Game Primer: How to Watch, Key Players and Important Information for Kansas at TCU
The Kansas Jayhawks head back out on the road, hoping to break their pattern of losses away from Allen Fieldhouse. And the opponent today might be their best opportunity to get that rolling, as the TCU Horned Frogs have dealt with multiple big blows to both their depth and their peak play.
The Horned Frogs are led by 1st-year head coach Mark Campbell. He is 15-5 at TCU, and 54-29 in his three years of head coaching experience. Campbell has never faced the Jayhawks
The Horned Frogs lead the all-time series 16-11, but the Jayhawks have won five of the last seven meetings
Check out the essentials below:
The Numbers
Editor's Note: Unless otherwise noted, all stats are provided by CBB Analytics. CBB Analytics is a new stats website in college hoops, covering both men and women's basketball in D-I, D-II and D-III. You can follow them on Twitter @CBBAnalytics
Kansas: 11-10 (4-6 Big 12): CBB Analytics Adjusted Net Rating - 62nd overall, 63rd offense, 58th defense
TCU: 15-5 (2-7 Big 12): Net Rating - 27th overall, 23rd offense, 43rd defense
Line: KU -2.5
O/U: 128.5
How to Watch
Saturday, February 3rd, 6:00 p.m. CST
Fort Worth, TX: Schollmaier Arena
TV: Big12 NOW on ESPN+
- Chuck LaMendola (Play-by-Play), Jada Curtis (Analyst)
Radio: IMG Jayhawk Radio Network
- Steven Davis (Play-by-Play)
Webcast: Kansas Online Radio
Game Coverage
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Opponent Team Form
TCU has had to deal with some very significant injuries this season, as star Sedona Prince was sidelined with a broken finger early in conference play, and Jaden Owens was lost for the season with a knee injury. That makes it hard to look at full season stats to figure out what this team is.
Without their two stars, the Horned Frogs have really struggled. They play at a glacial pace and the only thing they really have going for them is that they are pretty good from three, shooting a bunch and makings nearly 40% of them.
Defensively, they play pretty well on the boards, and they tend to bother their opponents passing and outside shooting. But they are extremely limited on the inside, which will likely be a massive problem the rest of this season.
Players to Watch
Madison Conner - 5'11" Junior Guard
Last 5: 18.0 pts, 3.3 rebs, 2.0 asts, 2.0 stls, 0.3 blks, 93.8% FT%
Connor has struggled to shoot since taking over the role of the leading shooter and scorer. But free throw shooting has been fantastic, adding an average of 5.5 points in each game.
Aaliyah Roberson - 6'2" Sophomore Forward
Last 5: 11.2 pts, 5.0 rebs, 0.6 asts, 0.4 stls, 1.6 blks 72.0% 2P%
Roberson has been a monster in the post recently, and it will be interesting to see how well she is able to keep that going against the multiple Jayhawks that can challenge her inside.
Agnes Emma-Nnopu - 5'11" Senior Guard
Last 5: 10.2 pts, 5.4 rebs, 1.6 asts, 1.0 stls, 0.6 blks 47.8% 2P%
The main rebounder for the Horned Frogs, Emma-Nnopu has been the steadying influence on the team. She is the only player to start each of the last 5 games, and her ability to impact all over the floor means she has a lot of options.
Matchups to Watch
It's hard to pick one particular matchup, given the uncertainty, but interior play would have to be the pick here. I just don't know what to expect, and Taiyanna Jackson just had an absolute monster game.
Prediction
I don't have any confidence in the Horned Frogs and their ability to handle a good team with their depth issues. If Kansas is able to get Jackson and/or a couple guards going, this one won't be close.
Kansas 74, TCU 62.
