The story in TCU has been largely successful since Jamie Dixon returned and took over as head coach of his alma mater a decade ago. Last season was the latest chapter, taking the Horned Frogs back to the NCAA Tournament with a 23-win campaign, including a first-round win over Ohio State. What’s even better news for the faithful in Fort Worth is how much of that talent will be back this year.
Yes, top scorer David Punch transferred to Texas and there are a few other changes on the roster, but three of the top five scorers from last season return. Xavier Edmonds, Brock Harding, and Micah Robinson all return and should be major playmakers as starters. Reliable guard Tanner Toolson is also back for a second season with the Horned Frogs.
Among the new faces in town, TCU did add a few freshmen and international prospects, including 7-footer Ryan Hunt from Australia. Dixon’s staff didn’t quite find a piece on the same level as Punch in the transfer portal, but it’s hard to be disappointed with their haul. Gavin Sykes was a significant scorer as a freshman at Long Beach State, putting up 19.4 points a game, while DJ Thomas showed great potential during his own freshman season at West Virginia.
While all three of these transfers have importance in this potential rotation, Luke Bamgboye is the one we’re really honing in on. This offseason around the nation was about landing size through the portal and this 6-10 forward is hoping his game really comes together this season. Bamgboye was All-Defense in the A-10 as a freshman at VCU before taking his talents to Texas Tech as a sophomore. Bamgboye saw time during JT Toppin’s injury, but was largely a reserve, averaging 4.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks.
What Bamgboye really does is plug a massive hole for TCU heading into next season. We mentioned those three returning starters who certainly have those roles figured out, but the Horned Frogs really didn’t have someone penciled in at the 5. Bamgboye is a sizeable athlete and impressive defender who’s become a great shot blocker in his underclassman seasons and could develop into a real threat around the rim when given even more run on the court.
The raw numbers don’t really stand out but Bamgboye has the potential to be one of the best interior defenders in the Big 12 this season. His importance stems from the run he’s going to get, likely sharing those duties in the paint with only Hunt. We’ll see what kind of season TCU can put together, but Bamgboye will certainly be a major part of the defensive equation as they try to replace Punch’s impact.
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