TCU, Texas A&M to revive basketball rivalry at Dickies Arena next season
TCU and Texas A&M are nearing an agreement to renew an old Southwest Conference rivalry that has been dormant for the last 24 years.
TCU athletic director Jeremiah Donati confirmed that TCU and Texas A&M are nearing an agreement to play a neutral-site basketball game at Fort Worth’s Dickies Arena next season followed by another neutral-site game at the Toyota Center in Houston for the 2021-22 season.
The date for the Dickies Arena game isn’t known yet, but is expected to be in early-to-mid December.
“We’re in final discussions regarding the game,” Donati said. “We expect an agreement to be finalized soon.”
CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein first reported the news on Thursday. Again, though, a contract has not been finalized. But, barring something unforeseen, the rivalry is expected to resume next season.
Texas A&M leads the all-time series against TCU 88-76. The last time these two played was on Feb. 26, 1996, a 91-89 victory by TCU in College Station.
The series dates back more than a century with a 28-20 victory by TCU during the 1914-15 season. That season also featured the Horned Frogs playing teams such as Poly High, Cleburne YMCA and Terrell Technical School.
For TCU and Texas A&M, though, this is a perfect setup to play neutral-site games in cities where both schools have strong alumni bases. Both raved about playing at Dickies Arena last season, although both had disappointing losses.
TCU fell to USC 80-78 in the inaugural basketball game at Dickies Arena. Texas A&M then fell to Texas 60-50 the following day.
At least one will leave victorious this time around.
This story was originally published May 7, 2020 at 4:05 PM.
