TCU News: More Expansion Talk?

Football:

Patterson: Expansion would help TCU, but 'I like the model we have now' | The Star-Telegram

The doldrums of spring must be upon us if expansion talk is back in the news. The more interesting parts of the article might be the information about new grad assistant J.W. Walsh, who seems to be making his mark on the program, and some of the players that have emerged out of spring.

“Everybody wants to say you have to have expansion to have a better chance of playing for the national title,” Patterson said. “They should try to play everybody every year. That’s a tough situation.”

TCU Coach Gary Patterson gives high marks to J.W. Walsh | News OK

Speaking of Walsh, Patterson seems to be a fan of the coach's son, a young man who has fit in, works hard, and brings a lot of Big XII experience to the mix. It doesn't hurt that he had Doug Meacham singing his praises, either, I'm sure.

“That’s the guy that coach Meacham wanted,” TCU coach Gary Patterson said Tuesday during a Big 12 coaches teleconference. “He wanted another guy that knew the system."

Bob Stoops and Gary Patterson speak out against Big 12 expansion | Fox Sports

Patterson makes a really good point when he mentions that expansion would actually make things easier for TCU and their Big 12 partners - can you imagine if the rest of the Power Five teams had to play every conference opponent each season?

The great thing about having only 10 teams  in the conference is that it creates a true "round-robin" format, where everyone does play everyone else. If one team goes through that gauntlet and proves that they are clearly the best team in the conference --- as Oklahoma did last year --- why penalize it?

Spring depth chart breakdown: TCU | ESPN

Hoo boy, that wide receiving corp is going to give Big XII defenses nightmares all season long.

Turpin is one of the Big 12’s most explosive returning receivers with unmatched quickness and open-field ability. Gray returns from injury to provide another big play threat, and Slanina is a proven receiving option. The rest of the receiver group is full of promise, so TCU should be confident someone will step up to help replace Josh Doctson’s production.

Overlooked Doctson develops into standout WR | Panthers.com

While some have said he could fall as the third round, most analysts recognize what Doctson is: an elite talent who may be the best pure catcher of the ball to come along in years.

"My biggest strength as a football player is catching the ball – that’s what I am supposed to do," Docston said. "Doesn’t matter the situation. If the pass is behind me, doesn’t matter where it’s at, I am going to catch it. I am guy that is a consistent deep threat that will make the big catch and the big play when we need it."

Baseball:

TCU-ACU baseball game canceled; Frogs next at OSU in Big 12 | The Star-Telegram

While it's a bummer to have a Tuesday night without baseball, some extra rest may do the staff well, as each pitcher will work on a minimum of five days rest when they face off against Oklahoma State in Stillwater this weekend.

The schedule change leaves TCU to start a three-game series at Oklahoma State on Friday with at least five days’ rest for each pitcher. The Horned Frogs last played Saturday, when they defeated Oklahoma in a doubleheader.

Men's Basketball:

UALR adds TCU assistant coach to basketball staff | Arkansas Online

Kwanza Johnson has landed on his feet after spending the last three years on Trent Johnson's staff.

Johnson spent the past three seasons at TCU and has previously coached at Georgia, Nevada, Eastern Illinois and Tulsa and was an assistant on Porter Moser's staff at UALR in 2000-01.

Women's Basketball:

SHS grad Medley invited for WNBA tryout | The State Journal-Register

Zahna Medley, TCU's all-time leading scorer (men or women) earned an audition with the San Antonio Silver Stars, where she will try and make her WNBA dream come true.

“It’s the league,” Medley said. “I’m going to leave it all out there. I’m really focused on picking up the drills fast, learning fast, picking up the offenses and showing a lot of communications with my teammates and showing my endurance.”

Around Campus:

Schieffer family establishes full ride TCU scholarship | TCU 360

In a really great move, TCU icon and news legend Bob Schieffer has established a scholarship that will cover all costs for up to four students each year. This will become the most prestigious, and valuable, scholarship on campus, worth more than $200,000 over four years.

The value of the Gladys Payne Schieffer Scholarship, named in honor of Bob Schieffer’s mother, far exceeds that of the Chancellor’s Scholarship, formerly the most prestigious academic scholarship available at TCU.

The total cost of attendance for the 2016-2017 is projected to be more than $55,000. That would make the Schieffer scholarship worth more than $210,000 over four years. Chancellor’s Scholars receive full tuition for four years, currently valued around $162,000.