NCAA Basketball Power Rankings: Duke, Michigan vie for the top spot

RENO, NV - DECEMBER 15: Cody Martin #11 of the Nevada Wolf Pack and brother Caleb Martin #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack talk to head coach Eric Musselman of the Nevada Wolf Pack during the game between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Lawlor Events Center on December 15, 2018 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /

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HONOLULU, HI – DECEMBER 22: Bane #1 of the TCU Horned Frogs battles. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

25. TCU Horned Frogs

Record: 10-1 (0-0 Big 12)

Last Week: No. 24

TCU is finally healthy and it is clearly making a difference. Kouat Noi and Jaylen Fisher, both of whom missed multiple games to begin this year, seem to be returning to their normal selves and the entire team is better because of it. The Horned Frogs have won their last seven games and only one victory came by less than 10 points (they beat SMU on the road by eight). And while their schedule has not been daunting (204th nationally), they have their fair share of quality wins as well.

Looking ahead to conference play, TCU should be viewed as one of the darkhorse teams to compete near the top of the Big 12. Even with a loss this week, Kansas is still the clear favorite to win the league at this point in time but they have shown vulnerability in recent weeks. TCU’s elite backcourt and depth can compete with just about anyone in the nation and head coach Jamie Dixon knows what it takes to win.

Additionally, there has been an unsung hero for TCU this season that I want to mention. Kevin Samuel, a 6-foot-11 freshman big man, has been superb as a full-time starter for the Horned Frogs. Through this opening portion of the season, Samuel is averaging 8.3 points (on 74.5% shooting), 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in under 20 minutes per game.

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