Memorable moments: Key dates to TCU women’s basketball magical rise
Mark Campbell always believed he could do special things in Fort Worth, but even the second-year TCU coach must be surprised how quickly the Horned Frogs have risen in women’s college basketball.
In just two seasons, the Horned Frogs have gone from being one of the worst programs in the Power Four conferences to entering March Madness as a legitimate Final Four contender.
From signing some of the biggest names in the sport to achieving unprecedented success, TCU’s ascension has been rapid under Campbell. As the Horned Frogs prepare for their first NCAA tournament appearance in more than a decade, it’s time to reflect on just how far Campbell has brought the program in such a short amount of time.
Here are top 10 moments of the Campbell era in chronological order:
1. Campbell is hired
Date: March 21, 2023
Breakdown: Former TCU athletic director Jeremiah Donati took a big swing on a young, but promising head coach from Sacramento State. Campbell had only been at the helm two years at Sac State. But just two seasons after inheriting a 3-22 team Campbell led the Hornets to the program’s first NCAA Tournament while piling up a school-record 25 wins.
It was a preview of what was to come in Fort Worth. Campbell also took a leap of faith as he accepted the job despite never visiting Fort Worth. It was a decision that paid off in a big way.
2. TCU lands Prince, Conner, Owens
Date: April-May 2023
Breakdown: It didn’t take long for Campbell to show off his prowess as a recruiter. Less than a month on the job he landed Sedona Prince, a standout center that he coached during his time as an assistant at Oregon. A few days later Campbell signed Madison Conner from Arizona, a talented sharpshooter who was eager to find a bigger role. Conner emerged as one of the most underrated pickups in the country.
In May, the Horned Frogs signed Jaden Owens from Baylor to be the team’s point guard. Campbell said at the time she was one of the best point guards in the nation, and this trio made an immediate impact for TCU.
3. The first historic start
Date: December 2023
Breakdown: The Horned Frogs started the Campbell era fast, going 14-0, including 13-0 against nonconference opponents. TCU defeated Nebraska, 88-81, to win the Saint Pete Showcase in Florida in November 2023 and that was the first signature victory for the Horned Frogs.
TCU even earned a spot in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, rising as high as No. 23 in a terrific debut for Campbell. Prince and Conner showed signs of being one of the most dynamic duos in the country during the run.
4. Underfrogs upset UCF
Date: Jan. 23, 2024
Breakdown: After such a brilliant start to the season, the Horned Frogs ran into adversity during Big 12 play as injuries ravaged the roster. Prince, Conner and Owens suffered injuries during January, including Owens tearing her ACL. TCU endured more injuries during practice and had to forfeit two games to Kansas State and Iowa State which led to Campbell hosting open tryouts for walk-ons.
TCU signed Ella Hamlin, Piper Davis, Mekhaiya Moore and TCU volleyball player Sarah Sylvester just to have enough healthy players. In the first game after the two forfeits, TCU upset Central Florida in an emotional 66-60 victory. Hamlin earned a scholarship this season and Campbell said this was one of the most pivotal moments of his career.
5. TCU signs Hailey Van Lith
Date: April 2024
Breakdown: Despite the injuries, the Horned Frogs finished with a 21-12 record in Campbell’s first season. TCU wanted to find a lead guard to replace Owens. Originally that was supposed to be Haley Cavinder. But Cavinder opted to remain at Miami, which opened the door for TCU to sign former LSU and Louisville standout Hailey Van Lith.
Van Lith immediately brought national attention to the program and led a transfer class that also included USC’s Taylor Bigby, Oregon State’s Donovyn Hunter and Kentucky transfer Maddie Scherr. Van Lith’s arrival would take TCU to another level.
6. TCU defeats NC State
Date: Nov. 17, 2024
Breakdown: Campbell believed TCU had what it takes to be one of the best teams in college basketball, but his team needed to prove it. The Horned Frogs did that when they upset North Carolina State, 76-73, at Schollmaier Arena. The Wolfpack were ranked No. 13 at the time and coming off a Final Four appearance.
The win sent a message nationally that TCU wasn’t a team to be overlooked. Prince scored 31 points and grabbed 16 rebounds while Van Lith had 18 points and 10 assists.
7. TCU wins showdown with Notre Dame
Date: Nov. 29, 2024
Breakdown: The Horned Frogs showed the win over N.C. State wasn’t a fluke as TCU used a fourth-quarter surge to defeat a Top 5 Notre Dame team, 76-68, in the Cayman Island Classic. Van Lith and Prince combined to score 41 points as TCU outscored Notre Dame 31-12 in the fourth quarter. The Horned Frogs rose into the Top 10 of the polls after the win.
8. Historic wins over Baylor
Dates: Jan. 26 and March 2, 2025
Breakdown: The Horned Frogs secured two significant wins over rival Baylor in Big 12 regular-season play. The first came in January when the Horned Frogs snapped a 37-game, 35-year losing streak to the Bears in a thrilling 80-75 win in Fort Worth. Less than two months later the Horned Frogs would defeat the Bears in Waco 51-48 to capture the program’s first regular-season Big 12 championship.
9.Van Lith wins Big 12 Player of the Year
Date: March 4, 2025
Breakdown: Van Lith became the first Horned Frog to earn the Big 12 Conference’s Player of the Year honors after averaging 17.6 points and 5.4 assists during the regular season. Van Lith was also voted Newcomer of the Year, becoming the first conference player in 29 years to earn both Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year in the same season.
Van Lith was also voted first team All-Big 12 along with Prince and Conner. Prince also made the All-Defense team and Campbell was voted Coach of the Year.
10. TCU wins Big 12 Tournament
Date: March 9, 2025
Breakdown: The Horned Frogs defeated Baylor for a third time this season, beating the Bears in the Big 12 Tournament championship game in Kansas City. It was the program’s first tournament title in the Big 12 and secured the Horned Frogs’ first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2009-10.
TCU finished 31-3 and all projections indicate the Horned Frogs will host first- and second-round games in the NCAA Tournament.
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This story was originally published March 14, 2025 at 4:00 AM.
