TCU seniors helped usher in new era at Schollmaier Arena

TCU will celebrate its seniors Tuesday night before the home finale against Kansas State.

The group of five, which includes Kenrich Williams and Vladimir Brodzianksy, will try to add another milestone in the last game they'll ever play in Schollmaier Arena.

The Horned Frogs (20-9, 8-8 in the Big 12) are trying to win their fourth consecutive Big 12 Conference game for the first time and fourth consecutive conference game since 1998 in the Western Athletic Conference. That season was the last time TCU played in the NCAA tournament.

That should change in a couple of weeks and Williams and Brodziansky are two prime reasons why.

"They're two of the top players in the conference and in TCU history," TCU coach Jamie Dixon said. "They left a legacy of a program on the rise and helped changed the perception of the program."

The Wildcats (20-9, 9-7) beat the Frogs 73-68 on Jan. 20.

Broadziansky has scored at least 10 points for past 20 games, the longest such stretch for TCU since Kevin Langford did it in 21 consecutive games in 2007-08. Williams is on pace to lead the Frogs in rebounding for the third consecutive season. The last TCU player to lead the team in boards in three or more seasons was Gary Turner in 1963-66. Dixon wasn't even alive then. Williams has 838 career rebounds, fifth-most at TCU. With several big rebounding games and a good postseason run, he could finish third all-time.

"That's something I pride myself on, playing hard," said Williams, who is averaging 9.2 rebounds a game this season. "It takes hard work to get the job done. I try to bring it every night. I hope TCU fans remember me as somebody who came out and played hard every night and somebody who gave it his all."

Williams, who attended Waco University High School before spending a season at New Mexico Junior College, is the only player in the Big 12 in the top 18 in rebounding, assists and scoring. He'll have a large group of friends and family up from Waco for his final home game.

"It definitely will be emotional for me. You invest so much time and put so much work in," he said.

He and Brodziansky have scored over 1,000 points in their careers. Brodziansky is five blocks shy of passing Kurt Thomas for third all-time with 167 career blocks. He has a shot at James Penny's TCU record 171 career blocks.

"It went by fast," Brodziansky said. "This year was even faster. We knew we needed to change it here, that's what we came here for so it's a good feeling for us, to come here and changed the culture."

TCU vs. Kansas State

8 p.m. Tuesday, Schollmaier Arena

TV: ESPNU

This story was originally published February 26, 2018 at 4:20 PM with the headline "TCU seniors helped usher in new era at Schollmaier Arena."