Men's Basketball: TCU Hopes to Reverse Fortunes Against Oklahoma State
TCU needs a win.
There’s no way around it. Without guard Mike Miles Jr., the Horned Frogs (17-9 overall, 6-7 Big 12) have struggled scoring and finding a rhythm on offense.
Posting a season-low 59 points in a loss at Iowa State only makes the recent four-game skid even more painful. Perhaps returning to the friendly confines of Schollmaier Arena Saturday against Oklahoma State (16-10, 7-6) will help No. 22 TCU reset.
But, as they say, there are no easy games in the Big 12 Conference. Especially when the Cowboys have won seven of their last nine games.
Oklahoma State’s 87-76 loss to Kansas on Tuesday snapped a five-game winning streak. The Cowboys completed season-sweeps of Iowa State and Oklahoma during this stretch and remain a spot ahead of TCU as the No. 6 seed in the conference standings.
A victory over Oklahoma State would help TCU climb back into top half of the conference standings. Only three games separate TCU from Kansas, Baylor, and Texas who are all tied for first at 9-4.
Guard Shahada Wells carried the Horned Frogs against Iowa State with 15 points, seven rebounds, and three steals. Guard Micah Peavy added 13 points, five rebounds, a block and two steals.
TCU shot 46.2% (24-of-52), but hitting 6-of-18 (33%) free throws, scoring just two points in the first six minutes, and committing untimely turnovers hindered a comeback attempt.
During the broadcast of the Iowa State game, the announcers mentioned Miles might play on Saturday after missing the last three weeks with a knee injury. That would be a huge boost against an Oklahoma State team that gave TCU plenty of problems less than two weeks ago.
Oklahoma State beat TCU 79-73 in that game while seeming to hit its stride offensively. Forward Kalib Boone dropped 25 points and the Cowboys shot 52.6% from the field.
The conference’s second-best defense also forced the Horned Frogs into a 22-10 hole halfway through the first half.
Oklahoma State remains a stout defense, allowing 38.9% shooting from the field (no. 7 nationally) and 64.3 points per game.
Kansas shot a blistering 53.8% percent because of quick ball movement and forcing 15 turnovers that resulted in 20 fast break points. When the Cowboys' defense had time to set up, the Jayhawks found it difficult to get up a clean shot.
Boone and forward Moussa Cisse combine for 3.2 blocks per game and countless altered shots. Cisse also leads the conference with 8.3 rebounds per game while Boone pulls down 5.6 boards.
Boone dropped a game-high 27 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the Kansas loss. Boone is the catalyst in Oklahoma State’s offense from the low block. He has led the team in scoring four of the last six games using a combination of hook shots, spin moves, and midrange jumpers.
Guards John-Michael Wright and Bryce Thompson have also emerged as go-to scoring options. Wright hit 6-of-10 three-pointers versus the Jayhawks while Thompson scored 17 points.
Still, this offensive surge is relatively new. No Cowboy ranks among the top 15 in Big 12 scoring leaders. Boone’s 12.5 points and Thompson’s 11.5 sit at no. 17 and 19 respectively.
News as of Friday is Miles will play on Saturday. Even so, TCU will need a quick start and sharp-shooting to get back in the win column.
Tipoff is set for 1pm and the game will be televised on ESPN+.
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