TCU men's basketball head coach Jamie Dixon met with members of the media at the Big 12 Tipoff in Kansas City. He talks about the season ahead, the five returning players, new players from the transfer portal, two new recruits, recruiting in the post-Super Senior era, and more.
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00 What's the next step you want to see?
00:04 We've really been interested in cutting down turnovers.
00:06 That's been the big thing.
00:07 I think it's just a combination of learning to play fast, as fast as we want to play,
00:14 you know, fast break points, and then the new guards.
00:18 And also that they missed -- you know, Jameer wasn't with us in the summer.
00:22 Avery missed a lot of practice, has had some injuries since they got there.
00:26 And really Trey were kind of turning into more of a little bit of a distributor
00:29 and playmaker as well.
00:31 So Mike has been out for a while.
00:33 So, you know, guards is -- has not -- they haven't been as -- where I'd hoped we'd be,
00:42 but we obviously have the reasons for it.
00:44 Jameer was an English major.
00:47 I think the only one in the Big 12, the English major.
00:52 So he was taking all summer to finish up some classes at Delaware.
00:55 So, I mean, that's where I think we got -- we're getting -- there's things we --
01:02 a lot of things we've got to get better at,
01:03 but that's the thing that we've been focused on the last couple weeks.
01:07 We've seen improvement.
01:08 Jameer was a pretty prolific scorer at Delaware.
01:11 How do you expect his scoring to translate?
01:13 Yeah, I mean, he's not going to average 21 in our league.
01:15 I mean, it's Colonial and the Big 12 are two different things.
01:19 I don't think anybody averages 21 in our league.
01:21 But, you know, we want him to become more of a distributor.
01:25 He can do it.
01:26 He's done a good job of it.
01:27 But he certainly is -- we had very quick, very athletic guards last year,
01:33 and we added those with Avery and Jameer, both.
01:39 Jameer is built like Mike.
01:40 I mean, he's a big, strong guard without the same athleticism and quickness.
01:45 So, yeah, I think, again, becoming more of a point is the goal for both,
01:52 Avery and him, though we're going to play them together a lot, too.
01:56 Yeah, D-Man's just the fourth player in program history to preseason all these
01:59 12s.
02:00 How much of that honor does he make in that?
02:02 Yeah, I mean, we only picked five, right?
02:04 And I guess since we went to, what, 14 teams now, we still have five on that team.
02:08 That was always an argument or a discussion point, I should say,
02:12 in the Big East and the ACC.
02:13 Do you go to 10 or what do you do?
02:15 So, we've kept it.
02:16 12, is it?
02:17 Yeah, one per team.
02:18 So, I guess, you know, it's all -- you can't compare one to the other in
02:22 different leagues.
02:23 But for whatever reason, we've always stayed with that.
02:25 Who was it, Mike?
02:27 Bane.
02:28 Bane.
02:29 Sean told me the other one.
02:30 I forgot.
02:31 Was it Kenrich?
02:32 I don't know if he would have been.
02:34 Maybe second year he might have been on it.
02:37 But, yeah, I mean, it's good.
02:41 He's improved a lot as a player and done the things we've asked him to do.
02:46 And we've done things he's asked to do as far as getting better,
02:49 playing on the perimeter, getting opportunities to handle the ball
02:52 and shoot the basketball.
02:53 But the thing is, I'm still trying to encourage him to shoot more open threes
02:57 as he's also trying to be the guy that can guard on the perimeter
03:03 and be the best.
03:05 I think defensively he could be great on the perimeter.
03:07 We've still got to see it on the floor in a Big 12 game.
03:12 Coach, I'm with the Boulder Daily Camera in Colorado.
03:16 I'm wondering if you've had an opportunity to maybe clear the air with Eddie
03:19 Lampkin or his family since he --
03:21 In Colorado?
03:22 No, I mean, everything's fine.
03:25 Everything's good.
03:26 Everything's good.
03:27 Yeah, everything's good.
03:29 Everything's good.
