TCU basketball could be special next year — but can it keep its top players?
TCU’s men’s basketball season came to an end with a disappointing 81-58 defeat to No. 1 overall seed Duke in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday.
Despite the final margin, the future could be bright for the Horned Frogs if the program is able to retain most of its important contributors.
The only players projected to leave are senior guard Jayden Pierre and senior center Vianney Salatchoum. Pierre will be missed for sure, as he averaged 10.1 points per game and served as a secondary ball handler with junior Brock Harding. Salatchoum was a reserve who appeared in 23 games, but averaged less than a bucket per game.
Harding, junior center Xavier Edmonds, sophomore forward David Punch and sophomore forward Micah Robinson all have the option to return next season.
As painful as the loss to the Blue Devils was, all the remaining players from the starting lineup believe in what TCU could be next season after the Horned Frogs (23-12) won 10 of their final 13 games, including wins over Texas Tech and Iowa State, then Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament.
“I’ll remember the way we persevered, the way we stayed committed to this program,” Edmonds said. “There were so many times we could have just gave up and turned our backs on each other, but everybody just stayed together. We wanted the best for each other and knew how good we were. It sucks we couldn’t come out with a win, but we even had moments in this game where we fought, and that says a lot about our character.”
TCU started the season losing to New Orleans only to respond with wins over Florida and Wisconsin. The defending national champion Gators later earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The Horned Frogs ran into more adversity with a 3-6 start in Big 12 play, but when it mattered most, TCU dug deep and rallied to win the most Big 12 games in program history.
“I’m proud of how they grew and how they came together,” TCU coach Jamie Dixon said. “We finished way higher than everybody predicted, and I think there was a great confidence about them.”
The Horned Frogs were picked to finish 10th in the league, but came in sixth ahead of teams like BYU and Baylor.
TCU easily could go into next season viewed as a contender for the league title if the Horned Frogs can retain their core, but that’s not a given in this era of college basketball.
Key decisions need to be made
The thought has already crossed the mind of Edmonds and Punch about what next year could be if they both return. Edmonds was playing in junior college last season, but molded himself into a third-team All-Big 12 selection.
The 6-foot-8 Edmonds stepped in after Malick Diallo suffered a season-ending injury in the opener and showed he’s talented enough to play center in the toughest league in America. His versatility on offense and tenacity as a rebounder were big reasons TCU got into the NCAA Tournament, and his chemistry with Punch made the duo one of the best in the conference.
“Me and some of the guys were [talking] about it earlier today. We just know we have one of the youngest teams, so much potential,” Edmonds said. “I think that’ll be the main goal this summer is just trying to get everybody to come back. We know how special we could be.”
Punch also made a big leap. He was TCU’s leading scorer at 14.1 points per game and one of the best rim protectors in the league. His athleticism, defense and growing offensive game could earn him preseason All-Big 12 honors next season.
“We’ve had our talks throughout the season. It’s something we’re all committed to,” Punch said. “[We’ve] got some decisions to make, but we know how good we can be if we stay together.”
Punch and Edmonds play two of the most valuable positions in college basketball. It’s hard to find quality big men who can play on both sides of the court. Teams will surely come calling to wonder about their availability.
Robinson is another player the program will need to prioritize to return. His insertion into the starting lineup helped spark the Horned Frogs’ late-season surge.
Robinson scored a team-high 18 points each against Ohio State and Duke in the NCAA Tournament, showcasing his growth as a shooter and value as a defender. Robinson was a big reason TCU was able to hold ACC Player of the Year Cameron Boozer to just two points in the first half despite the size difference.
Robinson is also one of the most important recruits to sign with TCU, as he’s the fourth-highest-ranked recruit to join TCU since 2003. It’s rare for the Horned Frogs to sign recruits of his caliber, and it would help the program if he remained and continued to develop.
“We showed what [we can be] this year,” Robinson said. “And that was with everyone still trying to get used to playing with each other. I feel the sky’s going to be the limit if we can make that happen. Decisions are going to be made, but at the end of the day, I feel like we can be a special group if we want to come back.”
Retaining this trio could ultimately decide what’s possible next season, but it’s not the only decision TCU will eagerly await.
Don’t forget about ‘Bugg’
Robinson may be the fourth-highest recruit to sign with TCU, but the second-highest is freshman guard Kayden “Bugg” Edwards. The former Duncanville star appeared in just 14 games this season, mostly in garbage time.
“It’s definitely a big adjustment coming from a school where you play all the minutes,” Edwards said after the loss to Duke. “It’s definitely hard as the only freshman on the team feeling like you can help, feeling like you can come in and give the team a spark. But, I mean, God has a plan for me, and as a long as he keeps waking me up to see another day, I’m gonna keep working my butt off and continue to stay ready.”
Edwards said he still learned a lot this season observing older guards like Pierre and Harding having a “next play” mentality.
Edwards could be the ideal replacement for Pierre, as the 6-2 guard rose up the recruiting rankings with his ability to shoot the 3 and score in a variety of ways.
But the Horned Frogs could also return junior Tanner Toolson, along with redshirt freshman Ashton Simmons and redshirt sophomore RJ Jones at the guard positions. TCU also will bring in another top-ranked junior college player in guard Trent Lincoln and will probably look to add another experienced guard in the transfer portal.
Edwards also believes in the potential of next year, but his decision may be more complex than the older players.
“It definitely could really be special, but at the same time, I’m gonna make the best decision for me,” Edwards said. “God has a plan for me and wherever that is, that’s where I’m gonna be, but I would like to stay.”
TCU could be a great team next year, or it could have to rebuild in the offseason. Before the NCAA Tournament, Dixon asked those around Fort Worth what they wanted the program to be: the one punching above its weight class, or the one competing financially with the elites of the Big 12.
That desire to invest could be the difference in the Horned Frogs being a Sweet 16-caliber team or one that will have to fight to stay on the bubble.
This story was originally published March 22, 2026 at 5:18 PM.
