TCU News: Yesterday was a huge day for basketball and football

Basketball:

Three takeaways from TCU’s wild 70-68 win vs. Oklahoma State: Miller’s heroics save Frogs at the buzzer, Robinson becomes all-time assist leader | Sports Day

One of the absolute craziest games I have ever seen.

Miller comes in clutch at the buzzer, a bounce-back for Bane

As one of TCU basketball’s veterans, J.D. Miller’s experience paid off in the clutch Wednesday evening as the senior came through with the game-winning shot at in the final second of regulation, transforming what could have been a excruciating collapse on home court for TCU -- after leading by 11 at the half and as much as 13 earlier in the night-- to one of the most memorable home wins in recent memory. It was the second consecutive game in which Miller scored in double-figures, posting 17 at Baylor on Saturday.

TCU trio at it again as Frogs overcome largest comeback of season to beat Tech | The Star-Telegram

What a huge win for a program on the cusp of the bubble.

Suffering a 15-point deficit in the second half, TCU (17-5, 7-4 Big 12) locked up Texas Tech (10-12, 1-10 Big 12) defensively in the final quarter, holding the Lady Raiders to 22 percent shooting from the floor and 0 of 9 from beyond the arc.

“It shows our toughness, our grit,” Pebley said. “Tech came out with a really good game plan, they were tough and aggressive – but our team just stayed with it.”

TCU senior forward Amy Okonkwo continued her offensive rhythm in scoring 14 points, for her seventh-consecutive game with double digit scoring. Lauren Heard added 9 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Despite a poor shooting night, Texas Tech’s leading scorer freshman guard Chrislyn Carr had 17 points. Brittany Brewer chipped in 15 of her own and grabbed 11 rebounds.

The Frogs didn’t get off to a hot start but stayed the course, shooting just under 40 percent as a team and forced 18 turnovers.

“We had to change our offensive identity to finish this game,” Pebley said.

Football:

Speed, portal parents and out of state respect: TCU’s Gary Patterson on his 2019 class | The Star-Telegram

It’s crazy how much different Signing Day feels now that the majority of recruits make it officially in December. Yesterday was still HUGE for TCU Football, though, as they found a lot of their type of guys.

“I have a new phrase -- portal parents -- staying away from,” Patterson said. “You can already tell if it’s not going the way they need to that they’re going to be changing. It’s kind of like when I interview coaches, I interview their wife. When kids come in, I want to make sure I bring their parents with them.

“[Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson] had a quote, ‘You’ve got to love the process more than the ending.’ The best way for you to win championships is for guys to stay within your program that you build and grow up and do things.”

TCU saw two players -- quarterback Shawn Robinson and running back Kenedy Snell -- enter the portal last season.

Patterson said his program won’t have a full 85 scholarship roster until next December because of it. That’s why there’s even more of an emphasis on finding the right kind of prospects in recruiting these days.