TCU head coach Jamie Dixon talks about the 81-65 win over West Virginia and tying Billy Tubbs for second all-time in TCU head coach wins (156).
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00:00 >> All right, well, our goal was to get below 40% for
00:04 two and a half percentage defense and we got it, barely, but we did it.
00:08 So some improvement, we had a day to prepare, they had a day.
00:12 They beat us here though, cuz they were in Austin and we got here.
00:18 But defensively, some improvement out front,
00:21 ball pressure and ball screen defense, that was good.
00:25 We got our deflection number and we exceeded it by a good number, so
00:31 that was good, I think that caused some of those turnovers, so that was good.
00:35 So improvement there, so happy about that, wish we could have sustained it.
00:42 We seem to have that problem where we kind of give up baskets at the end and
00:45 don't execute offensively when we have some leads.
00:48 So, but it's a win, we need it, we've lost two in a row, and
00:52 you gotta win your home games, we've lost two already.
00:55 So that's two too many, it's all bunched up in that league.
00:59 So I don't know who's playing, who plays out these next couple days, but
01:04 trying to tell our guys, who knows, who knows.
01:08 I've said five, and I think if some people said five, I think six, and
01:11 I thought six possibly, losses is the number.
01:14 But we gotta find a way to get better in these next three days.
01:18 So really moved on to Kansas State, tried to, we'll be off tomorrow,
01:24 but we gotta do some work here to get better.
01:26 Offensively, I thought it came easy to us a little bit, with the 47 in the first
01:30 half, second half a little rush of things and force some things.
01:34 And that's part of our having a lead and not understanding time score and
01:39 making them work and guard us, so we got work to do.
01:43 I'll spend all night trying to figure out how we can get better,
01:47 how we get better tonight and tomorrow as we go into practice on Wednesday.
01:52 >> What went into the decision to put Jameer back?
01:55 >> I mean, it's not, I've said this before a million times,
01:59 and please, I mean, they're so close.
02:02 We actually looked at it a couple days, I was like, I can't believe,
02:04 they're so close, it's ridiculous.
02:06 And we looked up their PPP, which is big in our analytics, so
02:09 we looked up, their numbers were exactly the same.
02:12 So it was 0.864, exactly, that's like, okay, at least I know something.
02:18 I said they're exactly even points, so it's not a big deal.
02:26 They handle it well.
02:27 They're really great kids.
02:29 I just think we can be better defensively with them and
02:33 offensively with them, and I'm working hard to try to,
02:35 they'll be in there watching film tomorrow, tonight probably.
02:39 They'll be in the gym on our off day.
02:42 I mean, they're great kids, and they're smart,
02:48 and but I know we can be better with them.
02:51 And I say that, and their numbers are so much better than last year.
02:54 I mean, their numbers, just the turn of switches, the sign of a point guard.
02:58 So defensively, it's been a battle, a little surprised by that, but
03:03 they can be great defenders, and they're not right now, they're not.
03:07 And that's where it starts out front, but today they were better, and
03:10 that was good for us.
03:11 So I mean, it could be someone else, it could be someone else can start next game.
03:16 We got three guards, we're gonna play 25 minutes a game.
03:19 It starts, we've changed throughout, I don't think it's a big deal.
03:26 >> But defensively, Jermaine did have four blocks.
03:28 How much of his part did he kind of give you on that side of the ball?
03:31 >> Yeah, I, blocks, we got the one at the end.
03:35 I mean, the one we played really good defense, I think,
03:39 out in front of our bench, that was one that was just, it was 30 seconds good
03:42 defense, a horrible shot, didn't have to block it, just you wanna get it.
03:46 So I'm not picking on the blocks, but we just try to keep ball pressure,
03:50 keeping the ball in front, but making passes hard to deliver,
03:55 guarding ball screens, those are the priorities.
03:58 Transition defense, being back and communicating and leading,
04:02 really trying to get our guys to communicate better as a team.
04:04 I guess that's just, I thought we'd get more done in the summer.
04:09 Obviously, but we didn't have Jermaine, then Avery gets hurt in the fall.
04:14 So it's just, we're just not there, and I know where I thought we'd be.
04:18 I know what we got here now.
04:20 Valentine's coming up, I was told, so yeah, it's February 14th or so.
04:27 So what do we got Wednesday, Valentine's?
04:30 I know it's Ash Wednesday.
04:31 >> Ash Wednesday.
04:32 >> Wednesday.
04:32 But we're gonna get better.
04:36 I mean, I'm gonna get them better, and
04:37 that's determined to make them great defenders.