03:31 So you mentioned this earlier.
03:33 Talk about, again, the importance of returning players
03:37 and what they're bringing back to the team.
03:39 Say that again, I'm sorry?
03:41 The importance of how --
03:42 Oh, the five guys.
03:44 Yeah, no, there's no question.
03:45 I mean, the five guys --
03:52 and, again, everybody talks about the transfers, first question, transfer,
03:56 first question, transfer.
03:57 I mean, like it's the transfers.
03:58 But five guys -- and we brought back the most scoring in the league.
04:03 And I'm excited about our transfers.
04:05 But the core is those five guys.
04:07 And they've come together, and since they've got there,
04:09 we've won games at a higher level.
04:11 And so I'm excited about their toughness, their physicality,
04:17 the amount of games they've been through.
04:20 Certainly excited about them.
04:21 It's kind of unique because they're all kind of in the same position, too,
04:24 at the same -- not in the same position, but they're all kind of size.
04:27 And so it's -- but they're a great group.
04:31 They work hard.
04:32 They play physical.
04:35 They're aggressive.
04:36 They're athletic, all of them.
04:37 I mean, it's interesting, the similarities of them in some ways.
04:42 But, like you said, I keep going to that.
04:44 Everybody brings up transfers, as we know.
04:46 That's the world.
04:47 But we've got five guys,
04:48 and we have the most returning in the scoring in the league, I think BYU possibly.
04:53 But, again, that's a little different deal they have there.
04:56 But certainly I think it's what we should start every conversation with,
05:01 is those five guys and what they can do for us.
05:03 [Inaudible]
05:07 Yeah, I mean, you know, you talk about a team like Kansas,
05:09 who obviously won the conference last year, Texas,
05:12 and I think they bring back two, three guys.
05:14 I mean, it's -- you know, we're all trying to figure it out.
05:20 We're all trying to figure out what it takes to keep the young guy that hasn't played.
05:24 And we weren't quite in that position with a lot of guys, but other schools were.
05:28 Those young guys that don't play as much, are they going to stick around that next year?
05:32 That's, I guess, the challenge.
05:34 That's something I've been giving a lot of consideration with going forward here,
05:39 is, you know, how does that play out.
05:41 Now, it will all change a little bit, I think, once we go to get through the COVID,
05:45 the extra year guy, the super senior guy.
05:48 So I think that may have something to do with it going forward.
05:51 But, you know, you've got to evolve, you've got to adjust, you've got to figure it out.
05:56 [Inaudible]
06:04 You know, he was really efficient for --
06:07 offensively he got up with the most shots per minute on our team.
06:11 You know, he gets shots up.
06:12 And he's a good shooter and he scores, and he scores in a variety of ways.
06:16 So, I mean, we're looking for him to take a big step.
06:19 But defensively, he's got to be where that step is.
06:21 Offensively, he's going to progress to a degree.
06:25 But defensively, he's got the most room to improve.
06:27 So that's what I really think is exciting about him, really exciting about him.
06:33 So we've challenged him in that area.
06:36 I think he's responding.
06:38 But now we've got to see it for some other people and certainly see it in the Big 12.
06:41 But we need him to be great defensively.
06:46 And that's how we've got to get better.
06:48 Our defense was not where I thought it could be last year.
06:53 And, you know, depth wasn't what I thought it would be.
06:58 Guys 55 missed games, you know, that had something to do with it.
07:01 But, you know, those are excuses they give you, you know, short of where you want to be.
07:07 We didn't get to where I wanted to get to because we simply weren't good enough defensively.
07:11 What kind of players is Colorado getting in Lantz?
07:14 We haven't seen him much.
07:15 Yeah, I think he's injured, but he's got good hands, good touch, good kid.
07:21 You know, excited about his future up there.
07:26 You mentioned Mike can play more in the guard spot, bigger lineup.
07:30 What does he give you when you play Mike?
07:32 Yeah, we're going to find it out.
07:34 I've never had a guard that big in what we're doing it and we're practicing it.
