TCU Horned Frogs
Big 12 (20-13, 7-11)
Despite sitting at the lower end of the Big 12 standings, TCU was not far away from a very good season. The Horned Frogs started the season 12-1. It was a pretty easy non-conference slate, but TCU still won their games. The 7-11 conference record is nothing special, but there were some very close losses, most notably in overtime against Kansas and triple overtime at West Virginia.
Big Wins: 1/5 Baylor (85-81), 2/9 at Iowa State (92-83), 3/9 at Texas (69-56)
Bad Losses: 11/20 Lipscomb (64-73), 2/18 at Oklahoma State (61-68), 2/26 at West Virginia (96-104)
Coach: Jamie Dixon
Why They Can Surprise:
In a conference that boasted some superb defenses, TCU managed to emerge as one of the best offensive threats. Desmond Bane, a 6-5 junior, is the team’s top scorer, averaging 15.2 points per game and connecting on 41.4 percent of his three-point attempts. Point guard Alex Robinson has not been nearly as consistent of a shooter, but he will keep the defense honest with his outside shooting ability and do most of his scoring by attacking the basket. Forwards Kouat Noi and JD Miller can shoot the ball too and this can be a very effective offense with shooters all over the floor.
Why They Can Disappoint:
With a solid defense and a shot blocking threat in Kevin Samuel, TCU has a lot of what it needs to make a tournament run. However, turnovers can be a big problem. Robinson dishes out a ton of assists, but his turnover numbers are a little high and the rest of the team does not always help him out. If TCU can take care of the ball and not give up easy buckets on the other end of the floor, they can be very dangerous.
Probable Starters:
Alex Robinson, Senior, Guard, 12.7 ppg, 7.0 apg
Desmond Bane, Junior, Guard, 15.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.4 apg
Kouat Noi, Sophomore, Forward, 14.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg
JD Miller, Senior, Forward, 10.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg
Kevin Samuel, Freshman, Center, 7.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.0 bpg
Key Role Players:
Kendric Davis, Freshman, Guard, 6.1 ppg
RJ Nembhard, Freshman, Guard, 4.3 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 74.5 (124th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 70.2 (152, 8)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.7 (97, 4)
Field-Goal Defense: 43.0 (127, 9)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.7 (177, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.0 (142, 5)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.0 (237, 5)
Rebound Margin: 2.3 (107, 4)
Assists Per Game: 16.3 (20, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.5 (234, 9)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2018 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Syracuse |
| 2017 | NIT | First Round win over Fresno State |
| 2017 | NIT | Second Round win over Iowa |
| 2017 | NIT | Quarterfinal win over Richmond |
| 2017 | NIT | Semifinal win over UCF |
| 2017 | NIT | Championship win over Georgia Tech |
| 2012 | CBI | First Round win over Milwaukee |
| 2012 | CBI | Quarterfinal loss to Oregon State |
*all team stats through 3/10
