TCU men’s basketball enters Top 25, routs Grambling
After more than 15 years, TCU returned to the AP men’s college basketball poll, debuting at No. 25 just hours ahead of Monday’s 80-39 victory over Grambling State.
For coach Trent Johnson, it could be a milestone just 2 1/2 years into his rebuilding attempt.
Yeah, right.
“We haven’t built anything,” he said.
Bah, humbug.
It sure does look like the beginning of something, however.
The Horned Frogs (12-0), last ranked in January 1999, continued the best start in team history behind 17 points from Kyan Anderson and their usual defensive formula — winning in rebounds (43-34), blocking double-digit shots (the sixth time in 12 games) and field-goal defense (23.9 percent).
TCU entered the game third in the Big 12 in rebounding margin (plus-10.2), field-goal defense (34.9 percent) and second in blocks per game (6.5).
It’s evidence of the health and athleticism of the Frogs, who missed both the last two seasons in going 20-43, including winless in the Big 12 last year.
“We’re capable of playing a high caliber of basketball versus certain teams, certain players,” Johnson said.
Grambling (2-8) is not the caliber of competition the Frogs will face in January.
But in their last game before the Christmas break, the Frogs looked sharp against a team they expected to look sharp against.
Chris Washburn and Kenrich Williams each had two blocks. Eleven players had a rebound for TCU, including 7-foot-1 center Link Kabadyundi, who had eight in eight minutes. Anderson, with three steals, was one of seven players with a steal for the Frogs.
Four players hit a 3-pointer — freshman guard Chauncey Collins was 4 for 4 — and all but two players scored.
Devonta Abron played a season-high 16 minutes and had one point, three rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal. And Amric Fields played 15 minutes and had eight points, five rebounds, a block, an assist and a steal.
“Basically all we’ve done right now is — I use the word ‘manage’ — manage our schedule and won the games we’re supposed to win,” Johnson said. “It’s nice that we’re winning. It’s nice that we’re taking care of the ball. It’s nice that we’re getting contributions from a lot of people.
“But we still got a long ways to go. We’re 12 games into this thing.”
The Frogs have one nonconference game left, Monday at the University Recreation Center against 2-10 Tennessee State. Then, they start the conference schedule Jan. 3 against No. 18 West Virginia at the Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center, their home this year while Daniel-Meyer Coliseum undergoes a renovation.
Until then, they have three days off for Christmas. Maybe the significance of their No. 25 ranking will sink in.
Johnson shrugged.
“For me, when this thing is built is when we’re having a conversation about being in multiple NCAA tournaments — four out of five years, five out of six years,” he said. “That’s when it’s a finished product. Everywhere I’ve ever been, whether it’s been Stanford or it’s been Nevada or it’s been LSU, that’s when it’s been finished.
“Right now, we’re 12 games into the year. There’s a lot of basketball left to be played. A long way to go.”
Carlos Mendez, 817-390-7407
This story was originally published December 22, 2014 at 11:07 PM with the headline "TCU men’s basketball enters Top 25, routs Grambling."