07:37 And so I'm looking forward to it.
07:39 But he's worked really hard.
07:43 He's -- but he's been out for the last three weeks.
07:46 So we've made some real good progress these last couple weeks, but he hasn't been out there.
07:50 But, you know, we know he's going to certainly bring -- I think he makes us better defensively,
07:57 certainly should rebounding-wise.
08:00 He's done a better job decision-making.
08:02 That's the biggest thing that we've seen, and we obviously need that if you're going to play the guard.
08:07 And he is certainly a guy that if he makes some shots, which he has done,
08:14 we haven't seen in games consistently, but he has done in practice, he has done it in the offseason,
08:22 he's got to stay healthy.
08:24 And that seems to be when he kind of goes a little bit backwards in that regard.
08:29 I say backwards is probably not the right word.
08:31 But, you know, you need rhythm.
08:33 You need shooting the basketball in and out injury-wise.
08:36 Again, three weeks out here right now.
08:38 But I'm excited about trying to incorporate that in there because, you know,
08:43 with our lineup, all those forwards, got to find some ways to get those guys on the floor,
08:48 Chuck, Jacoby, Emmanuel, as well as the guards who are playing well.
08:55 What kind of expectations do you have for those freshmen?
08:59 You know, I really like them both.
09:02 I think I'm very excited about those guys.
09:06 They're good athletes, good size, good kids.
09:11 Skill level is what we -- they're going to be big guys for their positions, big size.
09:18 So the skill level is where they've got to grow.
09:22 Ball handling especially.
09:23 Isaiah's shot's improved.
09:25 Jace's, we've got to -- you know, we really had that discussion last week or so,
09:30 where, you know, this is what we want to do.
09:32 We want you to take it home with shots.
09:34 Don't care if they don't go in, make or miss.
09:37 But we've got to -- they've got skill levels where they've got to improve.
09:41 But athletically and size for their position, they fit that.
09:45 They're tough.
09:46 They're competitive.
09:49 They're also 18 years old, and everybody else on their team is about 22 to 23.
09:53 So that's the challenge for them.
09:56 But I think it's toughing them up.
09:58 They've had a good -- what have we got, June, July, August, September.
10:03 We're now in month five, I guess.
10:05 So I think they've really grown.
10:06 They've gotten better, no question about it.
10:08 Playing without the basketball has been the biggest challenge for them.
10:10 But they've gotten better, and I'm excited about them.
10:16 Coach, I was looking through some of the data.
10:18 It looks like the Big 12 has the fewest freshmen coming in.
10:21 Yeah, I know.
10:23 What do you make of that?
10:25 And how big is recruiting freshmen?
10:27 You don't have many, right?
10:29 Yeah, well, we have two.
10:30 We were just talking about them, and there's two that we really like.
10:33 But, again, the obvious is they're 18.
10:36 They're a young freshman, too, so they were 17, I think, when they showed up.
10:39 They just turned 18.
10:43 Everybody else is 22, 23, 24 on our team.
10:49 So that's the challenge for them.
10:53 And I think it's really how they handle that, you know,
10:56 rather than -- you know, you've got to acknowledge it,
10:59 and I think understand that.
11:02 But, you know, it's -- you know, we've looked at it.
11:09 We've analyzed it in our recruiting going forward.
11:11 It will change when the super senior is no longer around.
11:15 But it's probably another year away until more freshmen are getting recruited.
11:21 I mean, we're recruiting some freshmen this year.
11:23 We've done real well in the recruiting class.
11:25 So I think that process has begun for us, and it may be another year away for some.
11:32 Yeah, I was talking to a few of them.
11:33 They're like they don't really want to take more than three or four in a cycle.
11:35 Where do you fall into that?
11:37 Well, we did two this year, one the year before.
11:41 We're probably looking at a little more this year.
11:44 So that kind of gives you an idea.
11:46 I can't really talk about specifics at that point -- this coming year.
11:49 But, you know, it's a decision you've got to make, see who you can get.
