Matt & Ross In The Morning

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka joins The Matt Thomas Show to review the Rockets defeating the San Antonio Spurs 103-101 Tuesday to earn four straight road wins. The Rockets beat the Sacramento Kings 112-104 Sunday, but in the final minutes of the game, Alperen Şengün challenged King's center Domantas Sabonis in a transition play that resulted in an awkward fall for Şengün who was taken to the locker room in a wheelchair. X-rays and MRI show that Şengün suffered a severely sprained ankle and a bruised knee that will not require surgery but will keep him out of the lineup for at least a couple of weeks. Amen Thompson joined the starting lineup against the Spurs and Jabari Smith Jr. moved to center on Tuesday. "Amen can guard 1-4" and "we feel we can play him in any lineup," Udoka said. Jock Landale has also seen increased minutes due to Şengün's injury. Şengün had a "phenomenal year" and "he took the biggest step," but Landale is "playing at a high level and we need it with Alpy being out," Udoka said. After losing to the Spurs in October, the Rockets have won the last three meetings, holding Victor Wembanyama to an average 14.8 points per game in those four matchups. Wembanyama is "adapting quickly and the talent is there," but the Rockets have been able to "take away his space and get him off his spots." The Rockets will host the Washington Wizards on Thursday.

Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show and Dan Mathews of The A-Team react to breaking news across the NFL as free agency begins with the opening of the legal tampering period. The Minnesota Vikings and Jonathan Greenard have agreed to a four-year, $72 million contract. Blake Cashman also agreed to a deal with the Vikings at a value of three-years, $25.5 million. The Texans were rumored to be in talks with many current free agents, two of which being defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and running back Saquon Barkley. However, Wilkins is expected to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders and Barkley has reached an agreement with the Philadelphia Eagles. Will Texans general manager Nick Caserio make any significant moves this offseason? Ross and Dan discuss Rockets center Alperen Şengün getting injured in a win over the Sacramento Kings, review Astros pitcher Framber Valdez striking out four batters in four innings in a spring training matchup against the Detroit Tigers and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Rockets losing 122-116 against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday at the Toyota Center. The Rockets had a successful first half, leading as high as 20-points, but disappointed in the second half as Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and James Harden of the Clippers all finished with more than 20 points. The Astros return to spring training action on Thursday after their matchup against the Mets the previous day was rained out. The Astros face-off against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, and Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins to give a live update. Matt and Ross discuss Texans tight end Dalton Schultz explaining the differences between playing for the Texans and for the Cowboys, celebrate Cougars men's basketball clinching a share of the regular-season Big 12 title, react to Dartmouth men's basketball voting to become the first unionized college sports team in the U.S., break down former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson agreeing to fight Jake Paul at AT&T Stadium, exclaim "I Just Don't Get It" and more.

Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins The Matt Thomas Show to break down the Houston Astros playing the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter. The Astros return to spring training action after their matchup against the Mets on Wednesday was rained out. Pitcher Ronel Blanco had four strikeouts and only allowed one hit during a three-inning start against the Marlins. "I think he has a good shot to make the team out of the bullpen," McTaggart said. J.P. France entered camp with shoulder discomfort but was able to face live batters for the first time this spring on Wednesday. "I think we'll see him get in some games," but it's "just a matter of building up that pitch count." After the Astros announced Justin Verlander would be placed on the injury list to start the season, pitching prospect Spencer Arrighetti has been receiving more attention, and McTaggart thinks Arrighetti will be "in the big leagues sometime this year." As Opening Day nears, McTaggart notes that starting center fielder Jake Meyers "looks more comfortable then he's been in previous years," and Yordan Álvarez will mostly fill the designated-hitter position, but "we'll see a lot more guys rotate through."

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show jump on the airwaves after the Houston Astros spring training matchup against the New York Mets was cancelled due to inclement weather. The Astros will take on the the St. Louis Cardinals tomorrow. The Rockets defeated the San Antonio Spurs 114-101 Tuesday at the Toyota Center. Head coach Ime Udoka joins to break down center Alperen Şengün's career-high 45 points, along with 16 rebounds, three assists and five steals, as well as preview tonight's matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. Matt and Ross react to the Texans re-signing kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn to a three-year, $15.9 million deal, tell people to "Shut Yo Bum Ass Up" and "Ain't Nobody Got Time" and more.

