TCU men blazing through schedule as expected before competition level rises
Four games into the season, the TCU men have four victories. But that is to be expected for the level of competition the Horned Frogs have faced so far, coach Trent Johnson acknowledges.
“This basketball team is not ready, this program is not ready, for a front-end, heavy-loaded, nonconference schedule,” he said Monday night following a 106-53 victory against Mississippi Valley State. “So how is that decision made?”
Johnson, whose TCU team faces Radford on Wednesday night at Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center, answered his own question.
He said players like guard Chauncey Collins and post Link Kabadyundi are not experienced enough yet and that players coming off injuries like Devonta Abron and Amric Fields need time.
“One of the things that I was most concerned about was getting these guys to a point in time where they could gradually show some improvement,” Johnson said. “Now the level of talent starts to increase, and we obviously know about the talent when we get to the Big 12. It will be a whole different league.”
The Horned Frogs (4-0) have gotten off to strong starts in wins against Prairie View A&M, Washington State, New Orleans and MVSU. Johnson wants to see it again against Radford (2-2).
“It’s early. It’s four games into this thing,” he said. “Do I feel good about us having the opportunity to be a solid basketball team and having a chance to win games against good teams and good players? Absolutely. But we have to be engaged and operating on all cylinders, and we have to be able to defend and rebound and take care of the ball and make open shots.”
It is the last of five home games to open the season for TCU. The team will be in Corpus Christi over the weekend for games against Bradley at 6 p.m. Friday and either St. Louis or Mississippi State at 6 p.m. Saturday.
This story was originally published November 25, 2014 at 9:29 PM with the headline "TCU men blazing through schedule as expected before competition level rises."