TCU Set to Host McNeese State Saturday
12/11/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014 | 7:00 p.m. CT | Fort Worth, Texas | Radio Network: 1420 AM KPIR; FrogVision |
Fans not able to attend the non-conference showdown against the Cowboys can follow it live on FrogVision with Brian Estridge (Play-By-Play) and John Denton (Color) calling the action live.
The Opponent
McNeese State comes into Saturday with a 4-2 overall record after defeating Louisiana-Lafayette in its last outing, 80-70. The Cowboys, who have won two-straight heading into this weekend, had four players score in double-figures against the Rajin Cajuns, including Desharick Guidry who tallied 29 points on 8-for-10 from the field and 16 boards.
On the season, McNeese State has shot 43 percent from the field and is averaging 38 rebounds per game. Individually, Guidry leads the way, totalling 19.3 points per contest and 12.2 rebounds. Jamaya Burr has also been solid, scoring 11.2 points a game, while dishing out 4.8 assists.
The Series
The Horned Frogs and Cowboys will battle for only the third time in program history Saturday. TCU leads the all-time series, 2-0, but the two programs haven't faced off since a 68-64 decision in 2008.
Chasing History
TCU will look to move to 10-0 on the season Saturday with a victory over McNeese State. In the Big 12 Conference, the Frogs need only four more wins to tie Oklahoma State for the 10th best start in league history. The Cowboys opened the 2001-02 season with a 13-0 record before falling.
History Lesson
If TCU is able to defeat McNeese State, the Frogs will record their best start to a season since going 9-0 in 1997-98, which also happens to be the last time TCU made the NCAA Tournament. When broken down even further, the Purple and White have only recorded double-digit wins four times in program history before suffering their second loss of the season (1930-31: 12-1; 1951-52: 14-1; 1957-58: 10-1; 1997-98: 10-1). Heading into Thursday night, TCU was one of only 10 teams remaining in the NCAA who were undefeated on the year.
Johnson Looks To Accomplish Rare Feat
If TCU moves to 10-0 with a victory over the Cowboys, Trent Johnson will accomplish a first in his 16 years as a head coach. Johnson has never started a season 10-0. As an assistant, Johnson's 1997 Stanford squad opened its season 17-0 before falling to Arizona, 93-75, in late January.
Firing Out Of The Gate
TCU has outscored its first nine opponents by a combined score of 65-31 in the first 4 minutes of action. During that span, the schools have gone a combined 11-for-40 from the field with 17 turnovers. Against Washington State, the Frogs opened the contest on a 14-0 run. WSU didn't even score from the field until 15:52 showed on the clock.
Time Machine
TCU is once again receiving votes in both national polls this week, marking the first time under head coach Trent Johnson the program has accomplished that feat. The last time the Horned Frogs were ranked or receiving votes came during the 1998-99 season when TCU was ranked as high as No. 21 nationally during the month of January. In the Big 12 Conference, eight of the 10 teams are ranked or receiving votes in both top 25 polls, which is tied for the most of any conference with the ACC.
Powering The Glass
TCU has out-rebounded eight out of its nine opponents this season. The Frogs only out-rebounded the opposition a total of eight times through 31 games a year ago. The Frogs have totaled 346 boards through nine games. It took the Purple and White 11 games a year ago to hit that mark. After nine games in 2013-14, TCU was only averaging 33.6 boards a game. This season, the Frogs are averaging 38.4 rebounds a contest after only nine games.
Hitting The 20-Point Mark
Against Furman, Kyan Anderson tallied 21 points on 6-of-11 from the floor. With his 20-plus outing, Anderson has now accomplished that feat 19 times in his career. The senior has posted back-to-back 20-plus outings seven times during his career. He has scored 20 or more points in three-straight games four times in his four year career.
Schedule Note
Please note that TCU's game schedule for Dec. 29 against Tennessee State will be played at the University Rec Center.
TCU Notes
• Trent Johnson recorded his 250th career victory against Mississippi Valley State.
• TCU is 9-0 for the first time since 1997-98, which was the last time the Frogs made the NCAA Tournament.
• TCU is 24-4 when leading at the half under head coach Trent Johnson.
• TCU has started the same starting lineup for nine-straight games.
• TCU has now held 21 opponents to 59 points or less under Trent Johnson.
• TCU out-rebounded its opponent for the eighth time this season vs. Furman.
• TCU captured its first regular-season tournament title since 1991 by winning the Corpus Christi Coastal Classic.
• TCU eclipsed the 100-point barrier for the first time under Johnson against Mississippi Valley State.
• Kyan Anderson is No. 12 all-time in scoring in program history with 1,304 points.
• Anderson only needs 15 more points to move into sole-possession of No. 11 all-time.
• Anderson now has 19 20-point games in his four-year career after scoring 21 against Furman.
• Anderson dished out a season-high six assists in the win vs. Furman.
• Amric Fields scored a season-high 14 points Tuesday against Furman.
• TCU is 6-3 when Karviar Shepherd grabs double-digit boards.
• Shepherd scored in double-figures for a third time this season vs. Ole Miss.
• Kenrich Williams scored in double-figures for the fifth time in nine games vs. Furman.
• Williams was named the tournament MVP at the Corpus Christi Coastal Classic.
• Trey Zeigler and Chris Washburn were named to the all-tournament team in Corpus Christi.
