Game Preview: TCU vs. No. 25 Kansas State

TCU's five game winning streak came to a halt on Saturday with a 74-69 loss to West Virginia, but they have a chance (albeit a slim one) to get back into the win column on Tuesday night.

The No. 25 Kansas State Wildcats come to town fresh off a 74-71 victory over the then No. 6 Oklahoma State Cowboys, thanks in large part to Marcus Foster and Nino Williams, who combined for 32 points.

Meanwhile the Frogs saw rebounding and free throws beat them against the Mountaineers, as they shot a poor 58% from the charity stripe while only pulling down 30 rebounds. Meanwhile, they allowed West Virginia to grab 38 boards, including 17 offensive rebounds. Amric Fields, Kyan Anderson and Hudson Price all missed multiple free throws, with Fields and Price doing so down the stretch. Total they missed seven freebies, which is something to point at when you lose, and is something to highlight when you lose by five.

For the first time, we saw what happens when a team crashes the boards hard against the Frogs, and we saw the full reality of what happens when Karviar Shepherd isn't on the court.

Fields is a decent rebounder but he's only 6'9". At one point, with Fields and Shepherd both out of the game, we saw a frontcourt of Price (6'6"), Brandon Parrish (6'6") and Jarvis Ray (6'6"). That's just not going to get it done.

Against Kansas State, a team similar in size to TCU, rebounding will be huge. Especially when you consider that Kansas State is an abysmal shooting team, making just 41.4% from the floor as a team. There will be rebounds aplenty in this contest, and it's essential that the Frogs at least break even on the boards.

Not to mention, it will also be imperative for guys like Kyan Anderson to stay out of foul trouble. When Anderson fouled out against West Virginia it forced Michael Williams into a pressure situation, one that he isn't quite ready for.

The Frogs have a shot if they get back to what they've been doing well this season: making free throws and playing strong defense. Having a good night on the boards will seal the deal.

Prediction: Kansas State 78, TCU 75.