NCAA Basketball: 2019 Big 12/SEC Challenge preview

Florida Gators at TCU Horned Frogs

The TCU Horned Frogs will have their hands full as they look to avenge a bitter defeat in last year’s challenge. Still, they earned an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament, falling in the first round to the Syracuse Orange.

Head coach Jamie Dixon is losing six seniors but he also has some redshirted foreign talent waiting in the wings in Lat Mayen, Angus McWilliam and Kevin Samuel. Add the additions of three freshmen and one of the top JUCO centers in the nation and the Horned Frogs could be looking at another 20-win season.

The Florida Gators are another team that will have a slew of highly-rated freshmen prospects on full display in 2018-19. By the time the Big 12/SEC Challenge arrives, freshmen point guard Andrew Nembhard, shooting guard Noah Locke and small forward Keyontae Johnson could be household names for the Gators.

Each player brings their own dynamic to the mix. Nembhard brings his point guard pedigree. Locke brings size as well as solid scoring ability at the guard position. Johnson brings athleticism and versatility on the wing.

This game should be a fun one to watch with both teams having the potential to be ranked by the time they meet. It is also their first meeting since 1986.