TCU Insider: How the men’s basketball team is handling Baylor postponement and more
The TCU men’s basketball team expected to be playing a big-time game Saturday afternoon in Waco. Baylor is undefeated and the No. 2 team in the country. TCU, fresh off a victory over Oklahoma State in the final seconds on Wednesday, had visions of being the first to hand its rival a loss.
But, as it’s been the case with most things the past 11 months, those plans were disrupted. Baylor had to postpone the game due to COVID-related issues within its program.
So TCU coach Jamie Dixon was left talking to yours truly on Saturday afternoon — about a practice, not a game. The Frogs scrimmaged most of Friday and then had a lighter day on Saturday.
“It was good,” Dixon said. “I figured we’d use this day more as a mental break since we’ll have five straight days of practice. We’re generally on a two-day prep for teams so, in a lot of ways, that’s how we’ve handled it.”
TCU hosts Iowa State at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Schollmaier Arena. The plan, Dixon said, was to practice again Sunday and Monday in preparation for the Cyclones.
TCU focused mostly on improving itself Friday and Saturday once the Baylor game had been postponed. The Frogs found out Thursday afternoon the game would have to be rescheduled.
TCU has now seen four of its Big 12 games postponed due to COVID-related issues with only one game rescheduled. There was a chance another game could have been postponed due to COVID-related issues, opening up the possibility of TCU making up one of its to-be-rescheduled games this weekend.
“It was interesting when we got word because we just got done with the scouting report,” Dixon said. “We told our guys to be ready for a possible rescheduled game in case someone else goes down, so we were preparing for a game the next 24 hours. That didn’t come into play, of course, but I thought it might.”
Instead, once it knew it wouldn’t be playing this weekend, TCU scrimmaged hard on Friday and then had the light day Saturday.
For Dixon, disruptions are to be expected. TCU has dealt with more than its fair share as Dixon said he hasn’t conducted one practice (including preseason practices) with every player available whether it be injury- or COVID-related.
Dixon estimated a couple weeks ago that his team had lost at least 90 practices from preseason to that point in the season. He brushed off the notion Saturday that this latest setback came at a bad time considering his team had some momentum coming off the Oklahoma State victory.
“I don’t know if it’s bad timing. The reality is we were going to play Saturday then again Tuesday, so it’s not too much of a delay,” Dixon said. “It is what it is. We’ve just got to be ready to play on Tuesday and keep building off what we’ve done this last seven, eight days.”
Farabello update
TCU sophomore guard Francisco Farabello was expected to play a significant role this season, but he’s struggled with simply being available.
Farabello has played in nine of TCU’s 17 games this season, mostly due to COVID protocols. He’s not expected to be cleared for Tuesday’s game, Dixon said, but the hope is for Farabello to return at some point this season.
Farabello last played in the Jan. 9 home game against Baylor.
“We’re certainly being conservative and looking out for Fran’s best interest,” Dixon said. “He wants to play, so it’s tough. He’s had to stop and start six or seven different times.”
Briefly
▪ Iowa State is on a seven-game losing streak and is winless in Big 12 play, but Dixon said his team won’t overlook the Cyclones. “They’ve been in some unique circumstances [with COVID],” Dixon said. “Our league and the quality of play speaks for itself.”
▪ As of today, the Big 12 is planning to play its conference tournament March 10-13 in Kansas City. Dixon has heard talk of teams across the country possibly backing out of conference tournaments to avoid COVID-related issues before the NCAA tournament, but the Big 12 is “full go ahead” for its tournament.
▪ TCU’s game at Texas Tech on Wednesday, Feb. 17 will have a 5 p.m. start, the Big 12 and ESPN announced.
