorn players on her US national team.

Speaker 7 (31:02):
Uh.

Speaker 1 (31:03):
And you have a very respectful rivalry in the state,
especially in the conference between Texas and M and Texas, Uh,
what does the rival what is your rivalry? Which coach
with coach Taylor looked like.

Speaker 7 (31:20):
Yeah, I think Jony and I have a have a
good relationship.

Speaker 5 (31:24):
You know, we had one when she was at Georgia.

Speaker 7 (31:28):
You know, I think there's a lot of mutual respect
and admiration, and certainly is from my end. You know,
we we uh, we we visited on the on the
phone this year about certain things. We've we see each
other on the road. So I have a lot of
respect and admiration for her. And and again it's it's uh,

(31:50):
you know, I think we both understand you know, where
we are who were coaching and and in this particular game,
you know the meaning.

Speaker 5 (32:00):
So I certainly. Do you know.

Speaker 7 (32:03):
I've been on both sides of it, and there's no
question I have a complete understanding of it.

Speaker 1 (32:09):
We'll hear more from Coach Schaeffer as the program continues
on The Craigways Show. All start game happening in a
few weeks for the NBA and the final announcement for
the reserves. We're given last night on NBA on TNT
Victor Woman Yama one of the first time All Stars,
along with a couple of other first time All Stars.

(32:29):
But there's only so many spots on the team, which
means somebody gets left out. I'm looking at you, Trey Young.
We'll hear more about that coming up later in the show,
but first it's Craig Way joining us from an undisclosed location.
We'll find out where Craig is. We will also find
out what last night's game told him about this women's

(32:51):
basketball team and what tomorrow's game against LSU could mean
for the men's team. All that Coming off of The
Craigway Show, andrews I will fill in for Craig on
Sports Radio AM thirteen hundred of The Zone. Andrew Zimbol
filling in for Craig Way maybe a one day future
Texas Radio Hall of Famer. His name's on the program.
He is in an airport, I imagine, Craig, how is

(33:14):
that travel today, my.

Speaker 8 (33:15):
Friend, Well, it's in process and in progress. I'm actually
at THEFB airport in between the connecting flights from Austin
on my way to Baton Rouge. So in order to
go east, you gotta go north. So we start off
buying going north and up to the FW and now

(33:38):
preparing to go east. Well, once I get out on
the plane at THEFWL southeast, that sort of thing all good.

Speaker 1 (33:46):
So let's talk about the game last night. You did
an incredible job on the call, but you always do.
Seventy sixty one win for the Texas women's basketball team,
and my question to you is what does the major
takeaway from that win?

Speaker 8 (34:00):
Believe that Dick Schaeffer's right when he says he's coaching
against ghosts, and we talked about it in the pre
game as well. In other words, a team that went
in at twelve and ten only one went in conference
play is still dangerous. And they've been dangerous. And some games,
even though they only won one and they pushed Texas,
they were as many as nine in the first half.

(34:20):
They led by two and a half after long warts
finished the first half of a twelve to three run,
but then they fell behind again out of the gate,
and the second half. They trailed by seven at one
point in the second half, then finally bought their way
back in finally got the lead on the Madison Booker three,
and then after that then Texas started to kick it
in the high gear, but Missouri wouldn't go away. They

(34:42):
hung around and made it a contest all the way
down to the last couple of minutes of the game,
I say, their last two and a half minutes, and
then Texas is able to push them away. But the
final margin of nine points was their largest lead of
the ball game, and they didn't have the leaders I
mean until midway through the first So you know that
old thing we've heard. I first started hearing it, I
think from Mac Brown, and then we've heard it from

(35:03):
coaches in every sport of Texas. That's they're going to
get the opponent's best shot. And they certainly got a
really good shot and a good test from Missouri last
night before the women pulled away to win by nine.

Speaker 1 (35:13):
Do you think that there's anything that other teams are
going to take away. I know South Carolina knocked Texas
off once already this season. LSU's coming up on the schedule.
Do you think that there's something that Missouri did well
that other teams are going to try to copy? Well?

Speaker 8 (35:30):
I think always any time a good team gets in
a fight with another team and really get pushed, future
opponents will always look to see if there's something, if
there's some sort of a blueprint they can follow for that.
And probably the one thing I think that opponents might
take away, but this is nothing new, really, is that
if you can get driple penetration into the paint and

(35:52):
knock down some mid range jumpers, you're really going to
put yourself in good position to win the basketball game.
Missouri shot sixty four percent in the first quarter and
I think over fifty percent after the half. They hit
a lot of mid range jumpers and a few threes,
and if you can do.

Speaker 5 (36:07):
That, you have a chance.

Speaker 8 (36:08):
The obstacle there is Texas does such a good job,
you know, defending on the perimeter and forcing turnovers and
backward and they did a much better job of that
in the second half, and then the long words obviously
use their length and their size inside to be able
to have an opportunity to dominate the glass, and that
those are the big challenges that upcoming opponents lab other

(36:30):
than I would say South Carolina and LSU because they
both have lank, they both have sized. South Carolina already
proved that in the first game in Texas. I think
also made some making characteristic mistakes in that first game
that I don't think they'll repeat, you know, in front
of the friendly home crowd instead of the hostel seventeen
thousand they saw in Columbia three weeks ago.

Speaker 1 (36:50):
Well, the other thing too is that I guess we
have to get the Germannacs in the wash your hands
because the flu did more I think the hindered Texas
than maybe that Missouri defense.

Speaker 8 (37:00):
Well, it was sweeping through the team, for sure. They
had the flute bud going through them, and it mainly
I think affected Justice Carlton and a couple of the
players you know, and a little bit to Leah Moore.
But her main issue has been the tendonitis and the knee.
She was not going to be available regardless last night,

(37:20):
so they were all fighting through that hopefully. Uh, they
won't have that'll bit clear of it when they go
to College Station on Sunday to take on Texas A
and M.

