TCU Opens League Play Saturday Afternoon
12/30/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 30, 2015
TCU vs. Oklahoma State | |
|---|---|
| Date | Time | Saturday, Jan. 2 | 3:00 p.m. CT |
| Location | Gallagher-Iba Arena |
| Television | ESPNews |
| Television Talent | Dave LaMont (Play-By-Play); Bryndon Manzer (Color) |
| Radio Listing | KTCU (88.7 FM), 570 AM KLIF, FrogVision, TuneIn, SiriusXM |
| Listen Online | Listen Live |
| Radio Talent | Jeff Williams (Play-By-Play); Gary Randle (Color) |
| Live Stats | In-Game Stats |
| Game Notes | TCU Game Notes |
Fans not able to attend the contest against the Cowboys can follow it live on ESPNews with Dave LaMont (Play-By-Play) and Bryndon Manzer (Color) calling the action live.
Saturday's game is also available on the radio airwaves via KTCU, 570 AM KLIF, FrogVision, SiriusXM (145/199) or TuneIn Radio.
The Opponent
Oklahoma State comes into Saturday's league opener with an 8-4 overall record after dropping UMKC in its last outing, 61-43. Against the Kangaroos, Jeff Newberry led the way, scoring 11 points, while grabbing seven boards. Tyree Griffin was also in double-figures with 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
On the year, Newberry has carried the load, averaging 11.1 points per game and 5.9 rebounds a contest. Leyton Hammonds is also having a solid season, averaging 10.7 points and 4.9 rebounds.
The Series
TCU and Oklahoma State will battle for the 26th time in program history Saturday. The Cowboys lead the all-time series, 22-3, after the Purple and White upended OSU last February, 70-55. TCU will be looking for its second win over Oklahoma State in Stillwater. The Frogs' last win against OSU away from Fort Worth came during the 1925 season when TCU dismantled the Cowboys, 37-16.
Conference Openers
Going into Saturday, TCU is 42-51 all-time in conference openers. In all, the Horned Frogs have lost their last five openers and are only 6-19 since the breakup of the Southwest Conference in 1996. Last season, the Purple and White fell 78-67 to West Virginia. TCU's last win in a league-opener came in 2009-10 against Air Force, 59-50.
Johnson In Openers
TCU head coach Trent Johnson is 6-10 all-time in conference openers. (3-2 at Nevada; 1-3 at Stanford; 2-2 at LSU; 0-3 at TCU)
Oh What A Night
Against Delaware State, Karviar Shepherd posted his sixth double-double, scoring 15 points, while grabbing a career-high 19 rebounds. With his 19-board performance, the junior posted the 14th-best rebounding mark in the NCAA this season. He is one of only six junior's nationally to record 19 or more boards in a game this season. It is also the second-best mark in the Big 12 Conference in 2015.
50 Or Less
For a second-straight game, TCU held an opponent to 50 points or less, holding Delaware State to only 47 points. Prior to their game against DSU, the Horned Frogs held Bradley to only 49 points. TCU has now held three opponent this season to 50 points or less in a game. In the last four years, TCU has now accomplished that feat 14 times under head coach Trent Johnson.
He's Back
Junior Chris Washburn, a team captain, made his return to the TCU lineup against Delaware State, seeing his first action since last March. Washburn had a standout sophomore season in which he scored in double-figures in eight games, including a team-high 16-point outing on 8-of-11 from the field in a victory over K-State in the opening round of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament. He finished the season ranked No. 7 in the Big 12 Conference in blocked shots, while ranking No. 8 in steals overall.
Next Man Up
Against Delaware State, TCU only dressed nine student-athletes as Devonta Abron and Dalton Dry, along with returning starter Kenrich Williams, all sat out the contest. In all, the Horned Frogs have had five players miss games this season due to injury in Abron, Chauncey Collins, Dry, Chris Washburn and Williams.
Grab The Rock
TCU is a perfect 7-0 this season when out-rebounding its opponent. The Frogs are 34-15 all-time under Trent Johnson when out-rebounding the opposition. TCU out-rebounded DSU in its last home outing, 45-30.
Starting Strong
In the first 12 games of the season, TCU has combined to outscore its opponent 96-61 in the first 4 minutes of the game. During that stretch, the Horned Frogs have held the opposition to a 24-for-65 showing from the field.
TCU Notes
• TCU has won 26 of its last 30 non-conference games dating back to 2013.
• TCU is 40-7 when leading at the half under head coach Trent Johnson.
• TCU has held 34 opponents to 59 points or less under Trent Johnson.
• TCU has held two-straight opponents to under 50 points.
• Heading into Saturday, TCU ranks No. 84 in NCAA in blocks per game, averaging 4.5 a contest.
• 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 played its first 11 games without Washburn and Williams.
• Vladimir Brodziansky was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week following the season-opener.
• Michael Williams has started six-straight games.
• TCU's record is 5-1 since Williams was inserted into the starting lineup.
• Williams only had two prior starts in his three-year career heading into this season.