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka joins The Matt Thomas Show to recap the Rockets defeating the San Antonio Spurs 114-101 Tuesday at the Toyota Center. Center Alperen Şengün had a career-high 45 points, along with 16 rebounds, three assists and five steals. Udoka praised Dillon Brooks' defensive efforts and Amen Thompson's toughness. Thompson got tangled up with Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan and both players received technical fouls. "I don't mind the physicality" because "we have a competitive group that's not going to back down from anybody," Udoka said. Udoka also commented on the "natural feeling" he uses to decide when to call timeouts and backup center Jock Landale's increased minutes during the last-third of the season.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Rockets earning a win on the road against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday and snapping their three-game losing streak. Astros center fielder Jake Meyers has showed early success in four Grapefruit League games, going 2-for-6 with four walks and a double. Pitcher Justin Verlander reported to camp two weeks behind schedule due to a shoulder injury; however, Verlander was able to throw 60 pitches in the bullpen on Sunday. Verlander has yet to face live batting, so will he be ready for Opening Day? Matt and Ross celebrate Cougars men's basketball remaining in the No. 1 spot on the AP Top 25, react to Johnny Manziel saying he will boycott the annual Heisman Trophy ceremony until former USC running back Reggie Bush gets his trophy back, play "To Tell the Truth" and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show review the Houston Rockets losing 105-110 to the Suns at Phoenix. Rookie Cam Whitmore and Suns guard Devin Booker got into a heated exchange and shoving match after Booker hit his sixth three midway through the fourth quarter. Booker was called for a foul while both players received technicals. Shortly after the scuffle, Alperen Şengün was ejected after receiving a second technical for complaining about a foul call. The Suns will host the Rockets again on Saturday. Shohei Ohtani shocked the baseball world and the Los Angeles Dodgers after he announced his marriage via Instagram on Thursday. Ohtani was reluctant to provide details, saying through an interpreter "I don't really feel comfortable talking about when I got married exactly, but she's a normal Japanese woman." Matt and Ross recap Astros pitcher Framber Valdez struggling in his spring training debut against the Washington Nationals, react to NFL prospect Tyler Owens telling media at the NFL Combine that he doesn't believe in space, break down rumors of running back Saquon Barkley coming to the Texans in free agency, tell their Non-Florida Stories and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show review the NFL Players Association Report Card for the Houston Texans. According to the players' union, the Texans remain "a high-quality organization to work for as a player" and ranked highly in the food services, head coach and dietician categories. As the Astros continue to participate in spring training matchups, much attention is on third baseman Alex Bregman who will become a free agent at the end of this upcoming season. Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins to give an update on when the Astros will make an extension offer, as well as other players preparing for Opening Day. The Rockets are in Phoenix to take on the Suns tonight, and Rockets head coach Ime Udoka joins to preview the Western Conference contest and the possibility of guard Jalen Green missing his first game of the season. Matt and Ross review Texans general manager Nick Caserio's latest comments from the NFL Scouting Combine, say "Shut Yo Bum Ass Up, Ain't Nobody Got Time" and more.

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka joins The Matt Thomas Show to preview the first of two consecutive games against the Suns in Phoenix. The last time these Western Conference teams met, the Rockets hosted the Suns and beat them 114-110. However, tonight's rematch could be the first time this season the Rockets are without guard Jalen Green in the lineup, who is currently listed as questionable with illness. "Health is premium for our guys," Udoka said. Nevertheless, Udoka is confident in rookie Amen Thompson's ability to step up if Green is out. Despite winning over the Suns on February 23, the Rockets struggled to guard center Bol Bol, who scored 25 points, and even faced difficulty with Chet Holmgren in their last two games against the Oklahoma City Thunder. These long centers "are playing a lot on the perimeter," but "the game has changed and you really have to adapt with it." The Rockets' last two games were against the Thunder, and the next two are against the Suns. However, Udoka is not opposed to playing opponents back-to-back. "There are some benefits to it," and it gives "a little bit of a playoff atmosphere."