WATCH! TCU Head Coach Mark Campbell - Army Postgame
TCU women's basketball beat Army 88-51 in the Maggie Dixon Classic. Head coach discusses the game in his postgame interview.
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00:00 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:07 >> All right, we have TC head coach Mark Campbell following today's win over
00:11 Army.
00:12 We'll start with an opening statement from the head coach and
00:14 then open it up for questions.
00:16 >> Well, really proud of our group tonight.
00:18 I thought this was the best 40 minutes of basketball we've played so
00:23 far this season and they were really focused from the tip.
00:28 And they finished it all the way until the end.
00:30 So just really proud of their effort and their growth and
00:33 against the Army team that competes and plays hard.
00:37 And we're very balanced tonight.
00:40 Sedona, Madison, Jaden, that triangle tonight just did
00:45 a tremendous job of taking what they were given us.
00:48 And so, thankful to be five and all right now.
00:53 >> Last game, Incarnate Word closes the game on a 12 run.
00:56 Tonight, y'all close the game on an 8-0 run.
00:59 Was the message to the team going in to close out and finish strong?
01:03 >> Absolutely, you guys, this is only game five with a group that's just
01:07 learning to play together.
01:09 And so, over the course of the game, you wanna get off to a great start.
01:14 And there's a certain focus that those starters need to have.
01:17 And at the end of a game, regardless of what combinations in there,
01:21 finishing the game right and not worrying about what the scoreboard is.
01:25 And tonight, I think that group did a great job offensively and
01:29 defensively finishing the game right.
01:31 And so, before in our pregame talk, we talked about,
01:34 let's put together 40 good minutes of basketball tonight.
01:37 And there's still stuff we gotta grow on and work on.
01:41 But this was our best 40 minutes of basketball this year.
01:44 >> You mentioned this team still kinda learning to play together.
01:47 Madison and Jaden both had nine assists.
01:53 I mean, just talk about them getting comfortable working with Sedona and
01:57 just the growth that's been there.
01:58 >> Yeah, this team will army, they defensively really get after you.
02:04 And they wanna pick up full court and pressure the ball.
02:07 And so, this game, you didn't run many plays, you didn't run many sets.
02:11 They force you to just play basketball and they force you to play fast.
02:15 And so, with Jaden and Madison, those kids have earned our trust to, all right,
02:21 let's go, let's play.
02:22 That's what the game's gonna be tonight.
02:24 And I think their nine assists each show that they're capable of doing that,
02:29 making great decisions.
02:30 And I would call those two kids, they're our primary playmakers.
02:34 And tonight, I think it showed why, that they have the ability to score and
02:38 to create.
02:38 So proud of those two.
02:41 >> On Wednesday, you talked about wanting to see a little bit better effort,
02:44 especially on the defensive boards.
02:46 How did you feel the team did today in that area?
02:48 >> Yeah, we were locked in.
02:50 This team, Army crashes four players on every shot.
02:53 And so, one of our keys to the game was being locked in and
02:56 boxing out and dominating on the glass.
02:59 I didn't see the final numbers.
03:02 We ended up winning the rebounding battle against a team that crashes hard.
03:06 So I'm proud of our kids for doing that.
03:08 You could tell they were focused and locked in.
03:10 But to win and be really, really good, you gotta rebound at a high level.
03:15 And that's something we're gonna continue to work on throughout the season.
03:19 >> Well, Sedona had 16 of those rebounds and another double-double for her.
03:22 Talk about how she's grown.
03:25 >> Man, we're waking up a sleeping giant.
03:27 I mean, Sedona had a year off and she's only five games into the season.
03:31 But she had her career high last game and scored 26.
03:35 And then she had 33 and 16 tonight.
03:38 And so, I think it's a combination of Sedona's focus and
03:42 getting comfortable after having a year off.
03:44 And then our team is learning how to make sure she gets her touches and
03:49 making sure she gets the ball where she is tough to guard.
03:53 And so, and then that comes in a lot of ways.
03:55 It comes from our pick and roll action and also comes from our post-ups.
03:59 And so, between her and our team,
04:02 they're starting to really figure out how to play together.
04:05 >> 33 points for Sedona.
04:06 Can you just talk about the efficiency from her, 12 and 19 from the field today?
04:10 >> Yeah, Sedona has this incredible basketball IQ.
04:14 She truly does.
04:15 And she's so skilled and talented.
04:18 And we're using her, I call it playing through the post,
04:22 where she is gonna touch the ball for us.
04:24 And whether she scores or passes, she's impacting the game.
04:28 And with Sedona, even when she doesn't touch the ball, I don't know if you guys
04:33 saw, but they were fronted, that's their defensive scheme.
