TCU 105, Florida A&M 59 | Jamie Dixon Postgame Press Conference

Summary

The coach reflects on a strong team performance, particularly emphasizing the improvement in assists and reduced turnovers compared to last season. He highlights individual players like Noah and Frankie for their unselfish play, and praises the team's defensive efforts despite some second-half lapses. The coach also discusses the development of guards, and the importance of maintaining consistency, especially in large-margin wins. Looking ahead, he stresses the need for continued improvement in shot selection and free-throw shooting, with preparations focused on the upcoming game against Florida Gulf Coast.

Takeaways

• 😀 The team is focused on improving ball movement, with 29 assists and just five turnovers, which is a big improvement over last season's struggles.
• 😀 Defensive intensity is a priority, especially after building a large lead. The team needs to maintain pressure throughout the entire game to avoid letting opponents back into the game.
• 😀 Turnover reduction has been a key emphasis this season, and the team has done well in the first few scrimmages and exhibitions.
• 😀 The coach highlighted the physicality of the team and its ability to run the floor, which has been a positive in early games.
• 😀 Player development is a priority, with younger players like Noah, Frankie, and Isaiah showing strong progress in key areas like playmaking and defense.
• 😀 The team’s rotation of 10 players is becoming more defined, with guards like Noah and Frankie emerging as unselfish point guards who can control the game.
• 😀 The coach praised the team’s efficiency, especially in shooting percentage and offensive rebounds, marking significant improvement in these areas.
• 😀 The team is committed to balance in scoring, with no single player expected to dominate. They are focusing on making the right decisions during offensive plays.
• 😀 Free-throw shooting is an area for improvement, as the team has struggled to match their strong practice performances in games.
• 😀 The upcoming game against Florida Gulf Coast will require the team to continue their preparation and focus on defensive improvement, as they face new challenges from an opponent with a lot of new players.

Q & A

What was the key takeaway from the coach regarding the team's performance in terms of assists and turnovers?

The coach highlighted that the team's 29 assists were a positive reflection of their unselfish play, and reducing turnovers to just five was a significant improvement compared to last season, where turnovers were a major issue.

How did the team’s defense perform in the game, and what did the coach emphasize regarding their defensive efforts?

The coach praised the team's defense overall, noting that the guards played a big role in setting the tone. However, he pointed out that the team allowed some ease in the second half, as the intensity dropped slightly, and emphasized the need to maintain high defensive pressure even with a big lead.

Which players stood out in terms of playmaking and how did they contribute to the team's success?

Noah and Frankie were highlighted as key playmakers, with Noah contributing 7 assists while taking only 5 shots, showcasing his unselfish play. Frankie, like Noah, has a pass-first mentality and is a significant asset in running the offense.

What is the coach’s perspective on the role of the point guards this season compared to last year?

The coach believes that this year's point guards, Noah and Frankie, are better suited to distributing the ball and setting up plays, contrasting with last season's guards, who were more focused on scoring. Both players have embraced the role of playmaking and are developing as true point guards.

How did the team handle the pressure of a big lead, and what improvements did the coach see since the scrimmages?

The coach noted that while the team handled the big lead well, maintaining intensity was key. He saw improvements in shot selection and defense since the scrimmages, with the team becoming more committed and focused, especially after a tough loss in the preseason.

What were the main areas the coach identified for improvement moving forward?

The coach identified several areas for improvement, including shot selection, defense consistency throughout the game, and free-throw shooting. He expressed concern that while they shoot free throws well in practice, their performance in games hasn't been up to par.

How does the coach view the team’s balance and scoring ability?

The coach emphasized that the team’s success is built on balance, rather than relying on one player to score. He highlighted the importance of making the right decisions based on what the defense gives them, and noted that they can score in various ways.

What does the coach believe is necessary to improve the team's performance in a competitive league?

The coach stressed that to compete in the league, which he considers the best in the country, the team must focus on efficiency, reduce turnovers, and win by larger margins. He pointed out that other teams in the league are already doing this successfully.

What is the coach's outlook on the team's preparation for upcoming games, particularly against Florida Gulf Coast?

The coach is focused on preparing for the next game against Florida Gulf Coast, stressing that while they are still learning about their opponents, they are committed to improving their own game, particularly through film study and continuing their focus on defense and overall efficiency.

What specific areas did the coach feel the team improved from the scrimmage against Texas to this game?

The coach noted improvements in several areas, including better shot selection and defense. He also mentioned that the team’s commitment had increased since the Texas scrimmage, and they were more focused on playing with intensity in both practice and games.