TCU News: Patterson relying on kicker at DE, Basketball tips off tonight

Basketball:

TCU basketball’s success helps raise profile on campus: ‘That’s something that’s new here’ | The Star-Telegram

Jamie Dixon has bought in in every regard, and that affects the players in a positive way, too.

Dixon’s comedic turn in a couple of promotional videos produced by the TCU athletic department last season were a big hit. He’s up for whatever it takes to spread the word on the program.

“I’ll do whatever they want me to do. I’m past being embarrassed at this point. I’m too old to get embarrassed now,” Dixon said. “We’re sold out but it’s about getting your brand out there and letting people know the kids and know us. We have good, outgoing kids who like to get out and talk to people. It’s important that we get them out there and they see their personalities.”

Men’s basketball season preview: TCU has become the state’s top team; Tech’s Jarrett Culver, SMU’s Jarrey Foster the top players | Sports Day

Pretty amazing to see how quickly things changed around TCU hoops.

1. TCU

The No. 20 Horned Frogs graduated a handful of playmakers, and they’ll need Jaylen Fisher to stay healthy once he returns from yet another surgery. Still, exciting times for TCU. (Dean Straka)

Football:

What happens when you run out of bodies? Gary Patterson’s TCU is closer to finding out than it’d like to be | Sports Day

I mean, this pretty much sums it up.

“It’s probably hard for [opponents] to game plan because you don’t have the same safeties every week playing the same position,” Patterson said. “So there’s some advantages to it I suppose.”

Of course, when you have a kicker playing defensive end on the scout team -- “just to be a body,” Patterson said -- humor is where you find it.

Soccer:

WCC champion BYU will travel to TCU for NCAA women’s soccer tournament first-round match | Salt Lake Tribune

BYU is a tough test for the Frogs, but they will have a serious home field advantage.

“TCU has had a great season,” BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood said. “I feel like we’ve seen some of the top teams in the nation and we’ve played up to the level of competition each time. We are just proud to represent the WCC.”

The Cougars are returning to the NCAA Tournament after missing it last year and will be making their 19th appearance. They lost 1-0 to South Carolina in the 2016 tournament’s third round.

BYU’s RPI is 44, while TCU’s is 20. The teams faced one common opponent, Santa Clara. The Broncos downed the Horned Frogs 3-0 on Sept. 13 and lost 2-0 to BYU on Oct. 27.