Speaker 1 (37:29):
All right, let's talk about your game you have tomorrow,
Craig Lsu Texas. It's gonna be a big matchup, I
think for the Longhorns. This men's team comes off a
loss earlier this week. Trey Johnson's been great. What do
we think about about this game coming into it?

Speaker 8 (37:47):
Well, Rodney Terry likes to say about he wants his
team to be an everyday kind of basketball team, and
I've tried to get him to define that in greater detail,
and what it means is it really just means, you know,
more consistent play, both in how they run their offense
and also what they're doing and defending. And he really
wants them, as he says, to sit down and defend.

(38:08):
And in the games they won this year in conference play,
that's exactly what they've done. And they did it in
the second half of the game last Saturday against Texas
A and M. Once they got down twenty two points,
they rebounded the basketball much better. You know. It was
it was encouraging that Arthur Klumba was able to play
thirty two minutes in the game coming off the knee injury,

(38:29):
and hopefully that knee responds well and he's able to
go because they're going to need it to rebound against
LSU for sure.

Speaker 1 (38:35):
Well, I was going to say too, LSU is coming
off three straight losses to top ranked teams Texas A
and m Alabama.

Speaker 3 (38:41):
Auburn.

Speaker 1 (38:41):
You do not want to get the wrath of the
Tiger on Saturday.

Speaker 8 (38:45):
Well, this is another one of those teams that is
better than the record indicates. It's another one of those
teams that could be dangerous. You know, they were way
down Auburn and then they came back to be a
game against the Tigers late before succumbing to obviously the
number one team in the country. In all so, they
are dangerous. They have some guys who can shoot the basketball,

(39:06):
and I think Texas needs to have a good shooting game,
but most important, keep the defensive clamps on LSU to
have a good shot to win this game.

Speaker 1 (39:14):
Now, what do you think about when we talk about
the march maddness aspect of this whole thing, Because I
have stayed by my take that the regular season is important.
You want to get those big wins, but when it
comes to the SEC tournament play, that to me is
the most important thing for this team.

Speaker 8 (39:29):
Well, they've got a stack wins I think in the
regular season for sure, they have to do that. Andrew,
and you know, there's a lot of debate as to
how many wins in conference play can land you an
at large bit in the NCAA tournament if you don't
win the conference tournament, And a lot of the prevailing
wisdom seems to be if you can win even a

(39:52):
few of seven games in this league, the number one
conference in the country, if you can do that, then
you're probably going to get in eight wins for sure.
An eight and t conference mark we do it at
seven to eleven in the toughest conference in the country,
gives you a good opportunity. If you do that, then
maybe you don't have to win two or three games
in the conference turnat because remember, unless you finish in

(40:12):
the top eight, you're gonna be playing. You're gonna have
to win at least four games to win the tournament,
and if you don't finish in the top twelve, then
you're gonna have to wind up playing as many at
winning as many as five games to win the tournament.
That's a tough ask to do it. So you want
to stack as many as wins as you can in
conference play.

Speaker 1 (40:31):
All right, let's talk about Cam Carter, the senior four LSU.
We joked earlier this week, I said every college basketball
team has just a Smorgasborg. It's like, okay, well we
have a young star and then we also have a
couple of transfer portal guys. What can you tell me
about Cam Carter Craig.

Speaker 8 (40:45):
Well, you know, like a lot of the players in
the SEC, a lot of these guys are really good
if you give them too much space, give them an
opportunity to create their shot, and then let them be
muscular as well as a good way to put it
around the rim as well. And Carter's one of those guys,
just like other teams are finding out about Trey Johnson.

(41:07):
Give him enough space and he can do damage to you.
So the long wards will have to dilate on him
for sure, and not let him get going. That's the
thing about you know, a lot of these really good
players is young players. They get going, then they're hard
to stop.

Speaker 1 (41:22):
Yeah, it's like an avalanche man. The butt of the
baskets keep coming and coming and coming. Is Craig Way
his names on the program. He is traveling tomorrow he
has the game of the weekend Texas and LSU. Creigor
Am I missing anything for you?

Speaker 8 (41:38):
I think that's got it now it's on the catch
a plane.

Speaker 1 (41:41):
Catch that playing, Craig, catch that playing. Thanks so much, Ben,
you bet Andrew, take care, thanks, take care all right.
Craig Way Red coming up tomorrow, Big game Texas and LSU.
You can hear that game of the Texas Radio Network
as well as right here on the Zone Cavid FM
in one O three one as well. But when we

(42:01):
come back, all star snubs, somebody's got to be it.
We'll tell you who they were. Next The Craig Way Show.
Andrew zim Will filling in for Craig on Sports Radio
AM thirteen hundred The Zone. Andrews Zimbil filling in for
Craig Way on a free for all Friday edition of
the program. Hope you guys are having a good one
as we continue to our work our way towards the weekend.

(42:24):
Big weekend too for UT basketball Texas takes on LSU tomorrow.
That game at five pm. You can hear it here
on the radio the LongRun Radio Network. You also can
hear ut women's basketball versus Texas A and M. That
game will be on one O three one as well,
I believe. So let's talk about the All Star Game.

(42:48):
Do you care about it? There's a new format. Adam
Silver is trying to do everything in his power to
make you care about it, including splitting up the teams.
What we're gonna do is, I think we're having a
four team, four separate teams, and then those two teams
will play two teams and then we'll have a final game.

(43:09):
The point is, we had our final selection for All
Stars yesterday on NBON TNT. Now there was a bunch
of guys, first time All Stars, other players. Let's go
through the West. It's gonna be Curry, Shake Gilders, Alexander Lebron, James,
Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic and then Anthony Edwards got announced yesterday.

(43:33):
James Harden got announced yesterday, Anthony Davis got announced yesterday.
Jalen Jackson Junior got announced yesterday. Sagoon from the Rockets
was announced, Geleen Williams from the Thunder Okay, and let's
hear the lone representative from the Alamo City.

