Matt & Ross In The Morning

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show react to country music singer Ingrid Andress' heavily criticized rendition of the national anthem, talk with Chris Gordy of Next Up live from SEC Media Days about the future of college football, discuss the Rockets sitting at 2-1 in the NBA Summer League with head coach Garrett Jackson, review Jalen Brunson's decision to take a pay cut with his latest contract extension, reminisce on their worst sports takes, give their latest "Gut Feelings" and more.

Garrett Jackson, Summer League head coach and assistant coach of the Houston Rockets, joins The Matt Thomas Show as the Rockets are 2-1 so far in the NBA Summer League. Reed Sheppard, the third overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, has averaged 20 points and 4.7 assists in his first three games with the Rockets. Sheppard "always seems kind of calm" with the ball and his "poise" is one of his biggest strengths, but "he could be more vocal" on the court, Jackson said. Cam Whitmore, the reigning Summer League MVP, recorded a game-high 25 points against the Washington Wizards on Sunday. It's "good to see [Whitmore] kind of grow in that leadership role." Despite a 87-73 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Monday, newly acquired AJ Griffin had a positive impact with 18 points and five rebounds. The goal for Summer League is that "you want to get everybody's feet wet...and give them a little bit of structure," but also step aside and let the younger players develop their game. The Rockets will face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday. "I expect Reed [Sheppard] to play more," but "I think Cam [Whitmore] is done."

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Texas Rangers defeating the Houston Astros 4-2 on Sunday to win the three-game series. However, the Astros are only one game back from the lead in the AL West heading into the All-Star break. Matt and Ross debate who they think the Astros MVP is so far this season, review Rockets No. 3 overall pick Reed Sheppard's performance in his first two NBA Summer League games, react to the chaos at the Copa América final and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show discuss the current state of the Houston Astros, who hold a 50-46 record heading into the All-Star break. Despite the series loss to the Texas Rangers, the Astros are only one game back from the lead in the AL West. With more than half of the season already played, who is the Astros MVP, biggest disappointment, best surprise and player most in need of improvement so far this year?

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Astros completing the sweep over the Miami Marlins with a 6-3 victory on Thursday. Jake Bloss joins to review his second career Major League start after returning from the injured list. Matt and Ross also preview the Rockets beginning the NBA Summer League tournament with a matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, tell their "Non-Florida Stories" and more on this Anything Goes Friday.

Houston Astros pitcher Jake Bloss joins The Matt Thomas Show following a 6-3 victory over the Miami Marlins on Thursday to complete the series sweep. Bloss allowed two runs on four hits and one walk over four innings while striking out four in his first start since returning for the injured list. "I was definitely getting the itch to get back" and "everything right now feels 100%," Bloss said. The 23-year-old's second career Major League start began by giving up a solo homer to Bryan De La Cruz in the second at-bat of the game; however, Bloss settled in with two scoreless innings before Shawn Dubin opened up the fifth. There is still "a lot of room to grow." Bloss also discusses getting advice from Astros veterans, improving his curveball and how his multiple degrees helps him utilize baseball analytics.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show review the Houston Astros defeating the Miami Marlins 9-1 on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park. Framber Valdez allowed one run on six hits and a walk while striking out 10 over seven innings. The Astros have a chance to complete a series sweep over the Marlins on Thursday with Jake Bloss starting on the mound. Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins to discuss the Astros approaching the MLB trade deadline and Jose Altuve opting out of the All-Star game. Matt and Ross react to U.S. men's national soccer coach Gregg Berhalter getting fired, recap the USA men's basketball team defeating Canada in an exhibition match, say "I Just Don't Get It" and more.

Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins The Matt Thomas Show after the Astros defeated the Miami Marlins 9-1 on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park. Framber Valdez allowed one run on six hits and a walk while striking out 10 over seven innings. The Astros have a chance to complete a series sweep over the Marlins on Thursday with Jake Bloss starting on the mound. As the MLB trade deadline approaches on July 30, the Astros have an opportunity to fill some gaps on the roster, especially at first base and the pitching rotation. "They want to add a bat," but the Astros "can't continue giving away their top prospects year after year," McTaggart said. "In a way there are some untouchables" within the organization, so "they're going to have to find another way to get a deal done." During the conversation, news breaks that Jose Altuve will miss the All-Star Game. Altuve would "rather just stay home and heal up for the second half" of the season. McTaggart also discusses the latest updates on Justin Verlander, Lance McCullers Jr. and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show review the Houston Astros defeating the Miami Marlins 4-3 on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park. Ronel Blanco allowed two runs in seven innings, extending the Astros home winning streak to seven games. Hader walked one and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save. Matt and Ross react to Lance McCullers Jr. suffering a setback in his rehab from injury, talk with Joseph Duarte, University of Houston beat writer for the Houston Chronicle, about the upcoming Big 12 football season, discuss Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard dropping out of the Olympics, tell people to "Shut Yo Bum Ass Up, Ain't Nobody Got Time" and more.

Joseph Duarte, University of Houston beat writer for the Houston Chronicle, joins The Matt Thomas Show from the Big 12 Football Media Days in Las Vegas to preview the Cougars 2024 season. 
The Cougars "have an extremely tough schedule" in Willie Fritz's first year as head coach in Houston. 
Duarte also discusses the search for the new athletic director at the University of Houston, the expansion of the Big 12, sponsorship opportunities and more.