Never A Dull Moment For Shaka Smart With Growing Texas

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Texas might not be exactly where Shaka Smart wants it yet, but the second-year head coach still has it heading in the right direction. Young talent makes this team exciting, and it's a big reason why the Longhorns were picked to finish third in the Big 12 Conference this season.

“I think we're still a ways away from where we ultimately want to be,” Smart said during Tuesday's Big 12 Media Day. “In some ways, this year's team has maybe more of the makeup that we want to have, but at the same time, we have a long way to go from a standpoint of maturity, growth, understanding of what truly goes into winning.

“But I do like the fact that we're highly competitive. I think everything starts there, regardless of how you play, style of play-wise, you have to have a level of competitiveness and a level of fight. Our guys have shown that in practice. I've been really pleased with the results there in practice. But now when you get in the game, how are you able to put it together against another team? That will be a really fun process for us.”

FloHoops’ Brett Regan spoke with Smart at the Sprint Center on Tuesday.