Rodney Terry highlights defensive change, play of Sir'Jabari Rice off the bench

Texas and Miami are locked in a heated battle early on in their Elite Eight matchup. Neither the Longhorns nor the Hurricanes have been able to create much of a gap since Rodney Terry’s team tied things up at nine.

Even so, Texas has found a bit of a groove with how they’ve changed things on the defensive end. In an interview with Tracy Wolfson, Terry said they’re trying to put extra emphasis on keeping Miami outside of the paint and the lane.

“We had to have better one on one defense,” Terry said. “They were doing a great job of attacking the paint. And we need to keep those guys out of the paint.”

After that, he said the improved offense came straight from graduate guard Sir’Jabari Rice. Early on, he already has eight of Texas’ points. However, Terry said none of that is a surprise considering the energy he has given the Longhorns from off the bench the entire year.

“Jabari’s done that all year long. He’s come in and given us a good spark all year,” Terry said.

This game is long from over as we get closer to halftime. Even so, Texas has been able to find a better footing based on some of the changes Terry highlighted with Wolfson on the broadcast.

CBS Sports provides update from Texas AD on coaching search, delay in Terry hiring decision

Texas interim head coach has the Longhorns on the cusp of the Final Four this season. Still, the program hasn’t made any decision on his future. During the first half of their showdown against Miami, CBS Sports’ Tracy Wolfson broke down the reason for the delay in his hiring — pointing to athletic director Chris Del Conte as the primary reason that no offer has been made to Terry yet.

“Interim head coach Rodney Terry is trying to take Texas to the Final Four for the first time in 20 years. But many are wondering why he has not been named the permanent head coach,” said CBS‘s Tracy Wolfson. “Well, Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte is on hand today. I had a chance to speak with him before the game. He told me he does not discuss coaching situations until the season is complete. And he is staying true to that.

“Rodney Terry told me yesterday though, the administration has been great. He’s just living in the moment — taking it one game at a time.”