Texas secures third Big 12 road victory in win over TCU, 77-66

Road warrior Longhorns take home third road victory of Big 12 play.

The Texas basketball team found its footing on Saturday after a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Houston Cougars. The Longhorns earned a 77-66 win over the TCU Horned Frogs in Fort Worth.

Entering the game, the Horned Frogs were 16-5 and on the positive end of the Big 12 standings at 5-3. The team held a 10-1 record at home on the year leading up to the game. Texas just wanted, and needed, this game more.

The Longhorns improve to 15-7 and 4-5 in conference play after a forgettable start to their Big 12 slate. The game saw Texas rally from an early 10-point deficit and go on a 37-16 run to close the first half. It was that level of resilience the team needed after digging an early hole in Big 12 play.

Texas shot a scorching 50.9% from the field as well as 50% from three-point range. Surprisingly, TCU shot even better from outside the three point arc with a 58.3% rate. The combination of strong shooting and interior presence was the difference.

The Longhorns out-rebounded TCU, 34-21. It was a welcomed change after watching Texas get bullied at the backboard in past games.

Texas guard Max Abmas and forward Dylan Disu had special performances for the game. Abmas led the team in scoring with 21 points followed by Disu with 15 and forward Dillon Mitchell with 13 points on 66% shooting.

The team’s 13-for-15 free throw rate adds to perhaps the Longhorns’ most complete performance of the year. They will look to stay in the win column in a tough matchup against Iowa State on Tuesday.

Clemson takes down TCU, remains undefeated

Clemson looks like one of the best teams in the country, taking down another formerly undefeated team.

Brad Brownell and the Clemson men’s basketball team have been one of the best teams in college basketball season and showed it once again in their win over TCU on Saturday.

Taking down the formerly undefeated Horned Frogs 74-66 in the Hall of Fame Series in Toronto, Clemson went into the locker room with a 36-35 lead at the half, going back and forth with their opponents. Some solid offense but stronger defense led the way for the Tigers in the second half.

Clemson’s defense looked elite in this matchup, holding TCU to just 32.2% from the field and 18.8% from the three-point line. The Horned Frogs’ offense struggled to get anything going against the Tigers.

On offense, Clemson was led by strong showings from Joseph Girard III and PJ Hall. Girard scored 21, shooting 8-9 from the free throw line, with Hall adding 17 on 6-11 from the field. Ian Schieffelin added 14, with nine rebounds, but the key was his seven offensive boards.

It was just another clean performance from Brownell and the Tigers and the second team in a row that they ended an undefeated run for. They hit the road to take on Memphis on Dec. 16.

Micah Robinson on why he picked TCU: ‘It’s a perfect fit for me’

Micah Robinson on why he picked TCU basketball.

Last week, four-star forward Micah Robinson committed to TCU. The class of 2024 recruit is now a foundational piece head coach James Dixon.

With a strong offer list, Robinson says TCU has a system that is ideal for his skillset. It is also close to home as Robinson from Texas, although he is in high school along the East Coast.

A 6-foot-6 forward who plays at Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Virginia), Robinson, is a four-star in the 247Sports Composite, Last week, he picked TCU from a final four that included: LSU, TCU, Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech.

“Coach Dixon loves to get out and run in transition, I believe they’ve been top five in transition the past couple (of) years now, and I feel that’s one of the strengths in my game, whether it comes from me getting the rebound and initiating the break, or me running the wings,” Robinson said.

“I feel like I’m really effective in transition with my ability to finish at the rim, make plays for others, and shoot the ball. Also, I really like how coach Dixon runs his system, it’s a lot of 4-out-1 in and he really lets his guys have freedom. And with my versatility, I can fill all spots on the perimeter so I feel it’s a perfect fit for me!”

He joins a TCU program that went 22-13 (9-9 Big 12) last year. The program has made consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in the last two seasons under Dixon.

In previewing his commitment to TCU, Robinson said the program had a special feel among his four finalists.

“A lot of things stood out to me about TCU, of course, one (thing) being it’s the ‘hometown’ school, but also just their consistency in making me feel like a priority to them. The coaching staff seems invested in how they can help develop me to help me get to where I ultimately want to go” Robinson said.
“But they also see all the things I bring to the table to help the team’s overall success as well!”

Four-star forward Micah Robinson breaks down his final four ahead of Saturday commitment

Micah Robinson talks about the final four programs in his four-star recruitment.

Four-star forward Micah Robinson will be announcing his college decision on Saturday morning, with four programs representing his final cutdown ahead of his commitment.

A 6-foot-6 forward from Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Virginia), Robinson has cut down to the following four schools according to Adam Zagoria:

  • LSU
  • TCU
  • Vanderbilt
  • Virginia Tech

Robinson, a four-star in the 247Sports Composite, went in depth with USA TODAY High School Sports about his decision. He broke down why he felt the time was right for a commitment as well as what each of his four finalists made his final cutdown.

Scroll down and check out what Robinson had to say about the final four programs in his recruitment!

Drew Timme said TCU’s trash talk ‘didn’t sound so smart’ for such a ‘highly educated’ school

THAT SMIRK, THOUGH.

Gonzaga senior big man Drew Timme is originally from Texas and was one of the highest-rated recruits in the state back in 2019.

He had a big matchup against a team from his home state, the TCU Horned Frogs, during the Round of 32 on Sunday. During this game, Timme was matched up against several players that he played against in high school or who he trains with during the offseason.

Timme led Gonzaga past TCU and clinched a berth in the Sweet Sixteen at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. But before he did, he heard some trash talk from some TCU fans.

