TCU started Big 12 play 3-0. Now the Frogs just want to end losing skid at Texas Tech
A prolonged losing streak is not what the TCU men’s basketball team envisioned a month ago.
The Horned Frogs opened Big 12 play by going 3-0, their best start to conference play in 21 years, and felt an NCAA Tournament berth would be within reach. Now, the goal may be just to avoid a losing season.
TCU (13-10, 4-6 Big 12) has lost five straight games, and seven of its last eight, going into Monday night’s game at Texas Tech (15-8, 6-4 Big 12) in Lubbock. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.
But those within the program vow that TCU hasn’t lost hope, despite scoring a season-low in points during Saturday’s 60-46 loss to No. 3 Kansas.
“Obviously you question where the confidence is, but I don’t think they lack for confidence,” coach Jamie Dixon said. “I mean, we know what it is. It’s the Big 12. We know if you get out-rebounded by 13 and turn it over 17 times, you’re not going to have much opportunity to win. We’ve got to change a lot of things, improve in a lot of areas, and that’s got to be our mentality.
“We can’t keep doing the same things, but we are.”
This is the longest losing streak TCU has endured since it lost seven straight to close the 2016-17 regular season in Dixon’s first season as head coach.
But that stretch included three of the seven losses being by double figures. This year’s stretch has seen TCU get blown out by double figures in six of the last eight games.
The Horned Frogs haven’t done much right. From turnovers to inconsistencies with three-point shooting, free throws or rebounding, there are plenty of areas of concern.
Asked how the team is handling the struggles, senior guard Desmond Bane said: “We’ve lost to all good teams. Every team we play from here on out is a good team. We’ve lost some road games in some tough environments.
“Staying together is key,” Bane added. “We’re a new team. A lot of players haven’t been through this. Haven’t hit true adversity like this in high school or at another level. Stick together is the message and I feel like we’re doing that.”
Wishful thinking?
Even though it seems far-fetched at this point, TCU still has a chance to put together enough quality wins to possibly get back in the NCAA Tournament or NIT conversation.
The Horned Frogs have opportunities for quality wins starting tonight at Texas Tech, or with remaining home games against West Virginia on Feb. 22, Baylor on Feb. 29 and Oklahoma on March 7, as well as a road game at Kansas on March 4.
“There are still some quality opportunities out there,” Bane said. “We play good teams every night. Just have to find a way to put a good 40 minutes together.”
Briefly
▪ Bane reached the 20-point mark for the eighth time versus Kansas on Saturday. The Frogs had been 7-0 in those games.
▪ TCU is just 1-5 in true road games this season with its only win coming more than a month ago at Kansas State on Jan. 7.
▪ TCU has lost its last four games in Lubbock, with its last win, 62-52, coming on Jan. 17, 2015.
▪ Texas Tech overcame a 16-point deficit to defeat Texas on Saturday in Austin. Freshman Jahmi’us Ramsey scored a team-high 18 points, and is the Big 12’s leading freshman scorer with 15.8 ppg.
