TCU’s defense dominates in a lopsided win over Oklahoma
TCU held its first home game since their historic upset of Kansas over the weekend. Despite the dreary weather, 8,145 fans packed Schollmaier Arena, the second-largest crowd in arena history.
No. 11 TCU dominated the game from the opening tip-off, scoring the first 11 points in a Big 79-52 victory over Oklahoma. The 11-0 run that was a microcosm of the game: a stifling Horned Frog defense that turning into fastbreak opportunities.
Mike Miles Jr. was again the catalyst, making plays on both ends of the court. He finished with a game-high 23 points.
“It was huge finally seeing everyone back you know finally having our student section back to how it was last year, it’s good seeing everyone bringing energy to the game,” Miles said.
The home crowd was into the game from the start, heartily booing Oklahoma senior star guard Grant Sherfield every time he touched the ball. The Horned Frogs fed off the crowd’s energy.
The Sooners entered the game as one of the best three-point shooting teams in the Big 12, averaging 35%. TCU’s defense only allowed Oklahoma to shoot 5-of-19 (26.3%) from three and 31% from the field. The Sooners struggled with TCU’s defensive pressure and were unable to create separation of the dribble to open up their three-point shooters and were forced to consistently shoot threes out of rhythm.
“We just locked in on defense, our coaches said limit them to five or less[three-pointers] and that’s what we did,” said junior guard Micah Peavy.
TCU’s defense also shined against Sherfield who came into the game as one of the Big 12’s leading scorers. The Horned Frogs held him to five points on 2-of-11 shooting and most impressively 1-of-8 from three-point range in a complete team effort.
“The switching had a lot to do with it, we did more switching we made it clear that we did not want him [Grant Sherfield] to get any looks,” said TCU head coach Jamie Dixon, “Our thing is about team defense its not one guy. “
As it has all season TCU’s defense fueled its offense as the Horned Frogs scored 16 points off turnovers and 25 points on the fastbreak.
A fastbreak, often led by MIkes, ho had another masterful performance on 6-of-9 shooting while going 10-of-10 from the charity stripe. Miles Jr made more free throws than the entire Oklahoma team and got to the basket at will.
“Not a lot of people can stop me going downhill,” said Miles Jr, “it worked tonight, 10-for-10 I’m glad I made all my free throws.”
Miles Jr’s dominance was showcased during a sequence where he forced and scored on back-to-back turnovers to start the second half.
The entire Horned Frogs team imposed their will on offense getting to the line 29 times in the game. TCU’s crisp passing was a major factor in their accumulation of free throws and the success of their offense exemplified by their 14 assists to only 8 turnovers.
TCU also continued its recently improved three-point shooting making 6-of-17 shots.
In their last two games, the Horned Frogs have made 44% of their threes which is well above their season average of 30%. However, TCU still isn’t overly focused on the three-point shot despite their recent success.
“Defense and rebounding have to be the constant because sometimes your not gonna make the open threes and they’re not gonna fall,” said Dixon.
TCU’s defensive performance was made all the more impressive by the absence of senior center Eddie Lampkin Jr.
Lampkin Jr was out with an injury suffered against Kansas, there is no update on his availability for TCU’s next game.
TCU has played one of their best two-game stretches of the season and they know how hard they’ll be to beat if they continue to play at this level.
“I think we’re the best team in the country when we play like this,” said Peavy, “I think we have all the guys we need to go ahead and win.”
TCU will take break from its conference schedule and play in the SEC-Big 12 challenge, traveling to Mississippi State on Saturday at 3 p.m. (ESPN2).