Speaker 4 (43:51):
This would be the last one, the last seven picks
by the coaches.

Speaker 3 (43:56):
Come on, man, come on, all Star. Oh this is tough.

Speaker 6 (43:59):
This is tough, but I'm pulling for one guy.

Speaker 4 (44:03):
From the San Antonio Spurs, Victor Webben Yama, another first
time All Star in his second seven twenty four a
night is number sixteen, eleven rebounds is number eight. He
leads the league and blocks with four a game, ten
games of thirty plus three games of forty.

Speaker 3 (44:21):
Had fifty against Washington.

Speaker 4 (44:24):
He was fourth by the players, fourth by the fans,
second by the media, and the coaches have selected Vic
We'll deserved an NBA All Star.

Speaker 1 (44:35):
And that is correct. Victyaw women Yama an All Star
for the first time. Congratulations to him. Now let's go
down the Eastern Conference. Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, Jason Tatum,
Karl Anthony Towns, Giannis was named and then the ones
named yesterday was Darius Garland from the Cavs. Kate Cunningham

(44:57):
his first time an All Star for the Pistons, Jalen
Round the Finals, MVP, Pascal Siakam, Evan Mobley his first
All Star appearance as well as Damian Lillard and Tyler Hero.
A player not announced, however, was Tray Young. Yes, Trey
Young from the Atlanta Hawks not named an All Star.

(45:20):
People were very upset. Let's hear from the TNT crew
about Young getting snubbed.

Speaker 6 (45:28):
I'm a little surprised on the Trey Young thing.

Speaker 3 (45:31):
Uh so am I? Yeah, that's right, that's.

Speaker 6 (45:35):
I'm a little surprised on that, But I'm not trying
to like, First of all, everybody deserves to make it.
But I'm a little shocked Trey Young didn't make the dog
because he's played. He's played probably in my opinion, his best.

Speaker 4 (45:48):
Year twenty three and eleven leaves the league and assists well,
you should stop passing now.

Speaker 3 (45:53):
But he.

Speaker 8 (45:55):
So.

Speaker 1 (45:56):
It would be one thing if Trey Young was on
a team was struggling like the Atlanta Hawks. They're trying
to find their nine seed right now. They're trying to
find their way back in the winning way or winning column.
They lose a very important piece as well. We'll tell
you that about that in a second. But Young, he
currently leads the NBA and assists per game and eleven

(46:17):
and a half. He's got great efficiency from the field,
his team ninth in the East. He's once again left
off the All Star roster, and again people are not
happy about that. Tray Young went online tweeted about it.

Speaker 4 (46:33):
Can I throw another name out there that I'm surprised
that we didn't hear Demona Sabonis.

Speaker 6 (46:39):
Oh yeah, yeah, so you know, I think they started
so slower.

Speaker 3 (46:42):
I mean that might have hurt his chances, but.

Speaker 4 (46:46):
He's been he's I mean, look twenty one and for
he leads the league in rebounding, He's second in three
point percentage. He leads the league in double doubles with
forty two. He said, double doubles in forty two out
of the forty four games in a long star right.

Speaker 1 (47:00):
Yeah, that's the bonus for you. He played forty four
games this season, recorded a double double and forty two
of them, so all but two games. His third straight
year leading the NBA in rebounding. The Kings did take
a step back, and you know, dearon Fox and exactly thrilled. Now,
another name that got left off was LaMelo Ball, who
led the way in fan voting. I'll never understand that

(47:24):
that's one of those get off my lawn takes that
I have. I guess I'm just aging out of the
NBA All Star voting demographic. I've watched LaMelo ball play.
He's an exciting player. He's not a winning player. He's
averaging twenty eight to five and seven this season on
a Hornets team that's going to be in the lottery again.
But look, the kids love him because he was the

(47:44):
number one fan voted player. Norman Powell in his first season,
starting after the removal of After Paul George has left
to go to the seventy six ers, Norman Powell takes
a step up, averages twenty four, three and two, and
this is again his first year as a regular starter.
Clippers are pretty good, even without Paul George and Kawhi

(48:05):
missing a bunch of time. Norman pals somebody. People have
talked about it, and of course Devin Booker. The Suns
are a complete mess, but Booker has played really well
twenty five and a half points, four rebounds, seven assists.
The deal, though, is this, and I've said this for
a while, is it every year we do this? Every
single season. We have the All Star Game announcement, we

(48:28):
go through the parade, we go through the flowers and
the confetti, and we say congratulations all these guys for
making an exhibition game that, let's be honest, nobody really
tries for. And I haven't seen an All Star game
that was hyper competitive since Kobe Bryant retired. The last
one was in Toronto when Kobe was pushing all those

(48:51):
guys to really try to like win the game. I
was in twenty sixteen. So we've almost had a decade
of un character or now characteristically uneventful, unenthused games in
the NBA. But it's an NBA All Star roster and
you can't have everybody on it, because at what point

(49:14):
do we just keep letting guys on, letting guys on,
And then all of a sudden we're complaining about who
getting left off. We're upset that Zach Levine for the
Chicago Bulls didn't have an All Star spot. We're upset
that Jalen Johnson, that's the player who the Atlanta Hawks
will be missing for the rest of the season after
a shoulder injury. Are we upset that he won't make
an All Star Game roster? We start going to the

(49:36):
bottom of the barrel, We start losing kind of the
thread of this whole thing about caring about who makes
the team and who does it these roster spots, Even
for a game that is meaningless, even for a game
that hasn't been very competitive, being an All Star still
means something, if not to the check books of these owners.

(49:59):
And here's what I mean by that. When you take
into account the contracts that some of these players get,
their incentive based a lot of time. To get the Supermax,
you have to hit certain thresholds. You have to be
all NBA, have to win an MVP, Defensive Player of
the Year, go to a finals, win a finals. There's
incentives in these contracts. All Star game incentives exist in

(50:19):
most of the NBA's star contracts. If we're giving out
the roster spots to everybody, if we're expanding the rosters
to forty a piece for the East and the West,
it doesn't really matter anymore. And it starts turning into
what the Pro Bowl has turned into. Did you know
the Pro Bowl had events last night? On Thursday night?