11:55 But, you know, the main thing is just if they -- you know, if they -- you've got to look long term.
12:03 I mean, you've got to see, you know, who you're going against and what you can become.
12:09 So I hate to phrase it -- because there will be some freshmen that do get through it.
12:12 But it will be something that may take a little longer.
12:16 Is it one of those things where maybe you're trying to find a developmental guy who's okay being the 13th man on the roster?
12:20 Yeah, there's some of that.
12:21 I mean, we didn't use all our scholarships this year.
12:23 We had 12.
12:25 It would be interesting to see how many of the teams -- we had looked at that in the summer,
12:30 but some things, you know, changed.
12:32 But how many teams had used all 13 scholarships?
12:34 So, you know, to be honest, that's -- you said 13th man.
12:39 I don't think a lot of teams are going to use that 13th scholarship.
12:42 And that was what we saw a little bit.
12:45 So that comes into play as well.
12:48 Thank you.
12:50 Avery Anderson is playing a lot of big-towel basketball.
12:52 How important was it for you guys to bring him in, losing Mike and Dave?
12:57 Oh, yeah, yeah, no, there's no question.
13:00 I mean, you know, I think we had to look at, you know, figure it out.
13:05 You never know, you know, what they're doing.
13:07 They obviously knew they were going to put their name in the draft.
13:09 But you don't know.
13:12 But we also had guys that were -- Jameer and Avery that were certainly interested in TCU.
13:18 So, you know, we had to look at that.
13:20 And, yeah, we had to bring in experienced guards.
13:23 You can't -- you know, nobody's winning with inexperienced guards in this league.
13:28 It hasn't happened.
13:29 And, you know, that's -- you know, you can try proving it wrong, but it hasn't been done.
13:38 So, yeah, it was important.
13:40 Those guys were key to us and important to us.
13:43 Is the combo of Avery and Jameer, are there similarities to Mike and Dave?
13:48 Yeah, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
13:49 We recruited that way, talking to them about that way.
13:53 We haven't been able to practice them together probably as much.
13:58 Injuries had something to do with that, Jameer's arrival, and then some Micah being out.
14:04 So that's it.
14:05 But our plan is to do some more of that this week going forward before we scrimmage on Sunday.
14:10 So, yeah, it's something that we want to do, will do.
14:14 But I don't know that we've practiced it as much as we thought we would going into today,
14:22 going into our first scrimmage.
14:24 What type of leader is he, Nate?
14:26 He's respected by his teammates.
14:31 He's vocal, but he's not a ra-ra vocal guy.
14:37 He's the kind of guy that kind of steps in when it's not going right and voices his opinion then, I think,
14:47 or his thoughts then.
14:49 So I kind of like that of him.
14:51 But, you know, his toughness shines, comes through the players, I think.
14:56 His intensity shows through, so I think he's that kind of -- more kind of actions than voice.
15:05 But he will, when it's time to get something focused on, he'll be that guy that steps up.
15:13 So it's good.
15:15 I mean, I think he's still trying to find his game.
15:20 He's still in that process of that.
15:22 So he's had to change from being a five to a wing, and I think he's still something that just continues.
15:31 And I haven't done a lot of that, a five to wings.
15:35 I mean, Desmond was that technically in high school.
15:38 But, you know, it's a transition.
15:41 It's a transition that doesn't happen overnight.
15:44 But I think he certainly is respected by the team and by us,
15:49 how hard he works, how physical he is, and how tough he is.
15:55 What kind of role do you view Desmond Trey?
15:57 Yeah, I mean, you know, he's kind of the guy that couldn't get mentioned as much.
16:00 But he's been the guy that's been out there every day.
16:03 He's a shooter that we, you know, haven't had since Desmond, to be quite honest.
16:10 Quick release range.
16:12 His work ethic is evident.
16:16 I mean, he's in there.
16:18 Our women's coach, Coach Campbell, said, like, the guy's in there morning, noon, night.
16:25 I mean, he just -- he wants to be great.
