Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: West Virginia falls, Iowa State surprises to start out season

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 06: Devon Dotson #11 of the Kansas Jayhawks dribbles the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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AMES, IA – FEBRUARY 21: JD Miller #15 of the TCU Horned Frogs goes up for a shot as Zoran Talley Jr. #23 of the Iowa State Cyclones defends in the second half of play at Hilton Coliseum on February 21, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. TCU Horned Frogs won 89-83 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

6. TCU Horned Frogs (3-0)

Preseason rank: 7

Ranked to start the season, TCU has managed to stay unbeaten despite not having two starters on the court. Junior guard Jaylen Fisher and sophomore forward Kouat Noi are both dealing with knee issues that’s been keeping them from playing. However, both are expected to suit up soon, giving the Horned Frogs added depth.

In the meantime, TCU has been relying on the upperclassmen to lead the way. Junior Desmond Bane has been the early MVP so far, leading the team with 19.7 ppg and 6.3 rpg. Senior guard Alex Robinson has been picking up the slack in Fisher’s absence, scoring 16.0 ppg and dishing out 8.7 apg.

The biggest surprise might be how well redshirt center Kevin Samuel has been playing so far. The former top-100 recruit is averaging 9.7 ppg and a team-leading 8.7 rpg. With Kenrich Willians and Vladimir Brodziansky both gone, the frontcourt production was a concern coming into the season. Once Noi returns, it becomes more of a strength than a weakness as long as Samuel continues to play well.

Outside of Bane, Robinson, and senior JD Miller, the rotation is filled with first-year D-I players. For now, the goal for TCU is surviving and advance while waiting for reinforcements for the bigger matchups coming up.

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