(50:41):
ESPM was trying to get me excited for it. I
don't watch a second. I saw the highlights this morning
of Sam Darnold throwing dots all over the field in
one of the little challenges wondering where was this in
the playoffs? Sam, But the Pro Bowl turned into the
most uncompetitive, unwatchable event in sports. But football is different

(51:04):
because it's a sport that might kill you if you
don't tackle somebody the right way. It's a violent sport.
And for guys who are just playing an exhibition game,
it doesn't make sense to play a violent sport. Basketball
is something that will you pick up and you play
in the backyard, you play it against your five year old. Okay,
it doesn't need to be what it has turned into,

(51:25):
which is guys going up and down the court, lollygagging,
throwing alle loops, half court shots. It's fun for a
little bit, but can I get a little competitiveness. I
really do want to care about the All Star Game,
I really do. But when the number one storyline will
be that Caitlin Clark turned down your invitation to shoot

(51:46):
three pointers, and your second storyline will be that Trey
Young got quote snubbed from the All Star Game, your
All Star Game stinks. That's the problem at this point
for the NBA. You got to find a way to
make this more competitive, and it doesn't have to come.
I'm paying the guys more money. It doesn't have to
be that way. Adam Silver could tell these guys, you're
making our product look bad here, guys, being as uncompetitive

(52:09):
as this game is, why don't we just cancel it
instead of having you guys go up and down the
court doing whatever you want to do. All right, that's enough.
When we come back, arch Manning opens up as the
Heisman favorite this season to go into twenty twenty five.
I'm going to explain why that should excite you as
a Texas fan, and you shouldn't pay attention to it

(52:30):
if you're a gambler. Next Under The Craig Way Show,
Andrew Zimbol fillion for Craig on Sports Radio AM thirteen
hundred The Zone. Andrew Zimbol filling in for Craig Way
on a free for all Friday. That is right. Got
a lot going on in hour number three of the program,
including Lea Van from The Chronicle coming on to the

(52:50):
Koran out of Houston to talk to us about baseball
pictures and catchers getting close to report Alex Fregman could
he be leaving each town? Also her thoughts on the
Dodgers deferring more money than God. Yeah, if the Yankees
can't keep up with you, I don't know what is
going to happen to that sport. Also, Vic Shaeffer, the

(53:13):
head coach of Texas women's basketball, speaks after a win yesterday,
a seventy sixty one win over Missouri. Head coach Schaeffer
gives us an idea of what's going around or going
through his mind as we get into the final or
I should say the final month of regular season in
February and a game on Sunday against Texas A and

(53:35):
M as well as let's start here, let's talk about
the UT women's basketball team. A win yesterday against Missouri.
Seventy sixty one was the final score, and it wasn't
easy to get it done. It came down to a
good stretch in the second half for the Texas women's team.

(53:59):
This is a team that had a lot going on.
It was a tough time. They've had a lot going
on when it comes to the injury and sickness bug.
So Texas started the game, forcing two Missouri turnovers in
the opening two minutes. Then Taylor Jones connected with a
pair of free throws to finish trailing by seven after

(54:21):
one quarter, twenty to thirteen, and they scored nine points
in the first Jones opened the second quarter of the
layup with a three pointer from Lee. Texas went on
a ten oh run to finish the half trailing by two,
thirty five to thirty three. This is when things get exciting.
The long Horns came back in the to start the
half with seven points, and this big shot from Booker

(54:45):
was a shot to take the lead. This is way one.

Speaker 2 (54:49):
Harman got a bath drives had underneath, it goes out.
The Booker fires up a three. There you go, knocks
it down. The lowboards out their first thirty eight thirty.

Speaker 1 (55:02):
Five, and you can hear Craig wait to call on
one of three to one yesterday take the lead in
the third quarter, forced three straight turnovers. Hell Missouri to
over a two minute scoring drought into the third leading
fifty two to forty five, but grew up in the
final quarter with a jumper to lead sixty two to

(55:22):
fifty seven. Shea Holly drained to three to go up eight,
and then the rest is history. Texas moves on now
to take on Texas A and M in College Station
on Sunday five pm. Tip The long Horns approved to
twenty one to two on the season, seven to one
in SEC play. They've only lost to South Carolina and
they have a rematch against the game Cocks later in February.

(55:45):
Super Bowl Sunday. Mark your calendars. Long Horns have won
their fifth straight. They're eleven to zero in the Movie
Center this season and fifty or forty three and five
in their home arena. This is the fifth straight game
for Taylor Jones to have a double figures in her
fifteenth game of the season, and Madison Booker reached double
digits for the seventeenth time this season, which is where

(56:05):
we're going to pivot and talk about Madison Booker. So
she was on a Good Game with Sarah Spain podcast
with her head coach Vick Schaeffer earlier this week. Now
you've probably heard the promos for Sarah Spain's podcast, the
former ESPN R coming to iHeart to do a women's
sports podcast, and if you haven't checked it out, it's

(56:27):
on the free iHeartRadio app. Then you would improved. Make
sure you use a preset set the zone as one
of your presets so you can follow ut athletics throughout
the season. But the podcast is over there. Check it out.
This is the clip talking to Madison Booker and Vic
Schaeffer about Booker deciding to join the Texas Longhorns.

Speaker 9 (56:48):
What was it about coach that made you know you
wanted to play for him wherever he was?

Speaker 10 (56:52):
He knows how to win, he knows how to win.
He's passionate. I guess say it is a lie.

Speaker 1 (56:57):
He's a great guy.

Speaker 5 (56:57):
Man, He's a great guy.

Speaker 10 (56:59):
But yeah, just watching him, just players he had in
the past and how he developed them players, and I mean,
I just love watching him win and be staying And
I thought, you know, I could, you know, win a
lot of games.

