TCU Basketball Preview: Iowa State Cyclones

Game Time: 7:30pm CDT | Location: Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center
TV: ESPNews | Series: ISU leads 6-5 | Game Line: ISU -4.0

For the final time in Fort Worth, Kyan Anderson, Amric Fields, and Trey Zeigler will suit up for the Purple and White tonight. This trio of seniors, each unique in their own way, will be honored pre-game before facing off against Iowa State.

It is hard to adequately put into words the contributions made by Kyan Anderson during his four years at TCU. Anderson joined the program after graduating from North Crowley High School, just miles from the TCU campus. During his time at TCU, Anderson has rewritten the history books, entering the top ten in program history in 12 different offensive categories. He has been the glue for a program going through a rough transition into the Big 12.

Amric Fields, fresh off joining the 1,000 point club at TCU, will wrap up a five-year career that included a tremendous comeback after a knee injury in 2012. Fields opened his career at TCU by posting impressive numbers during his freshman and sophomore campaign, earning Mountain West Sixth Man of the Year honors in 2011. Fields has adjusted to his role off the bench this season, once again making significant contributions as TCU's main sixth man.

Trey Zeigler will finish his collegiate career after settling in at TCU this season. Zeigler began at Central Michigan, lighting up the MAC during his freshman and sophomore seasons. He transferred to Pittsburgh before his junior season, leading the Panthers to a 24-9 record and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. After sitting out last season due to the NCAA transfer rules, Zeigler jumped into the starting lineup at TCU and made an immediate impact.

The trio of seniors have led the way for the Frogs this season. Anderson, Fields, and Zeigler have accounted for 550 of TCU's 1,069 total points scored, nearly 51.4%. These three will each need to be on their game tonight if the Frogs are to upset the 17th-ranked Iowa State Cyclones.

Iowa State enters the game after a tremendous home comeback to defeat #15 Oklahoma on Monday. The Cyclones trailed the Sooners by 21 before a furious comeback that ultimately resulted in a 77-70 win, snapping a two-game losing streak. The Cyclones enter today's game with one of the most explosive offenses in the country. Each ISU starter averages in double-figures, and the Cyclones average nearly 80 points per game as a team.

Iowa State presents a unique challenge for a TCU defense that has posted some impressive numbers this season. After winning three of five and gaining some momentum, the Frogs suffered a Sooner State sweep, dropping games at Oklahoma and Oklahoma State last week. Most recently, TCU dropped an 82-70 contest to the Cowboys, allowing the Pokes to shoot 11/17 from behind the arc. The Frogs enter today's game riding a three-game home winning streak.

Iowa State is still playing for seeding in next week's Big 12 Tournament. The Cyclones, who are 21-8 on the season, enter the game tied with Oklahoma at 11-6 for second place in the Big 12. The Cyclones and Sooners split their season series, so the Big 12 tiebreaker rules could be exercised depending on the outcome of today's games. The Frogs are locked into the #9 seed in the Tournament and will play the loser of this afternoon's Texas-Kansas State game on Wednesday night in Kansas City.

Here are some other notes, provided by GoFrogs.com:

• TCU was receiving votes last month in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
• The last time TCU was receiving votes in February came during the 1998-99 campaign.
• TCU is 31-6 when leading at the half under head coach Trent Johnson.
• TCU has now held 30 opponents to 59 points or less under Trent Johnson.
• In its last three home outings, TCU has held Oklahoma State, Kansas State & Texas Tech to 55 points or below.
• TCU has out-rebounded its opposition 19 times this season.
• TCU has already bettered its win total from a year ago and 2011-12.
• TCU will play its 12th ranked opponent in 18 games this Saturday vs. Iowa State.
• Kyan Anderson is No. 6 all-time in scoring in program history with 1,589 points.
• Anderson passed TCU great Kurt Thomas in points for a career vs. K-State.
• Anderson moved into No. 1 all-time in program history in steals against Oklahoma State with now 167.
• Kenrich Williams has scored in double-figures in 14 of the 30 games this season.
• Williams had his second double-double of the season against Texas Tech with 10 points, 16 rebounds.
• Williams had a career-high 16 rebounds against Texas Tech.
• Trey Zeigler has scored in double-figures in 12 Big 12 games this year after scoring 10 at Oklahoma State.
• Amric Fields became the 33rd player in school history reach the 1,000-point club with 14 at OSU.