16:28 And he's gotten better.
16:29 He's gotten better off the dribble.
16:31 Now, I'm not saying he's going to be the guy that's blowing by guys,
16:34 but he can now get other guys shots, I think doing a little better job of that.
16:39 He's getting better defensive, which he had to be.
16:41 You know, I think he didn't realize what we were going to require from him defensively,
16:46 but that's what we're trying to do.
16:48 [Inaudible]
17:04 Who was it last year?
17:05 [Inaudible]
17:12 I'm trying to figure out who you're saying.
17:14 So, Cole, I guess, is that the guy, Cole?
17:22 I guess it's still to be decided.
17:24 I don't know.
17:25 Stewart, maybe.
17:27 I'm trying to -- you're talking about walk-ons?
17:32 I guess probably Stewart.
17:33 If Cole was the guy last year, then it would be a new guy this year and Stewart.
17:38 We're trying to figure it out.
17:39 We may have some walk-ons at redshirt, so I don't know exactly who that would be.
17:43 But to be decided, I guess, to be determined.
17:46 They're figuring out their options as we speak.
17:51 So, there's one guy I mentioned, Tyler is a walk-on technically.
17:55 He's been on scholarship before, but he's gotten better and better for us.
17:59 So, I don't know if he fits.
18:00 He doesn't fit into that equation because he certainly is a guy that could get
18:06 scholarships at Division I institutions.
18:08 So, a little different for him.
18:11 But he's played well.
18:13 I want to mention him because he's done some good things for us
18:15 and makes practice better since we've had these injuries,
18:18 especially on the perimeter.
18:20 So, yeah.
18:21 How did the two bigs that you brought in from the post probably make one of the
18:25 biggest trades?
18:26 Xavier and the bigs.
18:27 Yeah, I mean, I think we -- hopefully we've got to be better defensively there,
18:31 just like across the board.
18:33 But I think the depth will help us.
18:36 I think the practices we've had, it's availability.
18:43 They've got to be out there.
18:44 Whether it be foul trouble or hurt, you know,
18:46 they've got to be out there and give us the options to do that.
18:49 We want to have depth at that position.
18:51 And I don't know that we -- same with the guards.
18:53 You know, as good as our guards were last year, they missed 15 games.
18:57 Like, that takes away about -- you know,
18:59 there's no other way to hurt a team than not have your guards.
19:03 And 15 times we didn't have them.
19:05 So, you know, that's a challenge.
19:07 I count the Mississippi State game, we played a couple minutes.
19:10 But I could count the West Virginia game when they both got two fouls in the
19:15 first four minutes.
19:16 But that's what you've got to have.
19:20 But I would hope that our depth is the positive in that group,
19:24 those three guys.
19:25 That's what I hope.
19:27 They're different.
19:28 But they're both -- they're all three are tough.
19:31 They're all getting better.
19:32 They're all working hard.
19:33 I like them all.
19:35 We played Xavier as a forward, too, a foreman.
19:38 We played him a lot in practice, too, because of some guys being out.
19:42 But he's been good in that area, too.
19:45 [Inaudible]
19:57 We hope conditioning-wise.
19:58 We hope defensively.
19:59 And I think there's been a commitment to those two things.
20:05 And, you know, now you've got to stay healthy and keep doing it, you know,
20:09 day after day, practice after practice, then game after game.
20:12 But, you know, he's got to -- he got up shots.
20:15 He led us in, you know, minutes per shot -- I mean, shots per minute.
20:19 So, he's got to defend and rebound for us to be good.
20:23 And I prefer to keep him at the five -- at the four
20:28 and throw him in at the five some.
20:30 But I hope he's quick enough and good enough to guard at the four,
20:34 which oftentimes means you've got to guard, too, you know, a point when I say guard.
20:39 So, that's probably the thing he's got to be great at.
20:44 But offensively, he makes us better.
20:45 There's no question.
20:46 [Inaudible]
20:58 Well, yeah, it's been a while.