TCU News: Robinson overcomes personal tragedy to leave his mark at TCU

Baseball:

Two runs in bottom of ninth give TCU win over UC Irvine | The Star-Telegram

This could have been over much earlier, but credit the Frogs for not giving up.

TCU scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning - on a bases loaded walk and a sacrifice fly - as the Horned Frogs rallied past Cal Irvine in Friday’s opener of a three-game series at Lupton Stadium.

Senior outfielder A.J. Balta was the provider of the game-winning RBI to go with three hits in the game. The fly out scored pinch runner Colton Parrish from third base and improved third-ranked TCU to 6-2 overall. The bases were loaded after Zach Humphreys drew a base-filling walk in an eight-pitch at-bat.

Basketball:

Horrific night changed Alex Robinson and helped lead him back to TCU | The Star-Telegram

I had no idea Robinson had been through this tragedy... what he has overcome, and what he continues to have to process, is a lot for a young man. But he has handled himself with grace and class, and will leave his mark on TCU in many ways.

Moments later they realized their friends had left the road and struck a tree. One of the girls, Corinthia Cunningham-Williams, 22, was killed instantly. The others, including Rene Contreras and Tyra Preston, both 20, were clinging to life.

Robinson and one of his passengers rushed to the wreckage while the other called police. Emmou seemed to still be breathing, but her body was too entangled in the smashed Honda Civic.

”We tried to get Alexis out, but half of her body was between the door and dashboard and we didn’t want to hurt her any more,” Robinson said.

It’s win or no NCAA Tournament this weekend for TCU women’s hoops | The Star-Telegram

The Frogs probably need to win two games to make it to the NCAA Tournament... and that would likely mean defeating #1 seed Baylor.

The Frogs, who last played in a conference tournament semifinal in 2011 at the Mountain West Tournament, have sputtered a bit since that win over OU, losing 3 of 9 and two in a row.

They’re currently not projected to make the NCAA Tournament, according to ESPN’s Bracketology with Charlie Creme. Oklahoma is projected as one of the “First four out.”

Baylor (2-seed in Lexington Region), Texas (2-seed in Kansas City Region), and Oklahoma State (9-seed in Albany Region) are the only Big 12 teams projected to go dancing, according to Creme.

Football:

TCU position battles aplenty as spring practice begins | TheStar-Telegram

The two biggest questions are probably linebacker - where the Frogs have to replace one of the most productive players in their history - and offensive line, where it will be a lot of new faces.

4. Linebacker

Alex Bush will step into the big shoes left by Travin Howard, who led the Frogs in tackles the past three seasons as the strong side linebacker. Arico Evans could slide over from the middle linebacker slot and also see time at the strong side. Alec Dunham and Montrel Wilson will also challenge for playing time.

5. Offensive line

The most wide open area on the team is the offensive line. Four starters need to be replaced. Replacing left tackle Joseph Noteboom is the biggest concern. It will likely come down to Lucas Niang and Anthony McKinney, an early enrolled signee from Iowa Western Community College. Complicating matters is the loss of Sam Awolope, who left the program for undisclosed reasons.

TCU football recruiting: Updates on Horned Frogs’ next class | DieHards

If the Frogs sign one of these guys in 2019, I will be ecstatic.

4-star WR Theo Wease, Allen (Allen, Texas) – Uncommitted

The nation’s No. 30 overall prospect has TCU among his top schools. Theo Wease visited campus in January, and TCU is the closest Power 5 program to his hometown of Allen, Texas. Getting his commitment would be a major accomplishment in the Frogs’ quest to control the recruiting ground in the Metroplex.

4-star WR Garrett Wilson, Lake Travis (Austin, Texas) – Uncommitted

Garrett Wilson is TCU’s No. 1 target at receiver in the Class of 2019, but the Frogs will have to beat out some of the top programs in the country for his commitment. He has drawn interest from Michigan, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Texas and USC, among others. He caught 98 passes for 1,773 yards and 26 touchdowns as a junior in 2017. He is the No. 78 overall prospect in the country.