Getting to Know Terrance McBride
10/25/2021 4:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
RiceOwls.com sat down with this year's Men's Basketball newcomers for a Q&A. The next installment features graduate transfer guard Terrance McBride.
How different was the recruiting process for you this time as opposed to coming out of high school?
"It was drastically different for me. Coming out of high school, I had one school recruit and offer me, Cornell. Coming from Cornell I had a couple of schools that showed a lot more interest, but Rice was definitely on me the hardest. With Coach (Derek), Glasser and Coach (Scott) Pera, they just made it feel like home right away. I think I made the right choice at the end of the day."
Having already spent a few years in college, did you know exactly what you were looking for this time around?
"I did have an idea. I wanted to play in an offense that was a little bit more up tempo. One that gave you a lot more chances to make different plays. I wanted to go somewhere where we had a chance to win. I thought Rice was a place that I could win games and have an impact on the team."
How difficult was the last year with the Ivy League canceling last season?
"At first, it was really difficult. Not having a season. Sitting around and watching a lot of college basketball. But, I think I made the most of that year off. I found things that I could work on in my game and it gave me a lot of time to watch a lot more basketball. I spent a lot of time with family and friends, which was nice. It gave me time to get away a little bit and then refocus myself and hopefully have a good year."
What was it about Rice that stood out to you?
"I think it was the coaching staff. From speaking to Coach Pera and Coach Glasser, who recruited me the most. I just think they had an excitement about the possibility of me coming here and that we could do something special as a unit. Looking at the guys that were here, I saw the way that they played (and) the freedom that they play with. They just looked like they had a lot of fun out there and it was something that I wanted to be a part of."
You've been on campus for a few months now. Has the transition been made easier since Cornell and Rice are similar schools?
"Academically, I think it's been a smooth and easy transition coming from a school like Cornell. As far as socially, I've really been accepted. The guys are wonderful. It's a much smaller campus, which is a little bit weird for me. But, other than that, I've had a great time here so far."
What basketball player do you try to model your game after?
"I don't think there's one particular person that I try to model my game after. I just try to take bits and pieces from guys that I really enjoy watching. I love the way Damian Lillard goes out and plays hard every play. He's kind of like a dog out there on the court. Another guy I really love watching is LeBron (James). Just the way he uses his mind as he's gotten older over time and lost some of his athleticism, you can see the way that he thinks on the court. He's one or two steps ahead of everyone."
What are your goals for the season?
"Team-wise, I want to win as many games as we can. I want to be able to win the conference tournament and make it to the NCAA Tournament. It's something every kid dreams about and I'd like to see that happen. Coming into this year, I just want to make an impact on the team. I want to be a valuable player and just do whatever the coaches ask me to do."
When you are not on the court or dealing with school, what do you like to do in your downtime?
"Mostly just hang out with friends and have a good time. Recently, a couple of guys have picked up bowling, which we do every weekend. That's pretty fun. Other than that, just hang out with friends and have a good time."
What are you listening to before a game?
"On the bus rides, I'll try to slow it down a little bit. I'll listen to a lot of Alicia Keys, maybe some Adele. In pregame in the locker room, maybe a little bit more up tempo like Drake, Meek Mill, or something like that."
What is your favorite television show?
"Power."
What is your favorite color?
"Blue."
Who is your favorite athlete to watch?
"I'd go Damian Lillard. There's something about him. I just love the way he plays."
What is your favorite food?
"Salmon."
What is something you found out about yourself during quarantine?
"I'd say that I value my alone time a lot. I was very comfortable in being alone with my thoughts and jus valuing being by myself. Just having that time to deal with my thoughts."
If you could have dinner with any three people, past or present, who would it be?
"Barack Obama, Jay-Z and LeBron."
How different was the recruiting process for you this time as opposed to coming out of high school?
"It was drastically different for me. Coming out of high school, I had one school recruit and offer me, Cornell. Coming from Cornell I had a couple of schools that showed a lot more interest, but Rice was definitely on me the hardest. With Coach (Derek), Glasser and Coach (Scott) Pera, they just made it feel like home right away. I think I made the right choice at the end of the day."
Having already spent a few years in college, did you know exactly what you were looking for this time around?
"I did have an idea. I wanted to play in an offense that was a little bit more up tempo. One that gave you a lot more chances to make different plays. I wanted to go somewhere where we had a chance to win. I thought Rice was a place that I could win games and have an impact on the team."
How difficult was the last year with the Ivy League canceling last season?
"At first, it was really difficult. Not having a season. Sitting around and watching a lot of college basketball. But, I think I made the most of that year off. I found things that I could work on in my game and it gave me a lot of time to watch a lot more basketball. I spent a lot of time with family and friends, which was nice. It gave me time to get away a little bit and then refocus myself and hopefully have a good year."
What was it about Rice that stood out to you?
"I think it was the coaching staff. From speaking to Coach Pera and Coach Glasser, who recruited me the most. I just think they had an excitement about the possibility of me coming here and that we could do something special as a unit. Looking at the guys that were here, I saw the way that they played (and) the freedom that they play with. They just looked like they had a lot of fun out there and it was something that I wanted to be a part of."
You've been on campus for a few months now. Has the transition been made easier since Cornell and Rice are similar schools?
"Academically, I think it's been a smooth and easy transition coming from a school like Cornell. As far as socially, I've really been accepted. The guys are wonderful. It's a much smaller campus, which is a little bit weird for me. But, other than that, I've had a great time here so far."
What basketball player do you try to model your game after?
"I don't think there's one particular person that I try to model my game after. I just try to take bits and pieces from guys that I really enjoy watching. I love the way Damian Lillard goes out and plays hard every play. He's kind of like a dog out there on the court. Another guy I really love watching is LeBron (James). Just the way he uses his mind as he's gotten older over time and lost some of his athleticism, you can see the way that he thinks on the court. He's one or two steps ahead of everyone."
What are your goals for the season?
"Team-wise, I want to win as many games as we can. I want to be able to win the conference tournament and make it to the NCAA Tournament. It's something every kid dreams about and I'd like to see that happen. Coming into this year, I just want to make an impact on the team. I want to be a valuable player and just do whatever the coaches ask me to do."
When you are not on the court or dealing with school, what do you like to do in your downtime?
"Mostly just hang out with friends and have a good time. Recently, a couple of guys have picked up bowling, which we do every weekend. That's pretty fun. Other than that, just hang out with friends and have a good time."
What are you listening to before a game?
"On the bus rides, I'll try to slow it down a little bit. I'll listen to a lot of Alicia Keys, maybe some Adele. In pregame in the locker room, maybe a little bit more up tempo like Drake, Meek Mill, or something like that."
What is your favorite television show?
"Power."
What is your favorite color?
"Blue."
Who is your favorite athlete to watch?
"I'd go Damian Lillard. There's something about him. I just love the way he plays."
What is your favorite food?
"Salmon."
What is something you found out about yourself during quarantine?
"I'd say that I value my alone time a lot. I was very comfortable in being alone with my thoughts and jus valuing being by myself. Just having that time to deal with my thoughts."
If you could have dinner with any three people, past or present, who would it be?
"Barack Obama, Jay-Z and LeBron."
Players Mentioned
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