Speaker 1 (57:10):
Under him too, So I mean, why not. So I'm
gonna take loon Horn now.

Speaker 5 (57:16):
Yeah, Coach, that's gotta feel really good. Huh oh man,
it's uh.

Speaker 1 (57:21):
You're grinning over there.

Speaker 7 (57:22):
I am, you know, But again, it's it's, you know,
the confidence that I have in her, Probably as confident
as any kid I've ever had. But it's because I
see the work that she puts in. And when nobody's around,
you know, my office is here, I overlooked the practice gym.

(57:44):
She's in the gym a lot with Shaeffer, Junior, our assistant.

Speaker 5 (57:51):
But I mean, I told her the other.

Speaker 7 (57:53):
Night, I don't care if she's made five in a
row or missed five in a row. I'm coming to
her one hundred out of a hundred times. And again
just knowing, knowing that she's invested in the time that
she spent, the confidence that I have in her, and
then you see.

Speaker 5 (58:14):
She's a great kid. Like she's she's such a great kid.

Speaker 7 (58:19):
Parents, wonderful parents have done a great job with her,
great family. You know, when you go in there and
recruit her, you're not only doing you know, having to
talk to mom and dad. You got Auntie in there,
you got Granny in there. I mean, and you know,
for me, man, I don't want to let any of
those people down. But just knowing and now that we've

(58:43):
been together the time that we have, she's still got
you know, knowing, she's going to be that much better
and she's going to get there because of her work.

Speaker 1 (58:53):
Ethic Sports Radio AM thirteen hundred The Zone that was
from the Good Game podcast with Sarah Spain, the Madison
Booker and head coach Vick Schaefer. You can listen to
that podcast on the Free iHeartRadio app. We'll hear more
from head coach Vick Schaeffer later in the hour, But
let's talk NBA All Stars because the San Antonio Spurs

(59:14):
have one. This is what it sounded last night on
the NBA on TNT.

Speaker 4 (59:24):
This would be the last one, the last of seven
picks by the coaches.

Speaker 6 (59:29):
Come on, man, come on, all Star. Oh this is tough,
This is tough, but I'm pulling.

Speaker 4 (59:33):
For one guy from the San Antonio Spurs, Victor wembn Yama,
another first time All Star in his second semasion. Twenty
four a night is number sixteen, eleven rebounds is number eight.
He leads the league in blocks with four a game,
ten games of thirty plus three games of forty had

(59:55):
fifty against Washington. He was fourth by the players, fourth
by the fans, second by the media, and the coaches
have selected Vic.

Speaker 3 (01:00:04):
We'll deserve an NBA All start.

Speaker 1 (01:00:08):
So of the NBA All Stars, the one that caught
the most attention for not making the team was Trey Young.
Trey Young averaging twenty two and a half three rebounds
and a season high a player high eleven and a
half assist. So he misses the All Star Game fourth

(01:00:28):
time in his seventh year a seven year career. So far,
the Atlanta Hawks twenty two to twenty five, ninth in
the East Side. Note huge for the Spurs have Wimby
named as an NBA All Star. Also, Spurs fans have
been keeping a very very close eye on the Atlanta
Hawks as they hold their unprotected first round pick. So

(01:00:52):
I imagine that Spurs fans were like, well, Trey Young did
make the All Star Game, They're out an impactful player
in Jalen Johnson. Hmm. This could be a very interesting
last couple of months of the NBA regular season, and
depending on where the Hawks end up, Spurs might end
up with a pretty high lottery pick as well. But
Shaquille O'Neal had thoughts. He was asked the question, should

(01:01:15):
Trey Young be disappointed in not making the NBA All
Star Game?

Speaker 3 (01:01:22):
Should Trey be disappointed?

Speaker 11 (01:01:24):
He should be mad, He should be upset because he
said it like I was supposed to be said, twenty
four best players in the league, and he is one
of the twenty four best players in the league. I
think the system is flawed, Like we need a letter
of the law definition of what an All Star was
supposed to be.

Speaker 1 (01:01:42):
What's how that you.

Speaker 11 (01:01:43):
Tell me a guy that can flat out play put
up points, you know, winning or losing it. They're not
winning there and nice and if you know, we don't
playoffs starts today they would be in a play and
so that's not really losing. So but yeah, when when
you talk about the twenty four best players in league,
it's a guy that you know can put up serious
numbers and the guy I can play.

Speaker 1 (01:02:01):
So first off, hilarious. There needs to be a letter
of the law. There needs to be a line in
the stand. There needs to be a standard for NBA
All Star. Okay, well what is the line? What does
it matter? Well, it's just somebody that can play. It's like, okay,
cool co cool, so kind of up for interpretation like
being an All Star. So the way I look at
it as is this, the Atlanta Hawks aren't winning enough games,

(01:02:25):
and Trey Young, while being a very impressive scorer and
doing a very good job of turn or assisting the team,
isn't winning. And when you think about all of the
great players on bad teams who have for years, we're
talking decades of NBA history, haven't made All Star Games
because their team wasn't winning. Yeah, that's kind of an

(01:02:46):
important part. Winning the game is the most important part.
The other part I have said is that if everybody
gets in, it's no longer an All Star game. It's
just a it's an exhibition, so everybody can join up.
And maybe that's what they do. Maybe that's what the
NBA does. As the NBA All Star Game continues to

(01:03:08):
get worse and worse ratings as fewer and fewer people
want to sit and watch guys run up and down
the court, throwing up half court shots and alley oops
and playing a zero defense or less defense than they
might on a normal Saturday night game. When we get
to this point where they just want to invite everybody,
just do that. Have a free for all at an

(01:03:30):
open park, or have a free for all wherever they
want to have the All Star Game, preferably in a
warmer destination. I know they had it in Milwaukee a
couple of years ago, and I had some friends who
went there. They were not thrilled, how cold it was.
Just have a free for all, let them all show up.
Whoever wants to play play. We picked teams and we
just run open court. I mean that, honestly, probably would

(01:03:51):
be more competitive. I would argue that the open court
runs between NBA players and college players and AAU players
are more competitive during the summer months. Then the NBA
All Star Game is in the middle of the middle
of the season. Another player left off Sabonis forty four
games this season, forty two of them with a double double.

