TCU Men's Basketball Preview: Cincinnati
TCU returns home Saturday to host Cincinnati at 2 p.m. CT. The Horned Frogs (18-8, 7-6 Big 12 will play the Bearcats after losing 81-82 at No. 23 Texas Tech Tuesday.
Cincinnati (16-10, 7-11 Big 12) comes into Schollmaier Arena losers of their last game against Oklahoma State 76-80. The Bearcats remain on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament, so every game for them holds lots of weight at this point in the season. They currently rank 45th in NET and 41st in KenPom.
When TCU went to Cincinnati earlier in the year, they lost 77-81 in an overtime thriller. Here is how the Frogs can get the win this time around.
The Ernest Udeh Jr. Factor
TCU center Ernest Udeh Jr. attempts a free throw in the game against Oklahoma on January 10, 2024.
Brian McLean, On Assignment Photo/KillerFrogs
TCU's starting center Ernest Udeh Jr. suffered a lower left leg injury last Saturday at Kansas State and was held out Tuesday versus Texas Tech. However, there was no structural damage to his leg, and he is officially listed as day-to-day. If he is able to go, that would give the Frogs a big boost inside, especially rebounding the ball. Cincinnati is one of the best rebounding teams in the conference, partly due to elite big man Viktor Lakhin, so this will be a major key to the game. If Udeh Jr. can't go, look for more minutes from Xavier Cork, Essam Mostafa, and JaKobe Coles.
Backcourt Battle
Cincinnati's Day Day Thomas, right, drives to the basket as TCU's Trevian Tennyson defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, January 16, 2024, in Cincinnati.
Last time out, Cincinnati's backcourt killed TCU, which is a big reason why they got the win. Day Day Thomas, John Newman III, and Dan Skillings Jr. combined for 54 of the Bearcats' 81 points in the contest on January 16. Now that the Frogs know these guys are dangerous, it needs to be emphasized to play better defense on these players. Avery Anderson III, Jameer Nelson Jr., and Trey Tennyson will need to step up big to contain the firepower this time around.
Turnover Trouble
TCU's Micah Peavy dribbles the ball against Cincinnati on January 16, 2024.
In the loss on January 16, TCU turned the ball over 19 times, a recipe for disaster. They have improved in this category, but for the Frogs get to win, they will need to keep that turnover number low. With how inconsistent the backcourt has been all year, playing through your best players could be a plan for success. Expect Micah Peavy and Emanuel Miller to play the biggest roles in this one again on both sides of the ball.
TCU will be favored and should win this one at home. They can't lose this game and expect to be comfortable come Selection Sunday. Get to Schollmaier Arena if you can.
How to Watch, Listen, and Stream: Cincinnati vs. TCU
- Tipoff - 2 p.m. CT, Saturday, February 24
- Television - Big 12 Now on ESPN+ with Ted Emrich and Tim Welsh
- Radio - AM 570 KLIF with Brian Estridge and Colin Boddicker (also available on Sirius XM Channel 392, HFTV, TuneIn, and Varsity)
- Live Stream - fuboTV (Start your free trial)
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