TCU Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Hornfrogs

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 16: The TCU Horned Frogs bench reacts during the second half against the Syracuse Orange in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

2 of 5

Starters

SR Alex Robinson

TCU’s primary ball handler, Robinson averaged 6.1 apg for the team last season. That number actually went up, along with his scoring when Jaylen Fisher went down with an injury. While those seniors received most of the attention, it was the point guard who kept the offense together in 2017-18 and continued the Horned Frogs’ march to the Big Dance. Robinson will likely have to up his individual scoring back up to double figures to help make up for the lost production.

JR Jaylen Fisher

Before going down with a knee injury midway through last season, Fisher was in the middle of a great sophomore campaign, going for 12.3 ppg and 5.4 apg, while shooting over 50% from the field (44% from deep). If healthy, the highest rated recruit in program history will be the favorite to lead the team in scoring. He’s currently out until the start of the season after undergoing a procedure on the same knee, so he may not be himself when the year begins.

JR Desmond Bane

Similarly to Fisher, Bane also had a great sophomore season. He averaged 12.5 ppg and 4.1 rpg on 54% shooting (46% from deep). What will be interesting is how his numbers and efficiency looks now that he’ll be the focal point of the team’s offense and the top player on opponents’ scouting reports. Outside of the two poor games to end last season, Bane showed that he’s capable of being the top option on offense.

SR JD Miller

The rising senior is an interesting piece of the Horned Frogs’ puzzle. He’s been a starter the last two years but hasn’t eclipsed over 20 mpg in either of them. That’s likely to change with the frontcourt pair gone, knowing that Miller‘s rebounding and under the radar offensive ability more needed than ever.

FR Kevin Samuel or JR Yuat Alok

The battle for the starting center position will be between a four-star redshirt freshman in Samuel (redshirted last season) or one of the top JUCO transfers for this season in Alok. The Chipola College star is a better offensive player who shot 44% last season, while Samuel is more of a throwback big man and is a better defender. Regardless of who starts, look for these two to split the minutes, as Dixon’s uses their skill sets when it’s most needed.

Home/TCU Horned Frogs