04:35 Well, if you front and you gotta have someone on the backside, well,
04:39 then that gave us skip passes.
04:41 And we got a lot of clean looks and attack close-ups.
04:43 So even when Sedona isn't touching the ball, she's impacting the game.
04:48 But she's one of the best centers in college basketball, period.
04:51 She impacts the game on the defensive end, and
04:53 she impacts the game every possession on the offensive end.
04:57 >> Looks like when they were fronting today, too,
04:59 you took advantage of that with some pick and roll with Madison.
05:02 Just how deadly is that when you have someone like Madison and
05:05 Sedona working that together?
05:07 >> Yeah, it's kind of pick your poison with those two.
05:10 Madison, Sedona pick and roll, and Jaden, Sedona pick and roll.
05:15 Your defensive scheme has to be really dialed in to handle those guys in
05:20 those actions.
05:21 And so Madison's just such a unique scoring threat from the perimeter and
05:26 her shooting ability.
05:28 There can't be many shooters in college basketball better.
05:31 And so it distorts the defense because you gotta make sure you get out to her and
05:35 it opens things up for Sedona and vice versa.
05:38 Sedona's such a threat down low that it opens things up for
05:42 our perimeter players.
05:43 And I don't know how many threes we hit, but
05:45 I know heading into this game we're leading the country in threes made.
05:49 >> Talk about Jaden, it seems like she really made a concerted effort to drive
05:53 the ball to the rim today.
05:55 Can you just talk about her effort today?
05:57 >> Yeah, Jaden is one, so athletic and fast and explosive and has elite vision.
06:02 And so they wanted to pick up full court and pressure and play that game.
06:07 And so that allows Jaden to kind of turn her loose.
06:10 Again, we hardly ran any plays today.
06:12 Today was just playing basketball and
06:14 Jaden is as good a point guard as anybody in the country.
06:18 If you wanna pressure her and allow her to drive and kick and create, and so
06:22 she made great plays all over the court for us today.
06:25 >> You talked a little bit about Madison's perimeter shooting.
06:28 And I mean, 15 attempts today and most of them were pretty good open looks.
06:33 Is that a testament to the rest of the team's shooting ability that she's still
06:36 able to get open looks when people are preparing for it?
06:39 >> Yeah, so with our spacing and the four out,
06:41 there's shooters everywhere all over the court.
06:43 Like Greg Dwayne, she got 15 threes and I would say 15 great looks.
06:48 She went seven for 15, I'd say she's off.
06:51 But we'll take Madison, 15 threes,
06:55 if that's what a team's gonna give her, we'll take that all night.
06:58 >> Talk about the depth on this team's a little short and
07:03 loose tar there at the end of the first quarter.
07:07 Do you expect that to be something serious?
07:09 >> I'll go meet with the training staff once we finish up here.
07:14 My guess is no, probably just landed hard.
07:17 And it's gonna be a little sore and tender.
07:19 But I haven't heard from the training staff yet, so
07:23 I know she was back on the bench in the second half.
07:25 And but it gave some other kids some great opportunity.
07:29 Really proud of Vic who came in there and
07:32 in eight minutes played some good basketball, made some great plays.
07:36 And she, Vic works her butt off in practice every day and
07:40 loves the game of basketball.
07:41 And so it was neat that she got an opportunity to get out there and compete.
07:46 >> Talk about the pressure your offense applies on the opposing teams.
07:49 I think this is the second game in a row where you forced
07:53 multiple players to foul out on the opposing team.
07:56 >> Yeah, offensively, I think we have all the tools to be a juggernaut.
08:03 And there's just such good balance with playmakers,
08:07 with shooting, with a true inside presence.
08:10 But a lot of our baskets, I think heading into this game,
08:13 70% of our field goals on the season were assisted.
08:16 And so this is a very talented, explosive offensive group that shares the ball and
08:22 plays the game the right way.
08:23 It kinda just takes what the defense gives them.
08:25 And so just really proud of them and how they played today.
08:29 >> First time on the road coming up this week in season, obviously,
08:32 you guys have the international trip in the preseason.
08:35 How much does that help you now preparing for your first road trip of the year?
08:39 >> First of all, I love your big Sky Conference hoodie.
08:42 >> [LAUGH] >> Did you wear that for me or
08:44 is that coincidence?
08:45 >> It was coincidence, but we'll say it's coincidence.
08:47 >> I love it, I love it.
08:49 So we're about to hit the road, and I think our group's ready for that.
08:53 I'm thankful that we got five home games to work through some of the kinks and
08:57 be in front of our home crowd.
08:58 By the way, the crowd's been great.
09:00 It's just growing each game.
09:01 Rest of Fort Worth needs to get out here and see these ladies come and hoop and
09:06 compete.
