Coming off COVID pause, TCU basketball looks to make history versus top-ranked Baylor
It’s happened once in program history. Once.
The TCU men’s basketball team has taken out a No. 1 -ranked team one time, and that team was the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2017 Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City. The Horned Frogs have fallen the eight other times they’ve faced the top-ranked team in the country.
But TCU has another chance to defeat the No. 1 team with the Baylor Bears coming to town on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. at Schollmaier Arena. It’s just the second time in program history that the No. 1-ranked team is visiting Fort Worth. Kansas defeated TCU, 85-66, in a nonconference game in December 2003.
“For me, I’ve been around it. I’ve been No. 1 before, we’ve beaten No. 1,” said TCU coach Jamie Dixon. “With that said, I think I mentioned to our guys that they’re No. 1. I’ve obviously mentioned they’re good. I don’t really watch the rankings that close.
“But whatever it takes. We want to get the best crowd we can. We want to create the best atmosphere we can and be the best team we can be. Whatever it takes to do that. But there’s a number in front of Baylor and it’s accurate. They’ve earned it.”
The Bears (14-0) are the defending national champions and one of only three undefeated teams remaining in the country along with USC and Colorado State.
TCU, meanwhile, is off to a 10-1 start but has been battling COVID issues of late. The Frogs haven’t played since Dec. 21 and had only five scholarship players available for practice until most of the team returned Wednesday.
The Frogs went through a full practice Thursday and should have 10 scholarship players ready to go for Saturday’s game.
“It is what it is. No excuses,” Dixon said. “We had five shutdowns last year and they didn’t give us any bonus points. I don’t anticipate that this year. We have to find a way.
“People ask, ‘How are you making it a positive that he’s out for two weeks?’ There is no positive. You don’t get better. Sitting out is not good. You’ve got to reinforce that you fall behind and this is the wrong league to do that in. When the time comes, you’ve got to make yourself as ready as possible and mentally as tough as possible and find a way.”
The players are buying into that mindset. They understand the setback the 18-day COVID pause has created but are driven to regain the momentum they had on the heels a seven-game winning streak.
“We just have to dig deep,” said junior forward Emanuel Miller, who is averaging 11.3 points per game. “Baylor is the No. 1 team in the country right now and we know what they’re capable of. We also know what we’re capable of and we have to go out and execute and follow the game plan.”
Added sophomore guard Mike Miles: “[Baylor] had a lot of people leave last year to go to the [NBA], but they reloaded. We’ve watched them. They’re still good on defense, good on offense. We’re prepared for them. We’re going to do our best.”
Redshirt seasons?
TCU is expecting senior guard Maxwell Evans and junior guard Shahada Wells to redshirt this season, Dixon said.
Evans (Vanderbilt) and Wells (UT-Arlington) joined the program as transfers last offseason. Evans, who is battling a shoulder injury, has averaged 3.8 points in four games. Wells, who is battling a knee injury, has averaged 1.9 points in seven games.
Evans last played on Nov. 24, while Wells has been sidelined since Dec. 8.
Briefly
▪ TCU’s last victory over a ranked team was a 75-72 victory over then-No. 2 Baylor on Feb. 29, 2020, at Schollmaier Arena.
▪ Baylor leads the all-time series 101-85.
▪ TCU has won two of its last three Big 12 openers, including an 85-81 victory over Baylor during the 2018-19 season.
