During his weekly press conference, head coach Gregg Marshall talked about freshman guard Jamarius Burton's development and the challenge he and the Shockers will face come Tuesday night against a USF team that ranks among the national leaders in steals. Read on for the transcript.
 

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...an uptick in minutes for Jamarius Burton over the past few games:
"He's played well, of late, when he was given the opportunity... He just kind of out-played the rest of the point guard participants. Obviously, taking care of the basketball is a key for him.... He made a couple of shots against Houston, as I recall, and he defended better. That's a big key for our point guards, as well, is trying to keep the other guard in front."

...Burton taking on some tough defensive assignments against elite scorers:
"He's had some really big assignments, but if you look out there, who else are we going to put on Cumberland or B.J. Taylor or Corey Davis, or those guys? Samajae has size limitations and Dexter seems to be in foul trouble. So it's going to be freshmen on those tremendous players. It's baptism by fire, for sure."

...the biggest adjustment for freshmen guards in finding their rhythm:
"They've got learn to play with the shot clock. That's been an adjustment for (Jamarius), and all freshmen, but especially the point guard. Those are the ones that have to have the clock in their head, be able to see it and react and still get a good shot at the end of the shot clock."

...Tuesday night's opponent, USF:
"Much-improved team. Coach Gregory and his staff have done a great job of getting transfers and freshmen and are probably the most-improved team in our league."

...USF's style:
"Man-to-man (defense). They get fouled a lot. They've gone to the line about 180-something times in six games. By contrast, we've gone, I think 80 times in five games. So a huge discrepancy. They're obviously getting fouled more than normal, so they're being aggressive and driving it. They're good in transition. The kid, Rideau, is a tremendous competitor and a great player. Collins scores it, and they've got a handful of big guys. So a pretty good team and their record is indicative of that."

...Passing the midway point of the regular season schedule:
"I told them yesterday -- 'you're no longer freshmen. You guys have played 300 minutes, some of you. At this point you've had enough basketball experience, so you don't need to wait until next year to say that you're a veteran.' Hopefully the confidence will continue to come."

...Facing yet another ball-hawking team that thrives on steals:
"You've got to make better decisions with the ball. Be able to handle it, dribble it, pass it and make better decisions with it. That will come with confidence, experience, more strength, better coaching. There are a lot of factors."

...Burton's development as a floor general:
"That is an important piece of being able to look like a good team and well-coached team is to have some quality point guard play, because that's the guys who's running the show and orchestrating the music, if you will. Every day out there he seems to get a little better handle on it. He's played some pretty good basketball here of late."