TCU Men's Basketball: A Second Half Surge by Kansas Plagues the Frogs

Despite leading by as much as 14, the Horned Frogs couuldn't hold on against No. 12 Kansas.
TCU's Noah Reynolds during the first half of the game against the Kansas Jayhawks.
TCU's Noah Reynolds during the first half of the game against the Kansas Jayhawks. / Brian McLean - On Assignment Photo/TCU Horned Frogs On SI

Guided by a strong second half, the No. 12 Kansas Jayhawks took down TCU 74-61. The Frogs led by as many as 14 in the first half.

TCU got off to a blazing start and took it right to the Jayhawks. They jumped out to a 16-6 lead and got the Frog faithful behind them and roaring. After back-to-back buckets from Trazarian White and Noah Reynolds, the lead stretched to 24-10 at the midway point of the first half.

All momentum was on TCU's side but Kansas seemed to find some answers through Hunter Dickinson. Both he and Flory Bidunga helped storm a furious comeback and cut the deficit to two at halftime.

TCU switched to a zone defense in the second half and Kansas took it apart. They shot 60.7% from the field and made five of their last six shots. TCU led for a brief moment in the second half after an alley-oop to White from Reynolds. Despite every effort to comeback, Kansas had a response. Dickinson finished with 16 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Bidunga recorded a double double with four blocks and they got timely baskets from Zeke Mayo.

Reynolds led the way for TCU with 14 points on 6/14 shooting and former Jayhawk Ernest Udeh Jr. finished with seven points, eight rebounds and five steals. Bill Self said about Udeh, "We all loved Ernest. He's obviously in a good spot here. I think he's the type of player and young man that programs can have great success with."

It was a valiant effort from the Frogs who ultimately came up just short. The announced attendance was a little over 6,000 which is the highest this season. TCU drops to 10-8 overall and 3-4 in conference play.

The Frogs will be back in action this Saturday in Orlando when they take on the UCF Knights at 3:00 on ESPN+.


Postgame Press Conferences

TCU Head Coach Jamie Dixon

TCU Players Ernest Udeh Jr. and Noah Reynolds

Kansas Head Coach Bill Self

Kansas Players AJ Storr and Shakeel Moore


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Published
Zion Trammell
ZION TRAMMELL

Zion Trammell graduated from TCU in 2023 with a degree in sports broadcasting and a minor in journalism. He has been on the TCU Horned Frogs On SI team since 2022. He is the lead writer for TCU Women’s Volleyball. He also writes about football, basketball (men’s and women’s), baseball, and other sports as necessary. In addition to his work with TCU Horned Frogs On SI, he is currently the play-by-play voice for Southlake Carroll baseball and hosts a TCU show on the Bleav Network.