TCU Men's Basketball Preview: Houston
TCU is set to face their third straight top-10 team when they host No. 2 Houston on Saturday at 5 p.m. The Frogs enter the contest 12-3 overall with a 1-1 conference record, coming off their best win of the year over No.9 Oklahoma Wednesday.
Houston is coming off their first loss of the season, losing 57-52 at Iowa State on Tuesday. Regardless, they are still number one in NET and KenPom rankings and are considered arguably the best team in all of college basketball.
The Frogs are undefeated at home this season (8-0), but this is undoubtedly their toughest test so far. Here are some things to look for to see if TCU can pull off the upset.
Speed Up The Cougars
Houston is the best defensive team in the nation and loves to use their tempo to wear down teams at a slow pace (335 of 362 in the nation). TCU is the complete opposite, by far leading the nation in fast break points at 23.8 per game. If the Frogs want to win this game, they need to force some Houston turnovers and get the Cougars to play at this fast style to make them uncomfortable. Guards Jameer Nelson Jr. and Avery Anderson III are both top four in the Big 12 in steal percentage, so look for them to be the catalysts for getting the Frogs on the break.
Own The Paint
TCU is the 33rd tallest team in the nation, while Houston is ranked 331 of 362. With Houston's strength being so dominated by guard play, the Frogs' big men could be X-factors for them to have some success. Look for Ernest Udeh Jr. or Emanuel Miller to attack the paint even more than usual to use this factor to their advantage.
Contain The Guards
Houston's team is stacked with elite guard play that can score from all levels. Their top four scorers are all guards - LJ Cryer, Emanuel Sharp, Jamal Shead, and Damian Dunn. TCU's guard play has been inconsistent all year, so neutralizing Houston's firepower at the guard position will be massive. Along with Anderson III and Nelson Jr., Micah Peavy and Trevian Tennyson's play will go a long way to compete with what Houston has to offer.
Half Court Offense
It has been no secret that the Frogs' half-court offense is a major struggle, but in the last couple of games, TCU has actually shown some improvement. Houston is a team that will definitely keep you in the half-court, so being able to execute will be monumental for their success. JaKobe Coles has been out the last three games with a foot issue, but if he can play, he will be a huge boost in this area. Regardless, the Horned Frogs' ability to take care of the ball and create open looks when held in the half-court will probably be the game's biggest factor.
How to Watch, Listen, and Stream: Kansas vs. TCU
- Tipoff - 5 p.m. CT, Saturday, January 13
- Television - ESPN with Rich Hollenberg and Fran Fraschilla
- Radio - AM 570 KLIF with Brian Estridge and Collin Boddicker (also available on Sirius XM Channel 84, HFTV, TuneIn, and Varsity)
- Live Stream - fuboTV (Start your free trial)
Want to join the discussion? Click here to become a member of the Killer Frogs message board community today!
Follow KillerFrogs on Twitter to stay updated on all the latest TCU news! Follow KillerFrogs on Facebook and Instagram as well. Download the KillerFrogs app on Google Play or the Apple App Store.