(01:04:12):
The Kings cannot catch a break the Aaron Fox. The
trade is still very much up in the air. We
will see how that ends up. According to Spurs reporters,
we are on the cusp of a fourteen deal between
the Spurs, the Kings and two other unknown teams. Will
see how that pans out. We hope that it gets
done before our show ends because I would love to

(01:04:35):
talk about it. But next up, it's Lea Van from
the Kronon coming on to talk about baseball and never
too early to talk baseball on the Zone next on
Sports Radio AM thirteen hundred, The Zone siding for the
Hall of Famer andrews Zill on Sports Radio AM thirteen hundred,
The Zone got a lot to get into. We were

(01:04:55):
eight days away from pitchers and catchers reporting and on
the phone line with us right now is Leah Van
from crime dot Com to talk to us about it.
How excited are you for a baseball season.

Speaker 12 (01:05:09):
I'm very excited. I'm pretty much ready to go booked
my spring training trip. And yeah, especially since football's kind
of been I guess we've got the super Bowl, but
it's been kind of over for like a Texans you.

Speaker 1 (01:05:22):
Know, for a while, exactly exactly, so I want to
start here Alex Bragman clearly the biggest story coming out
of Houston right now. Where are we right now with
the Bragman and Astro talk?

Speaker 9 (01:05:36):
I mean, where aren't we?

Speaker 5 (01:05:37):
Like?

Speaker 12 (01:05:37):
I mean, it's just one of those things where it
depends on what minute of the day that we're in.
But basically the Astros you know, are going to stick
to their offer of six years and one hundred and
to million, and he wants two hundred million because you know,
the offer on the table is kind of in a

(01:06:00):
way of pay cuts by comparison. Previous contract was backwarded,
so he was very twenty eight point five million per
year at the end of that contract, even though it's
the whole entire thing worked out to be about twenty
million a year and this new contract would average you know,

(01:06:20):
twenty six million a year, so it's not actually a
pay cut. Obviously, that would make him the highest paint
surfacement because Matt schampan find a sixty year, one hundred
and fifty one million dollars deal you know, last season.
But yeah, apparently the Red Sox and adj and uh,

(01:06:40):
the Tigers have all kind of been making their pitches
to him, and so far as the word is like,
oh he hasn't, there isn't an organization that's really offered
that he says high on his lips. So yeah, I
don't know. It's it's one of those changer. It's just

(01:07:01):
absolutely ever changing. And I don't know, I don't think
he'll be a Houston Astro. But if that is the case,
the Astros need to go to like sign an outfield
or something, you know.

Speaker 1 (01:07:14):
So that's where I was going to go with this, because,
like I said, we're eight days away from pictures and
catchers coming and starting the twenty twenty five season. Do
the Astros have a backup plan? There has to be
something in the works if they can't get their all
star third baseman to resign.

Speaker 9 (01:07:31):
Yeah, you would think and you know, I think I
feel like the clock is ticking and all the other
you know, all the other deals are kind of wrapping
up at this point in time. So I feel like,
you know, we're all just in a waiting pattern. And
the assuals do have a couple of prospects that have
some playing experience from last year just as a product

(01:07:53):
of injuries and stuff like that. You still have guys
in the outfield like Chads McCormick and Gosh and you know,
Jake Myers, a returning Jordan, but like Chaz didn't have
a good season last year. And then you've got some
prospects like Jacob Melton, peder Leone. But it would be

(01:08:15):
nice if they had somebody who was a little bit
more of a veteran status and a little bit more
of a big name to kind of replace a potential
loss in Bregman.

Speaker 1 (01:08:24):
And it sounds like Bregman wants to stay in Houston
or am I just reading every social media post now
on x that it sounds like he wants to be
in Houston and they just cannot find a way to
get a deal.

Speaker 9 (01:08:37):
Yeah, I think that would be his preference obviously. I mean,
these are his guys, and this is where he's been
for ever, for his entire career. But I think he
also wants to get paid, and I you know, I
think that he has the right to, you know, want that.
It's just you know how the Astros are. And even
Jim Crane I like tucked him say, and he's like,

(01:08:58):
I'm not gonna hey a ton of I'm not gonna
do something that's not good business, you know, And so
we'll see what happens. I don't know. It kind of
just just depends. I mean I could get off the
phone call and he can sign.

Speaker 2 (01:09:12):
You know.

Speaker 1 (01:09:13):
That's and you know what a lot of that has
happened to me recently, where guys just decide to sign
contracts right when the show ends. I want to start.
You talked about the money and the Astros are not
one of the heavy spenders this offseason, but the La
Dodgers are. They have deferred more money. They've outspent everybody.
And hal Steinbrenner actually brought up that the Yankees cannot

(01:09:37):
compete with how much they're spending. From your point of view,
from somebody the covers of the game day to day,
is this bad for the sport? With what the Dodgers
have done.

Speaker 9 (01:09:48):
I mean, I don't think it's really that. I mean,
I guess it's weird, but no, I don't think it is.
I think it's what keeps baseball on people's mind, people talking.
And you know, every league that has experienced like ups
and downs like those up years is you have a villain, right,
Like having a villain to chase is so good for branding.

