This past weekend, National Hoopfest came to the metroplex. A high school basketball showcase that features some of the best teams locally, taking on some of the top teams nationally. As you would imagine, there was scouts and coaches aplenty, including TCU head man Jamie Dixon. Thankfully, Coach Dixon was kind enough to take the time to answer some questions I had for him. 

 

Q: “How are you doing today coach?”

A: “Good, good. We just had a good practice and now we are getting ready for Texas Southern, and we just finished up our finals here, and we are pretty happy with out grades, so guys are really working hard.”

 

Q: “Coach I would imagine that showcases like these are something you are a fan of given that all this talent is collected in one place. What are your thoughts on that?”

A: “Yeah I mean obviously it’s good, we practiced today so I got over here as quick as I could to see the last couple games. My assistant Corey Barker was here for the early morning games, so it’s a good event. Any time you get to see five good games, it’s well worth it.”

 

Q: “You guys are still undefeated on the year correct?”

A: “Yes.”

 

Q: “So how would you assess your teams play thus far?”

A: “You know we have gotten better. I thought we had two tough games last week with two highly ranked teams, Nevada being in the top 25. We played good, had big leads, but I think we could have finished better is the biggest thing. We are working on our defense, our offense has been good, we are averaging almost 90 points per game, one of the most efficient teams in the country. So defense is really where have got to improve some things, offensively the biggest thing would probably be cutting down on some turnovers.” 

 

Q: “Obviously, you used to coach in the Big East and that conference has pretty much evaporated. How do you feel about that conference realignment? because a lot of people would say it’s bad for college basketball.”

A: “Well i don’t know. College basketball is doing just fine. We just had a little movement, and there is nothing wrong with that. It has happened for the entire history of college athletics and it will happen again. The Big East was great, it’s still a good conference, not what it was, but certainly the ACC got stronger with the team changes with Pitt and Louisville. But you know I ended up in the Big 12 which has become the best conference by RPI three out of the last four years and this year I think it’s still leading again. When you are in the Power 5, you are going to play good people, we know we are and in the end it all balances out.”

 

Q: “With programs like yours, SMU, and even UTA on the come up, what do you think that says about the recruiting pool in this area?”

A: “I mean you have got some stable programs. You got some good players in the area, that was part of my reason for coming down here, I really thought the population was growing, and more and people were coming this way and that better players would be coming out of the metroplex, as well as Texas. It’s part of it, it’s something we recognize, and are looking at, but there are good players everywhere, and it’s an international game so we go overseas as well.

 

Q: “You know the game is moving towards that position-less style basketball, what are your thoughts on that?” 

A: “I don’t really know what the means. I know a lot of people use that phrase because it’s kind of the thing to say now, but I mean you have got to guard people. There are point guards out there, guys that handle, usually position-less means they don’t do something real well. We want guys that can shoot, pass, and dribble, but they have got to be able to guard, and that usually determines who they have to guard and what position they are. Everyone always wants to talk about position, but they don’t want to take about defense and that’s 50 percent of the game. So, it’s a nice little phrase, it’s a nice little saying, but I don’t think it’s vindictive of the game.”