Interview w/ Rice Owls' Head Coach Tina Langley

September 10, 2018

Listen to Tina Langley, Head Coach of the Rice Owls women's basketball program, recap the 2017-'18 season; preview the upcoming 2018-'19 season including the Owls' schedule, the importance of individual work in the summer; the WNBA and more.

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00:18 -- Recap of the 2017-'18 season

02:58 -- The 2018-'19 season

04:04 -- Newcomers on the '18-'19 team

"Most people know we had Nancy Mulkey sit out (last season). She's a transfer to us (from Oklahoma). She'll be joining us this year as well as three freshmen that join us this year.

"The freshmen have done really well. Nancy has been in the system for a year. She's incredibly skilled. Post player. Really can play facing the basket; back to the basket; passes well; scores it well. She does so many things well. I'm excited for everyone to see her play.

"We have Arianna McCurry coming in from California. Post player. Great player. Runs the floor well. Defends. Rebounds. She can score it. An exceptional player.

"Haylee Swayze came from Oklahoma. Big wing. Can really score the ball. Shoot the three. Attack off the bounce. She's a consistent scorer from the perimeter. Really, really athletic and fast. She can defende really well.

"A lot of people know Jasmine Smith from Kinkaid. She's probably one of the best point guards in the country coming out of high school. She's going to make a tremendous impact for us handling the ball / creating for others as well as being able to score from three levels and a really good defender."

06:00 -- Height and depth on this year's team

06:33 -- Individual and small group work

07:36 -- Coaching 6'9" Nancy Mulkey and her skillset

08:45 -- The 2018-'19 schedule and opening against Texas A&M then UCLA

"We wanted to play a tougher schedule. Obviously. And, I believe the only way that you get better as an individual and as a team is to challenge yourself to things that we believe will make you better. And, these teams ill make us better. Everyone of them. It's easy for your eye to go A&M and UCLA; but, I could go through the list with Little Rock and Texas Southern and teams that have consistently gotten into the NCAA Tournament that are also on this schedule that will be just as difficult for us."

09:58 -- Expecations for this year's team

11:21 -- Goals for this year's team

"We've been very up front all along that we wanted to build the program into a team that consistently competes for championships and gets into the NCAA Tournament. And, doesn't just get it but fights to win games. That's been the goal since we arrived."

"We have the talent. We have the depth to potentially reach those goals. But, again, it will be the daily focus for us to be able to get there."

12:34 -- Measuring improvement in player development

13:41 -- Analytics in women's basketball

15:24 -- Assessment of Conference USA this season

16:00 -- Improvement in players this season compared to last season

"I think that's what gives me the most excitement about this season is we have a lot of young women that have put work in this summer and have made significant changes to their game."

16:46 -- Recruiting at Rice

17:33 -- A buzz around campus for Rice athletics

"There's a lot of success that's going on at Rice right now. We're just excited to continue to do our part and move our program forward."

18:35 -- Watching WNBA games / playoffs

19:45 -- Slight adjustments to recruiting rules

20:22 -- Conclusion

"We absolutely love the Houston community; and, it has really embraced the student-athletes and Rice. I urge the community to continue to come out and get to know these young women. They're incredibly hard-working, high character young women that compete so hard on a daily basis.

"We are so grateful of the support that we've had so far and encourage you to bring friends and family. It's going to be a really fun season to be a part of. First, let me say 'Thank you.' for all the support that we've had and really to encourage the city to continue to come out and support these young women."

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