09:07 And so we're gonna head to Florida and
09:09 go play the Thanksgiving tournament against two good teams, UTEP and Nebraska.
09:14 And just that whole experience, live in the hotel,
09:18 have your meals on the road, and work through that.
09:22 This group's ready for that challenge.
09:24 So I'm excited to go on the road trip with them and
09:26 see what we can do in Florida.
09:28 >> You're spending Thanksgiving on the road.
09:31 Will y'all do something special with the team to kind of celebrate the occasion?
09:36 >> Yeah, absolutely.
09:37 Road trips are great team bonding opportunities.
09:40 And for this new group, it's a great opportunity for us to go and
09:45 spend time together.
09:46 We'll have a Thanksgiving dinner that we're gonna put together for our team.
09:51 And it's part of the journey.
09:54 And we're just in the beginning of our journey as a group.
09:59 And so this road trip, it's basketball, competing on the road.
10:02 It's also a team bonding opportunity.
10:04 And so this will be great for us.
10:06 We're ready for it.
10:07 I can't wait to get there.
10:09 >> Speaking of the Thanksgiving spread,
10:10 what's one slide you have to have on the 22nd?
10:14 >> I'm a sucker for the sweet potato.
10:17 Man, and I also like, this one's not very healthy, but mashed potatoes and gravy.
10:25 So those two I'm a sucker for.
10:27 And I'll throw one more in, the pumpkin pie.
10:30 I might have more than one slice each sitting.
10:33 >> [LAUGH] >> Are you a stuffing or a dressing guy?
10:37 >> I'm a stuffing guy.
10:41 I'm not picky with what I eat, though.
10:43 I can eat.
10:45 >> Just a broad question about the Big 12.
10:47 The Big 12 has really been showing out conference wide.
10:51 Can you just talk about the strength of league play so
10:54 far through the first five games and non-conference?
10:56 >> I mean, man, it's awesome for our league to be doing what it's doing.
11:00 I know earlier in the week, Baylor had a great win against Utah.
11:06 Kansas State goes into Iowa and gets a great win.
11:10 And the league, I mean, there hasn't been many non-conference losses as a league.
11:15 And so this league's loaded, it's deep, and it's scary.
11:20 There's some good teams that we have up ahead.
11:23 But I'm not really worried on that.
11:25 You keep track of the league cuz you want the league to do well,
11:29 because that gives our league more opportunities to earn spots in the NCAA
11:33 tournament.
11:33 And so right now our league's handling their business in the non-conference and
11:37 it's fun to root for them.
11:39 And right now, just continue to focus on our non-conference schedule.
11:42 I just know our team has so far to continue to grow and so
11:46 many things we need to work on and improve.
11:48 And so we're just taking it game by game, but
11:51 I'm proud of the league and what we're doing.
11:53 >> You mentioned you guys still have some things to work on.
11:56 What's maybe one of those things you're gonna look at on this upcoming road trip?
11:59 >> Yeah, getting off to a great start.
12:03 We gotta continue to grow in that area of taking care of the ball,
12:08 making simple plays, and getting off to a great start.
12:11 Our group, they're so energetic and they love to compete and
12:16 they're so excited and amped up.
12:18 And so every game we make some just silly plays at the start and
12:22 you can't do that against the good teams.
12:24 And so getting off to a great start is one,
12:28 continue to grow in dominating on the glass.
12:32 I think that needs to be an area that we're great at, limiting teams to one shot.
12:37 And then continue to take care of the ball as explosive as we are offensively.
12:43 I think one of our Achilles heel is shooting herself in the foot.
12:46 And so don't turn it over, take care of the ball, get good shots.
12:49 And so we're just gonna continue chipping away at each of those areas.
12:52 >> You talk about getting off to great starts.
12:55 How much of an advantage is it for you all knowing that from the first tip,
12:59 it's pretty much automatic, you are gonna control that opening possession?
13:02 >> Yeah, not many people are beating Sedona on a jump ball.
13:06 And so it is an advantage to know that, all right, here's our first action and
13:10 this is how we're gonna attack a team.
13:12 And it allows our kids to know what we're gonna run that first play.
13:15 And then you just try to do that and then it leads to a defensive possession and
13:22 in a box outs and it just snowballs.
13:24 And so, but Sedona helps us in every area of the game,
13:29 starting with the jump ball.
13:31 >> 12 seals tonight, 23 fast break points as well.
13:36 Is that an aspect of the game that you really are wanting to emphasize moving
13:40 forward?
13:40 >> Yeah, we gotta be active defensively.
13:42 We wanna be active defensively and we wanna play fast.
13:45 And so you gotta get stops up.
13:48 But we have been emphasizing tips, deflections.
