TCU Horned Frogs at Kansas Jayhawks Predictions
While the Kansas Jayhawks are no longer unbeaten in conference play, they still lead the conference after 6 games and are looking to stay there. In the way is a TCU Horned Frogs team that blasted the Kansas State Wildcats a week ago before going on the road and losing big to the West Virginia Mountaineers.
So which team shows up today? Jalen Wilson had a monster performance against the Wildcats, but the rest of the team struggled, either with fouls or shooting (or both). Will they be able to get back on track in the friendly confines of Allen Fieldhouse? Our crew gets together to give their thoughts.
Do you disagree with our assessment? Make sure you read them all and then hop over to the Discord or on Twitter to share your own thoughts.
Kyle Davis
Check out our TCU Preview for Kyle's full breakdown and prediction.
Lucas Murphy
The Kansas Jayhawks start a six-game stretch against some very good opponents and first up is the TCU Horned Frogs. The Horned Frogs come to Lawrence, Kansas ranked as the No. 14 team in the country. I am not going to waste any time on this one if the Jayhawks want to win this game they need to limit the mistakes and make their free throws. I am going to be watching Kevin McCullar this game as the midwestern cold has got to him. Against Kansas State, he scored zero points and fouled out of the game. This team needs to have a big game and with the home crowd behind them, I anticipate a victory.
Kansas 80, TCU 75.
Derek Noll
I agree wholeheartedly on McCullar as he is such a key to Kansas functioning properly that all the bricked threes and empty possessions are killing this team. An early basket or two to get his confidence up is crucial. Kansas did so much wrong against K-State (fouling out, terrible three point and free throw shooting, turnovers) and still had a chance to win on the last possession, so if KU just calms down and do what they do best- get out and run, move the ball side to side, etc- I think they’ll beat TCU.
Kansas 72, TCU 67.
Brendan Dzwierzynski
I’m in agreement with the rest of the gang when it comes to McCullar, but this time can win even if his slump continues. To me, this game is a huge test for K.J. Adams. Eddie Lampkin is a force in the post and has game-changing ability. I’m less worried about Adams on the offensive end, but he needs to stay on the floor defensively so there’s less reliance on the young bigs to slow down TCU’s big man. I think the Jayhawks get it done, though, in what should be a fun one.
Kansas 75, TCU 70.
Andy Mitts
TCU has been such an up and down team recently, that it is hard to know what to expect from them. They aren't great at keeping teams off the boards, but they are great at forcing turnovers. They don't shoot from three particularly well, but they get to the line a lot. They have a tendency to get their shots blocked, but they do the same to their opponents.
They have been without Micah Peavy for a while now, so while that loss lowers their ceiling, I think they have gotten used to playing without him. That means they will be better equipped to figure out how to plan for Kansas, even if the matchup isn't great for them. Ultimately, I think that the speed of the Jayhawks on the inside will overcome the lack of size compared to Eddie Lampkin, but the perimeter defense will be key. With at least one random guy going off against the Jayhawks in seemingly every game (shout-out to Kyle and I predicting a big Desi Sills game on Tuesday), my pick this time is JaKobe Coles. He does a bit of everything, and is a great candidate for a random huge game. But if the Jayhawks can limit Mike Miles, then this shouldn't be a difficult lift to walk away with the victory.
Kansas 79, TCU 71.
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