TCU’s Micah Peavy grew up losing to older brother DJ but got revenge in rare matchup
Micah Peavy and older brother DJ Peavy grew up playing one-on-one but Monday night it was finally for real.
Micah Peavy, who played at Duncanville and transferred to TCU from Texas Tech in the spring, faced off against DJ Peavy and Austin Peay at Schollmeier Arena. DJ Peavy played at Collin College before transferring to Austin Peay.
Younger brother finally got the upper hand as the Horned Frogs pulled away early and coasted for a 68-51 win.
More than 50 family members and friends were on hand for the rare matchup, many wearing specially-designed T-shirts representing both the Horned Frogs and Governors, including father David Peavy, the head coach at Duncanville High School among them. Most were sitting behind the Frogs’ bench. Micah and David Peavy won the state championship with the Panthers in 2019.
“It was a crazy experience,” Micah Peavy said. “I’ve never done that before. I’ve always been on the same team as him. “It wasn’t just good for me, it was good for my family to see that.”
The Frogs (5-1) next host Oral Roberts (4-3) at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Micah Peavy could hear his friends and family before the game and again later when the brothers guarded each other for the first time.
“I could see them all get their phones out and stuff. It was cool,” he said.
Even for TCU coach Jamie Dixon, who has been coaching since 1989, it was a rare event.
“That was a first,” Dixon said. “It was really unique.”
The brother vs. brother matchup is especially fortuitous because the game was originally scheduled for last season but postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before each game, Dixon has his players read the scouting report for the opposing team’s players. It crossed his mind to have Micah read DJ’s report.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a player with a brother on the other team,” Dixon said.
Micah Peavy had six points, eight rebounds and an assist in 25 minutes. DJ Peavy had four points, three assists and two rebounds in 23 minutes.
“It was good to try to get Micah going. Those are good things for us. He’s concerned about scoring, as all guys are, and I think it will come,” said Dixon, who noted that Peavy missed about a week with a shoulder injury. “His effort is good, he’s rebounding well, he’s playing really good defense.”
The brothers exchanged some friendly smack talk while on the court. Just like the old days in the gym. At one point, Micah said his brother tucked at his jersey.
“Every day, always fighting after because I never won when I was little,” Micah Peavy said. “But that changed when I got older.”
This story was originally published November 29, 2021 at 10:36 PM.