(01:10:12):
And yeah, the old hags are like, oh, well, if
they're gonna pay this much money, I'm not gonna watch
baseball anymore. And it's the same guys who don't want
college players to be paid. And guess what, people are
watching college football. It does not matter. The spending does
not matter that much to fans. If people like think
that it does, it just it's like it's ridiculous. Yes,

(01:10:34):
But at the same time, they have all these big names,
and you know, the moment they lose like a three
game series, like everybody's gonna go bonker, you know, and
the moment that one of them gets hurt or something
like that, again, that's it's gonna break news. So as
far as it being bad for the sport, I think

(01:10:55):
it just adds more fire and spice amongst executives and
amongst teams. I don't think fans really care about the spending,
and I guess it's annoying to see that many stars
on one team. And we thought the same thing about
like the Golden State Warriors years back, and we thought
the same thing about the Miami Heat. We thought the
same thing about the Cavs. You know, like every majorly

(01:11:19):
successful sports franchise who has spent an exorbitant amount of
money has been annoying for everybody, right, but having that
villain is so good because it gives everybody something to chase.
Everybody loves to hate in sports. That is our favorite pathtime.
Do you give us any reason to hate somebody, or
hate a team, or hate an organization. We're all locked in.

Speaker 1 (01:11:43):
I love that, and I've said that for a long
time that you know, you can love your team, but
you'll hate watch We'll bring you to the couch. Lea
vanfromcron dot com talking to us about baseball his pitchers
and catchers report in about a week from today. What
other stories have been working on and where can we
find him?

Speaker 9 (01:12:00):
Leah, Yeah, I mean I've got a couple of things
in the works. I know I'm talking on Austin radio station.
You know, I'm at Texas alum. But I have two
texting and in baseball stories right now. And then I'm
working on doing a lot of interviews about head coach
Michael Early and kind of his come up story. And
then they're starting pitcher Ryan Prager why he turned down

(01:12:22):
like nine thousand dollars third rounds or second round selection
with the Angels to come back and play for A
and M. And then I'm working on a story actually
about Jim Crane and his background and playing college baseball
at the D two level and how that has shaped
his career as an executive. And Bash was also added
a new strength coach, Stephanie Grubbs this offseason, and so

(01:12:42):
I'm profiling her as well, and you can all, yeah,
you can find it all on cron dot com in
the coming.

Speaker 8 (01:12:47):
Weeks and months.

Speaker 1 (01:12:48):
It's my favorite. And I'll tell you what, Leah, reading
your tweets and reading your stories about college baseball. College
baseball is great. You take it to another level the
excitement and the love for the sport. Appreciate that, well,
thank you.

Speaker 9 (01:13:02):
I mean, I think it's fun, it's quirky, and it's
something that is that I think more people should pay
attention to.

Speaker 1 (01:13:10):
Lea Van from Cron dot com. Thank you so much
for hanging out with us on The Craigway Show.

Speaker 9 (01:13:14):
Yeah you too, Thanks for having me.

Speaker 1 (01:13:16):
More coming up in a bit, including Vic Shafe for
the head coach of the Texas women's basketball team. He
had media availability earlier today, previewed the upcoming game against
Texas A and M on Sunday, as well as spoke
about his time building programs at Sam Houston State and

(01:13:36):
what does it mean to have Sidney Carter on your
coaching staff. He gets into all of that. We'll bring
to you next on The Craigway Show. Andrew Zim will
fill you in for Craig on a free for all
Friday on sports Radio AM thirteen hundred The Zone Andrew
Zimble as we continue to roll along an hour number
three of The Craigway Show. If you missed any of

(01:13:59):
the show, make sure you go back and listen to
the podcast version of it. We do a pretty good
job of cutting him up and posting them for you
for your listening pleasure. Lea Van from the Kron dot
Com giving us an idea of what is coming up
for the Houston Astros this season. I talked about it
a little bit earlier this week about Max Schurzer, forty

(01:14:21):
one years old, gonna sign a one year deal with
the Toronto Blue Jays fifteen and a half million dollars,
and then Justin Erlinder signed out west with the Giants
as well, So a lot of those older pitchers trying
to get that last contract. Alex Bregman still not signed yet,
thirty years old, looking for a long term deal to
get him into his late thirties imaginable, So we'll see

(01:14:43):
if he resigns with the astroser ends up going somewhere else.
Red Sox are a favorite as well. So ESPN's women's
basketball bracketology currently has the three one seeds if the
tournament started today, being UCLA, South Carolina, Notre Dame, and

(01:15:06):
USC and UT would be a two seaton of course,
the host of that Austin region. We will see how
that turns out. They have a big schedule coming up
down the stretch for UT, including a game this Sunday
against Texas A and M and then games against South Carolina, LSU,
Kentucky to going into the month of February. But let's

(01:15:30):
talk about that road to an SEC title. In year
one in the SEC, Vick Schaeffer spoke to the media
day and was asked, do you see a road map
for an SEC title?

Speaker 7 (01:15:45):
I don't see any map, but the one that goes
to College Station's that's the only map, and I'm real
familiar with that road.

Speaker 5 (01:15:54):
So that's the only thing I'm focused on.

Speaker 7 (01:15:58):
You know, again, when you start looking at you know,
when you're climbing that mountain and you're halfway up and
you start looking at the top, that's when you miss
a step and you fall down and then you got
to start back all over again.

Speaker 5 (01:16:12):
So I'm just focused on one day at a time.

Speaker 7 (01:16:14):
I'm trying to I'm agonizing this morning, sitting here, trying
to figure out how what to do and how to
do it today with this team, knowing you know, where
we are right now in the in the process of
having nine players, and hopefully I hadn't lost any more
between now this morning at eight am, when I are
eight forty five, when I turned them loose to go

(01:16:35):
to class, and when I get them back at one thirty.
But I think it's it's kind of a fluid situation,
and so yeah, I'm just I'm really really intentional about
the next game.

Speaker 5 (01:16:48):
And that's it.

Speaker 1 (01:16:51):
That's big Schaeffer talking about the roadmap to the SEC title,
focusing on one game at a time, and Craig Way
has brought it up a couple times this week that
Schieffer and most of the coaches at the University of Texas,
they're not so much coaching against the opponent in front
of them, but the ghost of hey, making sure you
don't let down this fan base. This is high expectations,

(01:17:16):
a very high bar set. But Schaeffer was asked, do
you ever stop and think about where this team is
going or what to do when it comes to the
NCAA tournament.

