Point guard gaining skill, experience
Longhorns
etta, Ga., has dished out a team-high 23 assists through four games. Her average of 5.8 assists per game ranks No. 1 among Big 12 freshmen and fourth overall. The last true freshman to lead the Longhorns in assists was Carla Cortijo during the 2006-07 season.
Rodrigo’s success has not stopped Aston from challenging her in practice. Entering the season, no one on UT’s roster had college experience at point guard.
Rodrigo and junior transfer Ashley Roberts from South Plains College have alternated at the position.
“Nothing that happens in a game comes from miracles,” Aston said. “It all starts in practice. Point guard is a heated position because everything is on your shoulders.”
This has been a difficult transition year for Rodrigo, who said the team’s summer workout routine — created by strength and conditioning coach Shaun McPherson — was demanding. Players ran with blocking sleds attached to theirs waists. She had seen football players do the drill, but never thought basketball players would be pushed to do the same exercise.
Rodrigo has also endured Aston’s fastpaced practices and a few loud critiques from Aston.
“Coach reminds us to listen to what she says, not how she says it,” Rodrigo said, breaking into a shy grin. About 4,000 children from 46 elementary schools will attend today’s game at the Erwin Center. The field trip will include a tour of the university. ... Texas has a career record of 5-0 against A&M-Corpus Christi. ... Forward Nneka Enemkpali will try to become the first player in team history to record a triple-double in points and rebounds in five straight games.
Players lift weights three times a week. As for the high-intensity workouts designed by Aston and assistant coach Travis Mays, Rodrigo said the players have already benefited from the routines.
“It’s going to be hard for some teams to keep up with our fast pace for two halves,” Rodrigo said.
The only negative mark against Texas so far has been its inability to control the basketball. The Longhorns average 21 turnovers a game, a result of the team’s fast past and careless passing.
“We turn the ball over too much in practice,” Aston said. “All my teams have more turnovers because of the fast tempo we play in, but our unforced errors need to go.”
At 4-0, the Longhorns have reason to feel good about their quick start, but Aston continues to describe her team as “a work in progress.” Rodrigo, for one, needs to create opportunities for open teammates instead of forcing the ball to players who are not in position to make plays.
“Right now, I’m trying to soak up as much experience as I can,” Rodrigo said.