Here is what Timme said when reflecting on what he heard:

“I saw some nice things on the internet before maybe taking some shots at us, me, and our program. Throw lighter fluid in the fire if you wish. I thought TCU was a highly-educated school and they didn’t sound so smart with their comments pregame.”

These were strong comments from Timme, who stayed poised during the post-game press conference. He had the perfect insult sandwich, using a compliment about TCU’s academic prestige before ripping those who were insulting him.

But that wasn’t the best part of the exchange! Once he was done with these comments, the big man revealed the cheekiest grin imaginable.

This is the kind of stuff that we love to see during March Madness.

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Texas basketball might need to act fast for one transfer portal center

Texas may have to contend with Providence and Memphis to land one transfer portal big man.

College basketball free agency is underway just before the NCAA Tournament. It appears two Tournament participants are targeting TCU transfer center Eddie Lampkin for next season.

It would appear Providence head coach Ed Cooley and Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway are working to bring Lampkin to their respective teams. Albeit, it’s fair to question to which team Ed Cooley is recruiting Lampkin.

Cooley has been rumored as a possibility to fill the head coaching vacancy for the legendary basketball program at Georgetown. Regardless of where he coaches, Cooley has a strong pitch that will be difficult to beat.

It’s apparent that Texas will need bigs next season. The Longhorns could bring back Dylan Mitchell to pair with elite Duncanville talent Ron Holland. Even so, neither would give the team the defensive post presence it needs.

With Dylan Disu’s return uncertain and Christian Bishop departing, Texas could use a taller player or two through the transfer portal. Whether or not Lampkin is a priority, that position is a pressing need.

Texas’ search for post players will be worth monitoring over the summer.

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Ceiling and floor for each Big 12 team in the NCAA Tournament

The battle-tested programs of the Big 12 are ready to compete in March Madness.

March Madness is officially upon us as the 2023 NCAA Tournament bracket was revealed on Sunday afternoon.

Seven Big 12 Conference schools are featured in this season’s field, including four teams as top three seeds. The 70% mark of programs who qualified for the tournament is among the highest for any conference in the entire nation.

The last three national championship games have all featured a Big 12 program. Kansas (2022) and Baylor (2021) won it all, while Texas Tech (2019) finished second.

Kansas earned a No. 1 seed after winning the Big 12 regular season crown. The Jayhawks are in a great position to defend their national title led by a trio of excellent guards.

Texas sits as a No. 2 seed coming off a Big 12 tournament title run. Baylor and Kansas State both got slotted as a No. 3 seed, while TCU (No. 6), Iowa State (No. 6) and West Virginia (No. 9) round out the field.

The Big 12 has been the most competive league in college basketball this year. The battle-tested programs are ready to compete for a national title in the coming weeks.

Here is a look at each Big 12 school’s ceiling and floor entering March Madness.

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Clark Kellogg accidentally called TCU the ‘Froghorns’ while analyzing the NCAA tournament bracket

Clark Kellogg called TCU the “Froghorns” as the NCAA tournament bracket was unveiled. No, really.

CBS college basketball analyst Clark Kellogg got a bit tongue-tied while talking about the West Region of the 2023 NCAA tournament.

While mentioning six-seeded TCU, Kellogg called the team the “Froghorns,” which was very much incorrect.

Those in Fort Worth, Texas will quickly tell you that TCU’s mascot is the Horned Frog, not the Froghorn. There is no such thing as the Froghorn.

There is a foghorn, which bellows a loud noise to help ships sailing in foggy conditions avoid treacherous obstacles as they head into port. There is also Foghorn Leghorn, the Looney Tunes rooster with a Southern drawl.

However, the Froghorn does not exist. It’s just a hilarious verbal blooper from Kellogg as he broke down this year’s March Madness bracket.

Alright, live television is hard, and we all know what team Kellogg was talking about. Even so, this is just one of those gaffes you can’t help but chuckle at.

How will the Froghorns do in the NCAA tournament this year? Well, they didn’t make it, but the Horned Frogs might could make some waves.

Examining the remaining Big 12 tournament field for Texas

Here’s a look at what teams are left in the Big 12 Tournament after Thursday.

The Texas Longhorns (24-8) are moving on to the Big 12 semifinals. On Thursday night, the Longhorns defeated the Oklahoma State Cowboys (18-15) in a dominant 60-47 win.

For Oklahoma State, it means they might need help to make it into the NCAA Tournament field. Texas had no conscience in regard to helping out the bubble team as it has championship aspirations that tournament seeding could aid.

Earlier in the day, Iowa State shocked Baylor 78-72. The Cyclones were able to hold on after bullying the Bears for much of the second half. It’s unclear whether or not the loss hurts Baylor all that much in its bid for a No. 2 seed. Even so, Baylor head coach Scott Drew’s team is not playing well heading into the NCAA Tournament.

Here’s a look at what teams are left in the Big 12 Tournament field.

TCU’s Mike Miles Jr. breaks down his fascinating pregame superstition with socks and shoes

Now that’s a fascinating pregame ritual for TCU’s Mike Miles Jr.

TCU junior guard Mike Miles Jr. has a unique way of preparing before any basketball game.

Speaking with ESPN College GameDay‘s Rece Davis, Miles broke down his socks-and-shoes ritual that he performs before every game.

Building off a big game he had in high school, the TCU guard puts on his socks and shoes in this order: left sock, left shoe, right sock, right shoe.

He won’t just go socks then shoes, as that would throw off the superstition.

One of the more enjoyable parts of college hoops is getting to learn a bit more about the players on the court, and making it to TCU means Miles might want to keep this tradition going.

Well, TCU fans will certainly hope Miles keeps putting his best foot forward with his pregame rituals so that it keeps translating onto the court.

The No. 24 Horned Frogs are well on their to March Madness with players like Miles leading the way.