Busting Brackets
Fansided

Big 12 Basketball: Kansas State, Texas Tech leads before conference tournament

By Jason Kinander

AMES, IA - MARCH 9: Texas Tech Red Raiders Tariq Owens #11, Davide Moretti #25, Deshawn Corprew #3, Kyler Edwards #0 run off the court after defeating the Iowa State Cyclones 80-73 in the second half of play at Hilton Coliseum on March 9, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. The Texas Tech Red Raiders won 80-73 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - MARCH 9: Texas Tech Red Raiders Tariq Owens #11, Davide Moretti #25, Deshawn Corprew #3, Kyler Edwards #0 run off the court after defeating the Iowa State Cyclones 80-73 in the second half of play at Hilton Coliseum on March 9, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. The Texas Tech Red Raiders won 80-73 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /
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LAWRENCE, KANSAS – JANUARY 09: Kouat Noi #12 of the TCU Horned Frogs drives the ball on a fast break during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse on January 09, 2019 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KANSAS – JANUARY 09: Kouat Noi #12 of the TCU Horned Frogs drives the ball on a fast break during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse on January 09, 2019 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

7. TCU Horned Frogs (19-12, 7-11)

The Good

TCU’s expectations were relatively high heading into the season, but they failed to live up to their preseason top-25 status. This wasn’t all the Horned Frogs fault, but the 2018-19 season certainly didn’t go as smoothly as it should have.

However, the play of TCU’s freshmen was a major bonus as conference play went on. Freshman center Kevin Samuel emerged as a future star, and freshman guard Kendric Davis flashed some serious potential in big minutes off the bench.

The Bad

The Horned Frogs were not at all consistent at any point in conference play, but they managed to perform against good teams. TCU swept Texas and Iowa State, with three of the four games coming in must-win scenarios.

Easily the biggest disappointment of the season was the status of the roster. TCU finished the season with just eight scholarship players, as four (!!) players transferred, including star point guard Jaylen Fisher.

The Bottom Line

TCU finished the season firmly on the bubble, and the Horned Frogs need to win at least one, and likely two games in the Big 12 Tournament to seal a second-consecutive tournament berth. All-in-all, Jamie Dixon’s group performed well under the circumstances, but the losses simply cannot be ignored. TCU has major Cinderella potential considering the star power of Alex Robinson and JD Miller, but they have to get to the Big Dance before any of that can happen.

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