TCU faces biggest nonconference test at No. 1 Notre Dame

Even after TCU’s 4-0 start and Tuesday’s thorough dismantling of Grambling State at Schollmaier Arena, the Horned Frogs knew they still had to improve before Saturday’s matchup at No. 1-ranked Notre Dame (5-0).

“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” forward Amy Okonkwo said after Tuesday’s 83-47 win. “If we stay focused and avoid getting complacent and we execute our principles correctly, I think it’s going to be a great game.”

The 4-0 start for the Horned Frogs is the program’s best since 2008, but the matchup against the best team in the nation is the 10th such meeting in program history. TCU has never jumped up and turned the upset in the prior nine matchups against a national No. 1, the latest of which came during the 2012-13 season against Baylor.

But for coach Raegan Pebley and TCU, success can come in more than one form on the trip to South Bend, Ind.

“It starts with trusting the preparation in the work we’ve put in,” Pebley said. “You’ve got to bring a great level of focus when you’re playing in an environment like that against a team like that. We’ve got to be really steady and tough.”

To that end, Pebley said TCU would concentrate on rebounding, transition defense and playing through contact in the two team practices between games. She also said sophomore center Jordan Moore, who sat out of the win against Grambling with an injury, should be ready to go on Saturday.

This story was originally published November 25, 2016 at 4:43 PM with the headline "TCU faces biggest nonconference test at No. 1 Notre Dame."