13:51 Agnes did a heck of a job getting some tips,
13:53 deflections that led to transition easy buckets.
13:56 And so that's an area we wanna play fast.
14:00 And in order to do that, you gotta get stops and we're growing in that area.
14:04 But tips and deflections tonight,
14:06 I think it was as good as we've done this season so far.
14:09 And it led to a lot of easy buckets.
14:11 >> Just quickly back to the, y'all going on the road,
14:15 you're gonna play UTEP first and then Nebraska.
14:18 Can you just sum up what you expect to see from both of those teams?
14:21 >> Well, it's a quick turnaround.
14:22 So you're gonna play UTEP and then you're gonna get a day rest and
14:27 cover a scout.
14:28 Then you're gonna turn around and play Nebraska, which is a great team,
14:30 great program.
14:32 And they've been good for quite a while.
14:34 So two good opponents.
14:36 We know both staffs really well.
14:39 Their teams are gonna be locked in and coached well.
14:42 UTEP, their staff is brand new, just like ours.
14:46 They built a big time program at UTEP and then went to Wichita State and
14:50 then came back.
14:50 And so I know those guys will be ready and locked in.
14:54 And then Nebraska has been a NCAA tournament team, a top 25 team.
14:59 It'll be fun.
15:00 We get to play one of our former players, Jazz Shelley,
15:04 who's their leader and best player.
15:07 So it'll be fun to see her and compete against her.
15:10 And she's one of the best guards in college basketball, period.
15:13 She's an elite level shooter, playmaker, winner.
15:17 So we got two tough games and we'll prepare for UTEP first and
15:20 then we'll take that one day and get ready for Nebraska.
15:22 >> Can you talk about how important it was to get someone like Agnes and
15:27 just her impact on today's game, four blocks, three steals.
15:31 >> Agnes is the backbone of TCU women's basketball.
15:36 The stat sheet does not quantify what Agnes does for our team.
15:42 She is literally the last kid after practice every day getting up shots.
15:47 She is a selfless, humble warrior that brings it every single night
15:54 with an unbelievable attitude.
15:57 And so she's the kid, she is the rock of our program and people feed off her.
16:01 And so every night on our scout,
16:05 there's someone that Agnes is going to eliminate.
16:08 And she's so versatile.
16:10 It doesn't matter if it's a one or a four, she can guard all of them.
16:14 But Javi, my associate head coach, pregame every time,
16:18 his favorite thing to say is, well, they're gonna get to know Agnes tonight.
16:22 And so just proud of her.
16:24 She impacts the game in so many areas.
16:26 Like Sedona, Agnes impacts the game on both sides of the court.
16:30 And she is an elite offensive rebounder.
16:33 And so truly, she's the backbone of our program.
16:37 Has been a rock from day one.
16:38 And so very thankful to have her now, but we get her for another year.
16:42 >> Una's kind of had a slow start to the year.
16:46 What's some things you all can do to try to get her going?
16:49 >> Yeah, Una's again, she played in the big west.
16:52 And so it's a big jump up and Una's used to being the best player.
16:57 Una led Fullerton in scoring and assists and minutes.
17:00 And so now you're playing with some other great players.
17:04 And so it takes time, which it's not just Una, our whole team to work
17:08 through the kinks of really playing good basketball together.
17:12 And Una loves the game of basketball.
17:14 Una has an elite work ethic and is a great competitor.
17:17 And so that's what I mean by we're only five games into this journey together.
17:22 And there's all these parts and
17:25 personalities that you're getting to blend together.
17:27 And so we're not even close to playing high level basketball or
17:31 maxing out what this group can do yet.
17:33 That's a long ways down the road.
17:36 >> What has your message been to Una over the first couple weeks?
17:39 >> Yeah, to be a playmaker.
17:41 We want all our guards to be aggressive, to be confident, to be in attack mode.
17:45 And so Jaden and Madison and Una,
17:48 those three all know that they're playmakers for us.
17:52 And so there's one ball, so not everybody can make a play every time down court.
17:58 And these kids deserve so much credit,
18:01 because they all came from different programs.
18:06 They all are really gifted and talented in their own ways, but
18:09 they've set aside their personal egos to play team basketball.
18:13 And what they're doing is rare and hard to do, is come together and
18:18 be unselfish, take great shots, and be joyful for each other.
18:23 But they did it again tonight.
18:24 70% of our baskets have been assisted on the season, and
18:28 tonight they have 24 assists on 32 main field goals.
18:31 And so I have no doubt she's gonna continue to grow and get comfortable.
18:37 But that's just part of the process.
18:39 >> Anything else for coach?
18:41 All right.
18:44 >> Thanks you guys, good to see you, happy Thanksgiving.
18:46 >> Happy Thanksgiving.