Matt & Ross In The Morning

Rockets are now 8-0 fighting to keep their spot of the #2 Seed in The West. Brian McTaggart gives the inside look on the Astros and what they plan to do about the early game shakes.

MLB.com's Brian McTaggart joins The Matt Thomas Show with Ross for the start of his weekly segments throughout the Astros season, talking the latest on the Astros roster, who will make the cut, how the rotation shapes up and much more.

How will The Rockets do versus the #1 Defense? Does Cam Smith need to step up for his peers, or should we give Jose Altuve time?

Rockets Are Now 7-0 , Cougars Are In The Tournament, Who Is Your Final 4?

Derek Stingley Jr, Signs Extension, NCAA Brackets Out, Rockets Rolling

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" react to the Texas Longhorns defeating the Aggies in double overtime to advance in the SEC basketball tournament and keep their NCAA tournament hopes alive. Matt and Ross also:

• recap the Cougars advancing in the Big 12 tournament
• comment on long snapper John Weeks signing with the 49ers
• discuss if they are scoreboard watching the Rockets as the playoffs approach.
• say farewell to producer Connor McGovern
• say "I'm Sorry"
• tell their "Non-Florida Stories" and more on this "Anything Goes Friday."

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" preview the Astros split-squad spring training matchups that saw Cam Smith spend some time in right field. Jose Altuve got some more time in left field but was unable to make a catch against the wall versus the Cardinals. Matt and Ross also:

• get real about the Astros with Brian LaLima
• recap the Rockets defeating the Suns to extend their winning streak to four with head coach Ime Udoka
• preview the Houston Cougars in the Big 12 Tournament with Joseph Duarte, University of Houston and Big 12 Conference beat writer for the Houston Chronicle
• say "I Just Don't Get It" and more.

Jalen Green had 29 points while Alperen Sengun scored 20 to lead the Rockets to a 111-104 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. Houston extended their winning streak to four games. "We got back to guarding at a pretty high level," head coach Ime Udoka said. With Jabari Smith Jr. and Fred VanVleet returning to the lineup, the Rockets have been given a boost as the conclusion of the regular season approaches in a tightly contested race for spots 2-5 in the Western Conference. "The luck of being totally healthy throughout the season is unrealistic," Udoka said. "That's the blessing that we have with our team is that we have a lot of interchangeable parts." Houston has seen success in rolling out bigger lineups, intermixing Smith, Sengun and Steven Adams. "Double bigs have been really good for us," Udoka said. "It comes down to a war of will with the bigs and smalls out there and who can take advantage of what." Adams and Suns center Mason Plumlee were ejected before halftime of Wednesday's matchup after the pair wrestled each other to the court. Adams' presence under the basket on both ends of the floor is a major factor in the Rockets leading the league in offensive rebounds, averaging 14.7 per game this season. "In order to be a really good offensive rebounder like [Adams] does, you have to have a great sense of where the ball is going to come off the rim. But it starts with his strength and wedging guys under, carving out that space for himself. A lot of times, he's going to get the ball, but also he commands a double, triple team on the glass, and he allows other guys to clean up and get those opportunities as well," Udoka said. The Rockets host the Mavericks on Friday in the first of a back-to-back as the Bulls will be in the Toyota Center the following night.

Joseph Duarte, University of Houston and Big 12 Conference beat writer for the Houston Chronicle, joined "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" to preview Houston playing in the Big 12 tournament and provide insight into expected seeding as the Cougars compete for a national championship.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" react to news that Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. reached 94 mph in a live BP session at spring training. McCullers said he could make his Grapefruit League debut this season as early as Tuesday. Matt and Ross also:

• debate whether Cam Smith is ready to join the Major League roster
• discuss the dramatic details surrounding the Texans trading offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders
• preview the Rockets hosting the Suns
• tell people to "Shut Yo Bum Ass Up, Ain't Nobody Got Time" and more.