TCU vs. Texas final score: Frogs fall 66-48

Texas came in to TCU's temporary home on Monday night and did whatever they pleased, cruising to a 66-48 victory over the Horned Frogs.

TCU was outrebounded by Texas' massive frontcourt 41-30, with three Longhorns pulling down seven boards apiece.

The Frogs got off to an abysmal start and simply couldn't consistently break Texas' 1-3-1 zone to get back in it. On the night, the Frogs shot 33.3% from the floor, and a mere 16.7% from three point range. Kenrich Williams, who was inserted into the starting lineup a few games ago, was the lone Horned Frog to score in double digits, with ten points.

Kaviar Shepherd had six points and six boards in what had to be the most physical contest he's been involved in. He was constantly swarmed down low, and at one point found 6'9", 285 pound Cameron Ridley riding his shoulders.

Kyan Anderson couldn't buy a bucket, scoring just two points on the night.

Overall, TCU looked overwhelmed by Texas' zone, and couldn't consistently score enough to keep up. Meanwhile, their defense, while stout at times, allowed far too many second chance points for the Longhorns.

TCU made two pushes in the second half, one to cut the deficit to ten right out of the gate, and a second to cut the deficit to 14 with about 4 minutes left in the game. It seemed at both those points like the Frogs might claw their way back into the contest, but both times Texas' length and defense won out.

Probably the most defeating stat of the night though was TCU's free throw shooting, where they went 9-of-23. It might not seem like much in a blowout, but let's just say by some miracle TCU made all of its free throws tonight. All else the same, it's a 66-62 ballgame. Free throws change games, and when you keep missing them, it'll kill you.

Since starting Big 12 play TCU is 84-145 from the free throw line. That's 57.9% from the stripe. That's 61 missed free throws in five games. In their four losses, games they've lost by a total of 41 points, they've missed 50 free throws. That's right. 50 missed free throws, lost by a total of 41 points.

In fact, tonight was the first game in which TCU missed fewer free throws (14) than their margin of defeat (18). I'll have more on this in a post tomorrow, but that's why I keep harping on missed free throws. It's ridiculous.

TCU faces off against West Virginia on Saturday, January 24, looking to right the ship. Hopefully they hire a free throw coach between now and then.