Why transfer point guard Brock Harding could be the key for TCU men’s basketball
One reason TCU men’s basketball failed to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021 last season was the lack of consistency at point guard.
The Horned Frogs lost starting point Frankie Collins to a season-ending injury in December and never quite recovered from his absence.
Even in 2023, the position was unsettled, as Jameer Nelson Jr. and Avery Anderson had their ups and downs transitioning from scoring guards to point guard.
But one reason to believe TCU can get to March Madness this season is the arrival of Iowa transfer point guard Brock Harding, a true floor general who could provide stability to the half-court offense.
“Pass-first point guard was our priority, and those are hard to get,” TCU coach Jamie Dixon said. “I’ve had a lot of those, and [Harding] fits that mold.”
Brock Harding improved as sophomore at Iowa
After averaging 3.4 points and 2.6 assists as a freshman, the 6-foot Harding saw his role and production increase with the Hawkeyes last season.
Harding started 24 games and averaged 8.8 points and 5.3 assists and shot 39.8% from 3-point range. But Harding entered the portal after Iowa finished 17-16.
“I think I was just looking for a place I could call home, a place I could be comfortable,” Harding said. “I wanted to have full trust in the coaching staff and know they have full trust in me. Finding a place, no matter where it was, that I could play my game on the court.”
Harding said that the Horned Frogs were one of the first schools to reach out to him when he entered the transfer portal and quickly made him a priority.
Everyone he talked to about Dixon and TCU offered glowing reviews on how the players were treated on and off the court. Harding said he was enticed by environment TCU could provide, but it was really Dixon’s system that ended up being the biggest selling point.
The Horned Frogs have been one of the nation’s best teams the past few years with their fast-break offense. Without Collins last season, TCU couldn’t be as up-tempo as it desired, but that should change with Harding, who feels like he’s a perfect fit for the system.
“I’m an undersized guard, so being able to do things on the fly and not letting the defense set up [is big],” Harding said. “Playing up-tempo plays into my intuition skills, being able to read passing lanes and getting steals on the break, and that leads to us running fast breaks, and that’s where I think I’m at my best, controlling the game that way.”
The junior already showed a glimpse of his playmaking ability in TCU’s 88-54 exhibition win over Tarleton State on Sunday; he scored eight points and tied for a team-high four assists with just one turnover.
Another reason TCU stood out to Harding was the opportunity to play in a conference that’s even better than the Big Ten. The Illinois native has played the likes of Michigan and Michigan State, but understands it’ll be a different challenge in the best basketball conference in America.
“Growing up, those [Big 12] teams are the ones you saw in the national championship and March Madness,” Harding said. “I’m from more of a Big Ten area, but [the Big 12] is always winning the big games. You always hear about the environments in Allen Fieldhouse. Texas Tech and Houston have great environments.
“Putting myself in those environments is where I think I excel, and I’m excited to go to war with the guys.”
Welcoming freshman Kayden ‘Bugg’ Edwards
That mentality is one reason Harding has already made a strong impression on teammates like freshman guard Kayden “Bugg” Edwards from Duncanville.
“He’s definitely a leader. He talks nonstop in a good way,” Edwards said. “Whenever we’re messing up, he calls us together, and we get it done. He’s a dog. When I was coming in as a freshman, he just instilled in me that, ‘Bugg, it doesn’t matter if you’re a freshman or not. You’re here for a reason.’
“He’s like a big brother to me. Whenever I am down on myself he makes sure to come over to talk to me.”
It’s not just Edwards who has been impressed by Harding. Returning sophomore forward Micah Robinson said it’s been an eye-opening experience playing with him.
“He’s going to be a game-changer,” Robinson said. “I’ve never really played with anybody like him before. His game is so unique. The way he goes about himself with his work and how he handles his business, it’s just something that stands out to me. We’re going to go as far as he can take us.”
Harding’s leadership and intangibles won’t show up on the box score, but it could show up in the win column if everything goes as planned for the Horned Frogs.
Harding’s goal is to get the Horned Frogs back where they belong in the NCAA Tournament.
“Getting to the tournament is the baseline of what we want to do,” Harding said. “We want to have a really good Big 12 season. We got some big games early in the nonconference to set us up to have a big run in the Big 12, and win a few games in March is for sure what we’re looking forward to.”
TCU opens the season against New Orleans at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 at Schollmaier Arena.
