Matt & Ross In The Morning

After going 3-1 in the preseason, the Houston Rockets are ready to host the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday for their first home season opener since 2019. The Rockets finished last season 41-41 after going 22-60 in 2022-23 and look to improve upon that record and make the playoffs, which Houston hasn't done since 2020. General manager Rafael Stone joins "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" to preview the upcoming season and discuss signing Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun to contract extensions as the pair enters the final season of their rookie contracts. "We are a very attractive market," and the Rockets were able to "provide them with some flexibility" with different contract lengths and structures, Stone said. Sengun agreed to a five-year, $185 million extension that includes a player option for the fifth season in 2029-30. Green agreed to a three-year, $106 million extension, which includes a player option for the third year, giving him the ability to opt out of the contract before the 2027–28 season to become a free agent. Green has shown "a much greater level of consistency," Stone said. "You either work hard or you don't, and both [Sengun and Green] definitely do." While both Green and Sengun took big steps forward in their player development last season, many expect the same from younger players such as Amen Thompson. The fourth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft averaged 9.5 ppg and 6.6 rpg last season and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. "He's just blessed with athletic gifts that no one has," and "I think he's going to be a huge part of what we do every game." Rookie Reed Sheppard started four games at the NBA Summer League in Vegas, averaging 20.0 ppg, and has earned an established role in the Rockets rotation. "I think he's going to play right away," Stone said. "He's not a static guy on defense" because "he's trying to make plays."

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" react to the Houston Rockets signing Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun to contract extensions ahead of their season opener against the Charlotte Hornets. Matt and Ross also:

• give closing remarks on the Texans' loss to the Green Bay Packers
• preview the biggest SEC matchups of the week
• predict the top headlines of the Astros' offseason
• give their latest "Gut Feelings"
• recap Week 7 in "Ross' NFL Rewind" and more

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" react to the Houston Texans losing to the Green Bay Packers 24-22 on Sunday at Lambeau Field. Brandon McManus made a 45-yard field goal in his Packers debut to seal the victory. Matt and Ross also:

• discuss the various reactions to Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson suffering a season-ending ruptured Achilles tendon
• recap the Texas Longhorns losing to the Georgia Bulldogs
• preview the World Series matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees
• listen to DeMeco Ryans' latest comments about Sunday's loss
• break down the controversy surrounding the WNBA Finals
• evaluate Jalen Green's contract extension with the Rockets
• play "To Tell the Truth" and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" preview the Houston Texans traveling to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers. Doug Russell, sports director at 97.3 The Game in Milwaukee, joins to provide some insight into the Packers, who are coming off a 34-14 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Matt and Ross also:

• React to the Cleveland Guardians hitting a walk-off homer to take Game 3 of the ALCS
• Recap the Rockets defeating their Spurs in their final preseason matchup
• Discuss Virginia men's basketball coach Tony Bennett announcing his retirement due to the "current environment" in college athletics
• Tell their "Non-Florida Stories" and more on this "Anything Goes Friday"

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" react to the latest comments from former Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker regarding his past battles with the front office. Matt and Ross also discuss:

• the Rockets final preseason matchup
• the Texans dealing with multiple injuries on defense
• the Cougars taking on Kansas with head coach Willie Fritz
• the worst NFL teams in "Ross' Rotten Five"
• the best fantasy football advice with Dr. Roto
• how much it costs to donate plasma and more

Following a strong win over TCU, the Houston Cougars are coming off a bye week and looking to earn another important victory on the road against the Kansas Jayhawks this Saturday. Head coach Willie Fritz announced earlier this week that Zeon Chriss would be the starting quarterback going forward, and Fritz joins "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" to discuss the decision. "We just wanted to get a spark," Fritz said. Chriss completed 15 of 18 passes for 141 yards but also rushed for 97 yards on 11 carries in the 30-19 victory over TCU. Chriss will attempt to replicate that success at Arrowhead Stadium and help the Cougars obtain their third win of the season.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" react to the Houston Texans trading running back Cam Akers and a conditional 2026 seventh-round draft pick to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a conditional 2026 sixth-round draft pick. Matt and Ross also discuss:

• Founder and owner of the Houston Oilers Bud Adams being named a candidate in the Contributor category for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025
• The largest salaries for college football head coaches
• Tom Brady becoming a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders
• Rookie Reed Sheppard standing out in the Rockets preseason home debut
• Their recent displeasures in "Shut Yo Bum Ass Up, Ain't Nobody Got Time" and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" react to NFL star wide receivers on the move as the Jets traded for Davante Adams and the Bills traded for Amari Cooper. Matt and Ross also discuss:

• three Astros players being nominated as Gold Glove finalists
• Jerry Jones arguing with Dallas sports radio hosts about the Cowboys' struggles
• the Rockets hosting the Pelicans for their first preseason home game
• Texans defensive tackle Mario Edwards receiving a four-game suspension
• the Longhorns hosting the Georgia Bulldogs
• their latest Gut Feelings and more

Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross," alongside Chris Gordy of Next Up and Adam Clanton of The A-Team, discuss the Houston Texans defeating the New England Patriots 41-21 on Sunday for the franchise's first win at Gillette Stadium. C.J. Stroud threw for three touchdown passes, one of which was to Joe Mixon, who rushed for 102 yards. Dameon Pierce recorded a 54-yard touchdown run in his return to the field. Will Anderson Jr. led the defense with a career-best three sacks to spoil Drake Maye's NFL debut. Ross also recaps the latest college football matchups, previews the AL and NL championship series, discusses the Texas Longhorns hosting the Georgia Bulldogs the same weekend Foruma 1 is racing at Circuit of the Americas and more.