Oklahoma takes advantage of cold-shooting TCU to snap losing streak
TCU senior forward JD Miller didn’t think there were too many 3-point attempts Saturday.
The Frogs jacked it up a season-high 32 times from deep, connecting on just nine of them.
“Took too many? Nah, that’s what we do,” said Miller, who posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Even if they’re not going in?
“Yessir,” Miller said.
That answer provided for a light moment in TCU’s postgame news conference. Oklahoma had just pulled away for a 71-62 victory and there were plenty of questions surrounding TCU’s offensive performance.
Outside of the season-high in 3-point attempts, TCU had its second worst day from the field at 35.4 percent. The Frogs’ worst day came last month when they visited the Sooners in Norman, Oklahoma on a day they shot 34.7 percent from the field.
TCU simply couldn’t find the answers against OU’s 3-2 zone defense. It didn’t help that the team’s second leading scorer, sophomore forward Kouat Noi, is sidelined with a left ankle injury. Or that freshman forward Lat Mayen is out for the season with a left knee injury.
Depth is an issue entering the stretch run.
But, contrary to Miller’s belief, coach Jamie Dixon wasn’t pleased with his team settling for 3-point attempts much of the day. Freshman guard R.J. Nembhard took the second-most 3-point attempts by a Frog player this season, going 3-for-11.
Miller also took a season-high, making 2-of-8. Miller missed his last five 3-point attempts and is now 4-for-23 in the last seven games.
The Frogs opened the second half by missing their first eight 3-point attempts.
“The looks weren’t good enough,” Dixon said. “We took too many 3s. Looking at the percentages, you never want to be over 40 percent of your shots being 3s, so we took too many. And we didn’t get enough penetrations, interior touches.
“We’re playing guys at different spots. That may have had something to do with it. But you’ve got to find a way. It’s disappointing.”
TCU (17-8, 5-7 Big 12) lost consecutive home games for just the fourth time in the Dixon era.
Oklahoma (16-10, 4-9 Big 12), meanwhile, snapped a five-game losing streak and swept the season series against TCU.
Sooners forward Kristian Doolitte had a game-high 21 points and 10 rebounds. He scored 24 points in the first meeting.
“Much-needed for sure,” Sooners coach Lon Kruger said afterward. “Been a while since we’d finished a game. Obviously TCU is a bit short-handed, definitely made a difference from their perspective I’m sure. Proud of our guys. They continue to work hard.
“As good a group as we’ve had in practice, even through the not winning. Their attitude’s been unbelievable.”
TCU certainly missed Noi. This is a guy who had been averaging 14.8 points a game and scored 30 points in the first meeting between the schools.
“It’s very tough,” TCU guard Kendric Davis said of Noi’s absence. “His presence itself is a big feeling for us. Everybody knows he can shoot the ball.”
TCU won the offensive rebounding battle by 10, 15-5, but only converted that into nine second-chance points.
TCU simply couldn’t knock down its shots.
OU took control of the game at the start of the second half, making 3-of-4 3-point attempts and had a 43-34 lead with 16:58 left.
TCU stayed within striking distance with a couple timely 3-pointers by Davis and Nembhard, but they were never able to make it a one-possession game.
It’s a loss that makes TCU’s path to the NCAA Tournament a little more difficult. At 5-7 in the Big 12, TCU is likely going to have to win a road game that most don’t expect it much like it did at Iowa State earlier this month.
“You can’t lose home games. It’s that simple,” Dixon said. “It makes it very difficult. It’s always difficult, but it now makes it more of a challenge. We’re going to have to find a win somewhere else that maybe people didn’t expect.
“We’ll have to find a way.”
TCU’s next game is at Oklahoma State on Monday night.
This story was originally published February 16, 2019 at 1:10 PM.
