Senior guard Darian Thibodeaux leads UH in minutes per game for a second season, and is connecting on 46 percent of his shots from three-point range. | Aaron Cisneros/The Daily Cougar
Q: It may be your second year with the team, but you’re considered more of a leader now. What has that new role been like?
A: The team views me as a big brother. You automatically lead having that big brother-little brother relationship. A lot of these guys look for me to lead and show them the ropes. Coach Dickey does the same.
Q: Do you enjoy the new responsibilities or is it increased pressure?
A: It’s something I’m liking. I’m used to it because I have a younger brother.
Q: He had to wait a year, but freshman guard Joseph Young is getting his chance to play. Do you feel like he is prepared for the opportunity?
A: He’s ready. He’s hungry and shows it every day. He hustles and comes out and competes hard every day. His hard work shows. He’s learning more aspects of the game as far as defense and playing without the ball.
Q: What is Joe like when you aren’t playing basketball?
A: He’s a goofy kid. Very, very silly. He’s like my little brother.
Q: There were a few times last season when head coach James Dickey would keep calling timeouts and intentionally fouling even if the game was out of reach. What did you learn from that?
A: I’ll say the biggest thing I learned was to never give up. Stay with it even when games get tough or when it looks out of reach. Just keep playing all the way until the end. In those situations, that’s just a true coach showing. Just never give up and play to the last horn. That’s what being a championship coach is. He has a championship personality overall.
Q: Being a Dallas native how would you compare it to living in Houston?
A: Houston is similar to Dallas, but I love home. I’m not going to compare them like that.