Speaker 7 (01:17:29):
You know, after we beat Maryland, I told them, hey,
that's a that's a win that's going to really help
you when it comes in SAA tournament time. It'll help
you with with how they view us and seeding and
things like that. I mean, our non conference record, not
to mention our our net all that is really good.
Those kids, you know, embraced the grind and embrace being

(01:17:49):
on the road. You know, I told them how proud
I was of them and and and all that. But
you know, when when I was building a program at State,
I remember that second year we only had fourteen teams
in the league, and I put the top seven on
one side and the next seven on the other side,
and I said, hey, I want to finish number one

(01:18:13):
on this side, and let's see how many we can
get on this side. And so when you're building a
prey gives those kids something to shoot for, you know,
because we were building a program, I mean, we were trying.

Speaker 5 (01:18:26):
To build a.

Speaker 7 (01:18:29):
Way of life, a way of doing things, and so
it gave them an idea, Okay, these seven over here,
we want to go six and oh or seven and
oh and these over here. Now we need to do
the best we can over here. But this group right here,
we got to catch disc.

Speaker 5 (01:18:45):
Group before we can catch disc group. That makes sense.

Speaker 7 (01:18:49):
That's not where we are now here at Texas. So
I don't really get ahead of myself.

Speaker 5 (01:18:53):
I don't really.

Speaker 7 (01:18:54):
Talk about my kids are really smart. I think that
was again. You can tell them how good you think
somebody is, or how good some coach is, or all that.

Speaker 5 (01:19:06):
They're going to make up their own mind based off
of what.

Speaker 7 (01:19:11):
They'll make up their own mind about how good they
think somebody is based off of record or who they
know on the team or all that. So I just
try to put my head down, man, head down, rear,
end up, low ahead.

Speaker 5 (01:19:27):
That's just the only way I know how to do it.

Speaker 1 (01:19:30):
Sports Radio AM thirteen hundred The Zone. I love that
story about the Sam Houston State putting the all the
teams in the conference essentially listed and saying like, Okay, hey,
our goal is not to set the bar like all
we're trying to win the conference in year one. Our
goal is to beat that half the lower half of
the conference, make that the stepping stone, and then work

(01:19:53):
our way up. I love that story, and I think
a lot more coaches should do things like that instead
of trying to take a bite larger than you can chew. Uh.
What challenge is now? Though? Does Texas A and M
present as that's the game next up on that road
map for an eventual SEC title for UT fans Texas

(01:20:13):
A and M this Sunday, five pm. What are some
of those challenges?

Speaker 5 (01:20:17):
Coach?

Speaker 7 (01:20:18):
Yeah, I mean they got good players, you know, Lauren
being one of them.

Speaker 5 (01:20:23):
You know, I really hate it.

Speaker 7 (01:20:25):
Uh for Kulabali and so last year, and and it's
just a terrible, terrible thing for her and the team.

Speaker 5 (01:20:35):
But I still look at their roster. I watched their
game last night.

Speaker 7 (01:20:38):
I've watched the L s U game and and some others,
like they got really good personnel and and uh so
their athleticism, you know, uh, malone's much improved. To me,
she is physical, you know, and and obviously we've we've

(01:20:58):
got some good gigs down there to go with that.
So you know, they've got size, They've got several big,
big kids in long.

Speaker 5 (01:21:07):
And length, and so you know that concerns me.

Speaker 7 (01:21:10):
Their their ability to out on the perimeter with those guards.
There's a lot about that team that concerns me. So
you know we're gonna have to again, Well, it's a
home game for them. They've obviously played well and at
home beaten. You know, I had a good run there
with Georgia and Kentucky again Kentucky being a top fifteen

(01:21:31):
team when they beat them. So our kids are fully
aware of how good A and M is and how
good we're gonna.

Speaker 5 (01:21:38):
Have to play on Sunday.

Speaker 1 (01:21:40):
Now, let's jump ahead, Ronald, Let's go to cut number nine.
Cod number nine Now, this is a big game for
the University of Texas, and clearly it's a big game
for Texas A and M when you consider the rivalry
at hand Texas Texas A and M a civil war
in the state. When you pick a side, you die
by that side. How do you prepare the younger players

(01:22:00):
on this team, players who may not have ever played
Texas A and M before. This is the first year
the two teams share a conference since they were Big
Twelve partners a while like ten years ago, twelve years ago. Now,
how do you prepare the younger players for this rivalry? Coach?

Speaker 7 (01:22:16):
Let's be honest, the true rivalry was back in the
Southwest Conference days and then.

Speaker 5 (01:22:26):
A little bit bleeding into the Big Twelve.

Speaker 7 (01:22:29):
Well, my kids weren't even born, so it's really hard.
And we experienced that even at when I was at
A and M playing Texas back in those times. Now,
me and Shay Holly, we grew up in it. We
understand it completely. But to try to convey that to nowadays,

(01:22:51):
to today's kid, you know, it's probably a little more challenging.
And you know that can be good and bad. You know,
you certainly don't want to get two worked up about
a game too emotional. You want to play with emotion,
but you don't want to be emotional and so and

(01:23:13):
at the same time keeping that level head about Hey,
next one up, who is a coach? Who we playing?
Where are we playing? What times the bus loading and
where from? And that's not a bad approach. So I
think that's you know, that's where we're at in today's
world with today's kids.

Speaker 5 (01:23:30):
And but again, probably two people that.

Speaker 7 (01:23:34):
Do understand it is myself and and Shay Holly growing
up in a house with her father Eric, who played
obviously played football here and was.

Speaker 1 (01:23:44):
Involved in it sports radio AM thirteen hundred The Zone.
And another one would be Sidney Carter as well, who
played at the Texas A and M before now becoming
an assistant coach in director of player personnel for the Longhorns.
All right, we'll take quick break, wrap up our three
of The Craigway Show and send you into the weekend.