Quick Hits: Biggest Challenges, Battle's Waiver, Depth Concerns + More

Biggest challenge right now with this team

"I think I touched on it early that it was going to be an issue and it did become an issue and that's our defensive rebounding. We've drilled that and drilled that and hopefully got through to them that before we run out, we got to check our man. It's a give or take especially when you're trying to score early and get out in transition but we certainly got to do the job on the defensive rebounding side of things before we run out and not put all the pressure on one or two guys."

The NCAA denying RaeQuan Battle's waiver

"I was very disappointed. I wouldn't say I was shocked with their result because it seems like a lot of these are being denied. Then it seems like your success rate has more to do with the appeal process. I thought there was no holes in it and it was a sure-win thing for RaeQuan but I still am very optimistic that they're going to do right by him. A new fresh set of eyes will probably help that case."

Keeping Battle in good spirits

"That's probably the biggest challenge for me. RaeQuan is such a great individual and a great teammate and a very positive person despite all the challenges he's had in his life. RaeQuan, and I've said this over and over, needs basketball in his life. He really does. If he loses some of that optimism, I worry for him. I have conversations with him daily and certainly it is a challenge for his mental health to not be able to compete but I'm never going to leave his side."

What the team looks like so far

"I think when we're our best, we're really sharing the basketball. When we're really true to our spacing and our concepts offensively, we're really good. When that breaks down and people get a little bit selfish and try to force things, we're not nearly the basketball team. Offensively, I feel like our identity is coming. Defensively, it's got a long ways to go. Offensively we're probably a little bit further ahead."

If this can be a competitive team in the Big 12

"It's going to be tough becasue of the depth. Certainly a lot of the teams in the Big 12 have. alot more athleticism than we do and they probably have a lot more depth. Do we have Big 12-caliber players? I would say probably half our roster is right now. Can the bottom half of the roster develop to where tehy're contributing in the Big 12 and help us win games in the Big 12. They absolutely have the ability to do so but right now, we have really seven or eight guys that can compete in the Big 12."

Attorney General Says NCAA's Decision 'Raises Serious Legal Issues That Demand Answers'

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