Eight-day layoff? TCU basketball ready to return vs. Xavier Musketeers
TCU sophomore guard RJ Nembhard predicted this past week would be the biggest of the season even though the week didn’t feature a single game.
“It’s probably the longest week we have to prepare for an opponent, especially this caliber,” said Nembhard, who has been the Frogs’ second-leading scorer with 12.9 points a game.
“This week we have to really lock in, all practice, every practice, and it’ll carry over to the game to lock into 40 minutes.”
Yes, this is TCU’s biggest non-conference test to date. It’ll face an Xavier team that had been ranked until this week as part of the inaugural Big 12/ Big East Battle.
Xavier is off to a 10-2 start and has been led by forwards Naji Marshall (16.9 points and 5.9 rebounds) and Tyrique Jones (13 points and 9.7 rebounds) as well as guard Paul Scruggs (15.2 points).
This is likely TCU’s best test left before Big 12 play begins next month. The Frogs host George Mason on Dec. 30 before opening Big 12 play against Iowa State on Jan. 4.
As coach Jamie Dixon said following his team’s victory over Lamar on Dec. 14, “We’ve got to become a better team in these eight days.”
Teddy toss
The university is hosting a “Teddy Bear Toss” during halftime of Sunday’s game.
Fans are encouraged to bring new or used teddy bears to the game and throw them on the court during halftime. The teddy bears will then be collected to aid SafeHaven during the holiday season.
The school is also encouraging fans to arrive early for a photo opportunity with Santa Superfrog, who will be in the concourse of Schollmaier Arena starting at 3 p.m. until 3:45 p.m.
Tickets, please
For the holidays, TCU is offering $10 general admission tickets for Sunday’s game against Xavier and the Dec. 30 game against George Mason.
Additionally, the school announced general admission tickets for Big 12 games against Iowa State (Jan. 4) and Oklahoma State (Jan. 11) have been discounted to $30.
Briefly
▪ TCU and Xavier are meeting for just the third time in history with the last contest coming Dec. 30, 1980. The all-time series is split 1-1.
▪ TCU is 10-13 all-time against Big East teams.
▪ TCU senior guard Desmond Bane will likely move into the program’s Top 10 all-time scorers. He has 1,414 points and is 12 shy of Gary Turner (1,426) for 10th.
▪ The Big East is leading the inaugural Big 12/ Big East Battle 5-2 so far this season.
