No. 15 TCU looking to avoid upset at Oklahoma State
After an impressive victory over West Virginia on Tuesday, No. 15 TCU travels to face Oklahoma State on Saturday at 1 p.m.
The Cowboys have been solid so far in conference play with a 4-5 record in the Big 12 including a win at home over No. 13 Iowa State on Jan. 21.
TCU will once again be without Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year Mike Miles Jr. (knee) and likely Eddie Lampkin Jr. Lampkin surprised many by playing eight minutes in the win over West Virginia, but he’s still clearly dealing with the impact of the ankle injury.
So like every other Big 12 game this season, Saturday’s game should be challenging. If TCU was at full strength, this would be a potential trap game with TCU facing three ranked opponents in a row after this matchup, but with the Horned Frogs short-handed, they can’t afford to overlook anybody.
Here are the keys to the game:
Defensive force
The Cowboys are one of the best defensive teams in the country holding opponents to just 63 points per game. That’s good for 30th in the country. Oklahoma State is also Top-20 in defensive rating. The gritty defense is how the Cowboys have been able to tread water despite a lackluster offense.
Oklahoma State doesn’t force a ton of turnovers and instead relies on sound, disciplined defense to fluster opponents. Opponents are shooting under 38% from the field against the Cowboys, which is top five nationally. Oklahoma State is also holding opponents under 30% from 3-point range.
TCU’s transition offense will continue to be key as the Horned Frogs will try to attack a great defense without their top scorer. Damion Baugh flirted with a triple-double with 16 points, 10 assists and six rebounds over West Virginia. Baugh has shown constantly he can control the game with his speed and vision and will have to do the same to avoid letting Oklahoma State set its defense.
Oklahoma State is just 1-3 when an opponent scores 70 points or more. That’s the goal for TCU, who is averaging 77.5
Rebounding battle
Saturday will be a clash of the two of the best rebounding teams in the Big 12. Oklahoma State leads the league in rebounding while TCU is narrowly behind at third. The two teams are separated by .3 rebounds.
Four of TCU’s losses saw the Horned Frogs lose the battle on the glass, so you understand why coach Jamie Dixon focuses it on that area of the game daily. Oklahoma State has good size led by 6-foot-9 senior forward Kalib Boone. Boone leads the team 11.6 points per game and is second on the roster in rebounding.
Reinging Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Moussa Cisse also returns and is getting healthier. He averages over eight boards a game. Syracuse transfer Woody Newton is another good depth piece at 6’8 off the bench for the Cowboys. It’ll be one of the better frontcourts TCU has dealt with.
Quick hitters
On the wing the Cowboys are led by senior Avery Anderson and Bryce Thompson. Both average exactly 11.1 points per game. Anderson has been a double-digit scorer for the last three seasons while Thompson was a former five-star recruit in the Class of 2020. He originally signed with Kansas before transferring to Stillwater.
TCU guard Rondel Walker is returning back to his old stomping grounds and could be an X-Factor for TCU. Walker was at Oklahoma State for two seasons before landing in Fort Worth. Walker has been in an offensive funk since averaging nine points in the Emerald Coast Classic in late November. Could Saturday be the day for a breakout game?
Broadcast info
When: Saturday, Feb. 4 at 1 p.m.
Where: Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
TV: ESPN+
This story was originally published February 3, 2023 at 11:11 AM.
