Big 12 Basketball Tournament: Key 2018-19 storylines for Kansas State vs. TCU

The TCU Horned Frogs survived the opening round of the Big 12 Tournament, defeating Oklahoma State after blowing a 21-point lead. Can the Horned Frogs continue their winning ways against top seeded Kansas State?

TCU basketball fans can EXHALE.

After controlling the entire game against Oklahoma State, leading by 21 at one point in the second half, the Horned Frogs watched as their lead had evaporated, turning into a one point deficit with less than one minute remaining, thanks to a scoreless drought of over six minutes.

Thanks to junior Desmond Bane, who hit the biggest shot of his career, the Horned Frogs live to see another day.

However, it won’t get any easier for the eight-seeded Horned Frogs. They’ll take on the top seed, Kansas State, at 1:30 PM on Thursday.

The Wildcats will likely be without leading scorer Dean Wade, who is nursing a foot injury. The loss Wade is huge for the Wildcats, whose Big 12 title run was fueled by the return of Wade early on in conference play.

Regardless of Wade’s absence, the Wildcats will still be a large favorite over the Horned Frogs in Thursday’s semifinal game.

The game carries major importance for both teams, but especially the Horned Frogs in particular. TCU is likely in the NCAA tournament after Wednesday nights win, but they cannot collapse. A win would lock TCU in the field, but a loss would make selection Sunday a little more nerve-racking.