TCU Set For Abilene Christian Sunday
12/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 17, 2015
TCU vs. Abilene Christian | |
|---|---|
| Date | Time | Sunday, Dec. 20 | 1:00 p.m. CT |
| Location | Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena |
| Television | FOX Sports Southwest |
| Television Talent | Brian Estridge (Play-By-Play); John Denton (Color) |
| Radio Listing | KTCU (88.7 FM), KPIR 1420 AM, FrogVision, TuneIn, SiriusXM |
| Listen Online | Listen Live |
| Radio Talent | Jeff Williams (Play-By-Play); Gary Randle (Color) |
| Gametracker | |
| Game Notes | TCU Game Notes |
Fans not able to attend the match-up against the Wildcats can follow it live on the FOX Sports Southwest with Brian Estridge (Play-By-Play) and John Denton (Color) calling the action live.
Sunday's game is also available on the radio airwaves via KTCU, KPIR 1420 AM, FrogVision, SiriusXM (118/201) or TuneIn Radio.
The Opponent
ACU comes into this weekend with a 4-5 overall record after defeating Schreiner in its last outing, 69-46. The Wildcats, who take on California-Riverside Friday night, were carried by Jaylen Franklin's 14-point, 6-board outing against the Mountaineers. Parker Wentz was also in double-figures with 12 points on 4-of-6 from the field.
On the season, Franklin is averaging 13.8 points per game and shooting 54 percent from the field. Wentz has tallied 10.1 points a game, while Jalen Little has dished out 4.6 assists a contest, but has missed the last two games.
The Series
TCU and Abilene Christian will battle for the 17th time in program history Sunday afternoon. TCU leads the all-time series, 16-0, after dropping ACU in 2013, 71-64. The Horned Frogs are 8-0 all-time against the Wildcats in Fort Worth. The first game between the two schools was a 16-2 decision in 1915.
Opening Act
Sunday's game against ACU will mark the first game inside Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Previously known as Daniel-Meyer Coliseum, the facility underwent a $72 million renovation. The Schollmaiers provided the lead gift. The Daniel-Meyer name will remain prominent as the entire area will be known as the Daniel-Meyer Athletic Complex.
The interior has a lower playing surface to increase courtside seating and provide a more intimate atmosphere. Wider concourses and multiple public entries will ease congestion. The fan experience will be further enhanced by new concession stands, a food court and restrooms as well as increased points of sale. A new courtside club lounge is located on floor level.
The facility also includes offices for the athletics administrative staff as well as coaches in various sports, allowing the Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena to be the hub of TCU Athletics.
Additional features of the Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena are a TCU Athletics Hall of Fame on the concourse level, offices for Olympic sports and administration and a larger main ticket office to support both the arena and Amon G. Carter Stadium.
The New Digs
TCU will open play inside the newly renovated Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena Sunday. The Frogs went 454-278 inside Daniel-Meyer Coliseum between 1961 through 2014.
Mr. Perfection
Against Prairie View A&M, Vladimir Brodziansky had quite the outing, going a perfect 7-for-7 from the field en route to a 16-point showing. The sophomore ranks No. 1 in the Big 12 Conference and No. 16 in the NCAA in field goal percentage.
Passing The Rock
Malique Trent has carried TCU the last four games, dishing out five or more assists in three out of the last four. In the last four alone, Trent, who totaled six assists versus Prairie View, is averaging 5.5 assists per game.
Rewind to last season and Trent is right around the pace set by former all-conference honoree Kyan Anderson who had totaled 4.1 assists after nine games. Trent is averaging 3.7 on the year heading into game No. 10.
Grab The Rock
TCU is a perfect 5-0 this season when out-rebounding its opponent. The Frogs are 32-15 all-time under Trent Johnson when out-rebounding the opposition. TCU out-rebounded Prairie View in its last home outing, 38-34.
Starting Strong
In the first nine games of the season, TCU has combined to outscore its opponent 73-43 in the first 4 minutes of the game. During that stretch, the Horned Frogs have held the opposition to a 18-for-53 showing from the field.
TCU Notes
• TCU has won 23 of its last 27 non-conference games dating back to 2013.
• TCU is 37-7 when leading at the half under head coach Trent Johnson.
• TCU has held 32 opponents to 59 points or less under Trent Johnson.
• TCU is 16-4 all-time under Trent Johnson during the month of December.
• Heading into Sunday, TCU ranks No. 33 in NCAA in blocks per game, averaging 5.56 a contest.
• TCU posted the 11th most free throws made in school history in its season-opener with 36.
• TCU returned three starters from a year ago in Chris Washburn, Kenrich Williams and Karviar Shepherd.
• With Williams out, Washburn and Shepherd are TCU's captains this season.
• TCU has played its first nine games without Washburn and Williams.
• Vladimir Brodziansky was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week following the season-opener.
• Brodziansky joins former Frog Trey Zeigler as the only TCU player to earn the honor under Trent Johnson.
• Shepherd scored his 500th career point against Houston Baptist.
• Michael Williams has started three-straight games.
• Williams only had two prior starts in his three-year career heading into this season.
