TCU Basketball Preview Series: Delaware State

TCU will face the Delaware State Hornets in their final non-conference tune-up before Big 12 play begins. Before we turn the calendar to 2016, let's take a look at the Frogs' final opponent of the year.

Game 12: Delaware State Hornets

Game Information

Date: Monday, December 28
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena - Fort Worth, TX
TV: FOX Sports Southwest Plus

Know the Foe

Conference: Mid-Eastern Athletic
Location: Dover, DE
Head Coach: Keith Walker

2014-2015 Record: 18-18 (9-7)
Postseason: CBI First Round
Key Losses: G Amere May, C Kendall Gray, F Tyshawn Bell
Key Returners: G DeAndre Haywood, G Todd Hughes, G Larry Haley
New Additions: G Malik Carter, G Joseph Lewis, G Dana Raysor

Summary

One of the themes of TCU's non-conference schedule is teams looking to replace a major amount of production from last season. Delaware State is no different. The Hornets have lost their top four scorers from a year ago, including Amere May, the spark plug that made his team go. May averaged 21.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game and was a big reason why the Hornets were able to win 18 games. The team is also losing Kendall Gray, a double-double machine that finished the season averaging 11.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. Gray posted a double-double in 17 of his 33 games a year ago, including a 33 points, 30 rebound performance against Coppin State in March. Oh, and he also shot a blistering 55.1% from the field.

In addition to returners DeAndre Haywood and Todd Hughes, the Hornets will rely on a trio of JuCo transfers to make up for lost production. New Mexico Junior College will be well represented in this affair as Delaware State's Malik Carter and Joseph Lewis and TCU's Malique Trent were all teammates at NMJC a year ago. In addition, TCU guard Kenrich Williams transferred from NMJC two years ago, and TCU assistant Chris Tifft was the head coach at NMJC before joining Trent Johnson's staff in Fort Worth. While Trent was the leader of the Thunderbirds last season, Carter and Lewis contributed off the bench. The Hornets will need those two, as well as San Jacinto Community College transfer Dana Raysor to step up if they want to return to the postseason.

Prediction

TCU 74, Delaware State 61

With 11 games under their belt to figure themselves out, the Frogs shouldn't have too much trouble with Delaware State. The TCU defense will be able to limit the Hornets' offense, so it will be up to whether or not the Frogs'  offense can find a rhythm and take advantage of scoring opportunities.

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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
Game 12: Delaware State
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)