TCU Basketball Preview Series: Abilene Christian

In their last home game before Winter Break, the Frogs will look to improve to 17-0 all-time against the Abilene Christian Wildcats. TCU's average margin of victory in the first 16 games of the series is nearly 22 points.

Game 10: Abilene Christian Wildcats

Game Information

Date: Sunday, December 20
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena - Fort Worth, TX
TV: FOX Sports Southwest

Know the Foe

Conference: Southland
Location: Abilene, TX
Head Coach: Joe Golding

2014-2015 Record: 10-21 (4-14)
Postseason: None
Key Losses: G Harrison Hawkins, G LaDarrien Williams, F Christian Albright
Key Returners: G Parker Wentz, F Austin Cooke, F Duran Porter
New Additions: F Hayden Howell, F Jaren Lewis, G Jaylen Franklin

Summary

Joe Golding is entering his third season at Abilene Christian, looking to make meaningful improvement in his big rebuilding project. He oversaw 11-20 and 10-21 seasons in his first two seasons at ACU. Luckily for Golding, he will have a couple of key contributors back this season. Parker Wentz was a consistent scorer for the Wildcats last year, averaging 11.7 points per game on 42.0% shooting from the field. Behind Wentz, Austin Cooke is another solid scorer, averaging 9.7 points per game. Cooke also led the team in rebounds, with 6.0 per game.

After Wentz and Cooke, the Wildcats' roster thins out a bit. Four other players return from a year ago, however they combined to average just 11.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. ACU will feature seven newcomers, including six true freshmen. If he wants to find success in 2015, Golding is going to have to get a lot out of his young talent to support the returning cast.

Prediction

TCU 77, Abilene Christian 59

For the second straight game, the Frogs will be big favorites over their opposition. Expect the TCU defense to contain an ACU offensive front that is relatively young and inexperienced. Games like this will be important for developing the Frogs' offense as it finds its identity. The only thing that stands in the way of a Horned Frog blowout is a nine-day layoff preceding the game for final exams week.

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Opponent Team Previews:
Game 1: Southeastern Louisiana
Game 2: Houston Baptist
Game 3: South Dakota State
Game 4: Rhode Island
Game 5: Maryland /Illinois State
Game 6: SMU
Game 7: Colgate
Game 8: Washington
Game 9: Prairie View A&M
Game 10: Abilene Christian
Game 11: Bradley (10/24)
Game 12: Delaware State (10/25)
Games 13 & 24: Oklahoma State (10/26)
Games 14 & 25: West Virginia (10/27)
Games 15 & 20: Texas (10/28)
Games 16 & 29: Baylor (10/30)
Games 17 & 23: Kansas (10/31)
Games 18 & 28: Texas Tech (11/1)
Games 19 & 27: Iowa State (11/2)
Game 21: Tennessee (11/3)
Games 22 & 31: Oklahoma (11/4)
Games 26 & 30: Kansas State (11/5)