Big 12 Basketball Tournament: Key storylines for TCU vs Oklahoma State

2. The Battle between big men Kevin Samuel and Cameron McGriff

With two teams as thin as Oklahoma State and TCU, unsung heroes have played big roles in both teams seasons.

For the Cowboys, it has been Cameron McGriff. The junior forward has emerged as a big time difference-maker for Oklahoma State, averaging 12.4 points and seven rebounds per game.

For TCU, the big surprise at the big man position was even more unexpected. Freshman center Kevin Samuel has made waves in his freshman campaign, taking over the starting center position and averaging seven points and seven boards per game.

However, both players have tended to disappear at times in certain games. The offenses of either teams don’t exactly run through the forward/center position, therefore it has been difficult for McGriff and Samuel to make constant impacts. Although when they are on, they are on.

In Wednesday’s game, the play of both big men will be absolutely vital to the outcome. McGriff is one of the top players on the Cowboys, and will need to be potent in the paint, both in scoring and in rebounding.

On the Horned Frogs’ side, Samuel will need to perform higher than the numbers say. Samuel has serious double-double potential, and that just might be what it’ll take in order for TCU to pull off the big win.

Both Samuel and McGriff expect to enter expanded roles next season, but they’ll need to finish up this season first. Samuel certainly won’t want his season to end in the NIT, so expect a big game out of him in particular.