04:41 And that's the goal.
04:45 So both are good, both can be better.
04:48 And that's how I'm looking at it.
04:51 >> Jimmy Jacoby talks a little bit about the work he's done to
04:57 overcome some of the injury stuff he's been dealing with this year.
05:00 How important has he been, especially on the offensive side of the ball,
05:03 these last four games, as it looks like he gets back into it a little bit?
05:05 >> Yeah, I mean, he's what we thought, and we're just,
05:10 I think we laid the late scoring, our offensive numbers have gone up in league,
05:14 which normally doesn't happen.
05:16 But it has, and playing against opponents we play against.
05:20 We need defensive help, we need defensive help, obviously.
05:23 And so that's what I've tried.
05:25 I even talked to him today about being a leader.
05:29 I mean, somehow, he's not our most athletic guy, but
05:35 the defense is not, there's so many things that we can be better at.
05:39 So, but the guy has a feel, as I've told him before.
05:45 It's like I say, he's got a great feel on offense.
05:46 It should translate to some feel on defense.
05:49 And then he knows where people are, he knows where the, he's a great passer.
05:55 He's got a great touch around the basket.
05:58 He can step out, I mean, he's in and out of practice with the foot.
06:04 And so, I mean, it doesn't help continuity and defensive growth for us.
06:11 But we need him out there, and Eson was out.
06:14 So we think five, generally,
06:19 him playing the five doesn't help us defensively, but it helps us offensively.
06:24 So, but our weakness, obviously, is defense right now, and I've gotta get it fixed.
06:30 So I'm looking for volunteers from these guys.
06:35 And I thought Xavier, did we talk about Xavier?
06:37 I can't remember.
06:38 I thought Xavier was really good for us, and numbers,
06:42 offense with that stretch in the second half was really good.
06:48 Getting the ball and playing through him a little bit, and
06:52 playing through even Ernest.
06:54 So we really wanted to get it inside on the offensive end.
06:57 We did enough.
06:58 You may have Mikey got a couple down there, Jacoby got a couple down there, and
07:01 we wanted to score more on the paint.
07:03 At the same time, limiting their numbers in the paint,
07:05 I think we did cut that down significantly.
07:08 Now, they're not in much of a paint production team as some of the teams
07:15 we've played, so that was partly it.
07:17 So we still got work to do.
07:19 >> I mean, how far, how close do you think the team is to being at the defensive level
07:24 you want them to be at?
07:26 >> Long, long way, but we'll never get there.
07:28 Let's get that.
07:29 I mean, when we get here, we wanna do more.
07:31 So that's what it is.
07:34 I mean, just thought we'd be better, but we gotta get it.
07:38 But at the same time, all new guards,
07:42 probably didn't take that into account in the offseason, in practice.
07:49 Summer and fall, I didn't know that going in.
07:54 So we got work to do, but everybody does.
07:59 I mean, everybody does.
08:00 You know what I mean?
08:01 Ain't nobody undefeated at this thing.
08:04 Ain't nobody less than three losses.
08:05 So no one feels great about where they're at.
08:08 And this league beats you up.
08:09 So it's fun though.
08:15 It's fun.
08:16 I mean, you get the best teams in the country coming into your place here.
08:18 So that's good.
08:21 >> So winning's not easy to do, especially in this league.
08:24 You moved into second all time with Billy Tubbs with 156 all time wins here.
08:28 What does that mean to you?
08:29 >> Nothing.
08:31 I mean, I shouldn't have said that.
08:35 I mean, I had no idea.
08:36 As Rich mentioned it, I didn't know.
08:38 He told me that Buster Brannan, I know the names.
08:42 I asked him, I said, did you know Dutch Meyer coached basketball here?
08:44 No one seems to know that.
08:47 But he struggled in hoops, so they still got a statue.
08:51 So I mean, I love this place.
08:56 Probably means more to me cuz I don't know if those guys went there,
09:01 they went to school.
09:03 I don't know, they might have not been in school when they went to school.
09:07 I don't know, but I hate to dismiss it.
09:12 I love this place, that I've been able to be here that many games and
09:17 be here eight years is what means the most to me.
09:20 And I got a chance to come back and try to get this thing to where we're at.
09:26 I wish we had more people tonight.
09:28 But just seeing the atmosphere and what it's become and
09:32 people are talking about us, that's what it's,
09:36 you got to come back and coach your alma mater.
09:40 That's what it means to me, eight years.
09:41 >> Anything else for Coach?
09:45 Okay, thank you.
09:46 >> All right, thank you all.