TCU News: Stayin’ Alive

Basketball:

TCU holds off Oklahoma State 73-70 in Big 12 tourney | The Star-Telegram

This isn’t the first time the Cowboys made a big late run to almost stun the Horned Frogs.

“We’ve been here before, as far as keeping our composure,” Bane said. “We’ve got a lot of guys that have played a lot of those games . I was open and just shot it.”

Thomas Dziagwa added 12 points for the Cowboys. Cameron McGriff and Isaac Likekele chipped in with 10.

The Horned Frogs looked like a team playing for their NCAA Tournament lives at the start as they jumped out to a 27-11 lead. Noi hit two 3-pointers and Samuel had three dunks in the first 10 minutes.

”We made a really good comeback,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Boynton said. “So I’m proud of our guys for not giving in because they could’ve.”

Did TCU’s thrilling win over Oklahoma State secure their spot in the NCAA tournament? | Sports Day

Are the Frogs tournament worthy? They certainly think so - and for good reason.

TCU coach Jamie Dixon said the victory left the Horned Frogs (20-12) in “a good spot” for the NCAA Tournament.

“Twenty wins in the Big 12, toughest conference in the country, and we played a tough non-conference [schedule], so I would think so,” Dixon said.

TCU is trying to reach the NCAA Tournament in consecutive years for the first time since 1952 and ’53.

Oklahoma State (12-20) took its first lead of the game on two Waters’ free throws with 26 seconds remaining.

Desmond Bane restored TCU’s lead, sinking a 3-pointer from the corner with 16 seconds remaining.

“We’ve been here before, as far as keeping our composure,” said Bane, who finished with 15 points after scoring 34 at Texas on Saturday. “We’ve got a lot of guys that have played a lot of those games.”

Football:

HFB Mailbag: 3/11 Plenty to discuss on TCU spring ball | 247 Sports

We have not talked much about linebackers, but the Frogs should be in good shape at one of the most crucial positions, assuming everyone develops as expected.

Any word on how Montrel Wilson, Jacoby Simpson, or Holmes are looking at linebacker?

Wilson seems to be doing fine at the moment but as Coach Patterson said last week, they’re not going to push him too hard; they know what he can do. Patterson said they will limit his reps this spring which I think is a very good thing.

As for the others, Patterson said the second group at linebacker has a “long way to go”. The depth at linebacker is very concerning at the moment, not only in numbers but overall experience. As I mentioned in my linebacker depth story last week, the Frogs have to replace four contributors at the position that totaled 220 tackles last season between them. That’s not going to be an easy task at all.

The group is very athletic and Patterson has praised Holmes’ athleticism, but this is a group that has a long, long way to go at the moment.

Meet Ben Banogu, TCU’s versatile pass-rushing prospect | Draft Wire

I love how the former Frogs continuously stump for each other.

JM: You’ve had a lot of great teammates throughout your time at TCU, but if you were headed to battle tomorrow and could only bring one with you, who would you bring and why?

BB: Ty Summers. He’s a linebacker at TCU, as well. I’ve seen him make so many sacrifices to get where he is today. He was a linebacker and he played some defensive line for us when we needed him too. That’s the type of person he is, the type of character that he has. I just love everything about him.

JM: What’s the biggest lesson any coach at TCU ever taught you?

BB: Coach [Gary] Patterson is a great coach and an even better man. He taught me how to separate what’s going on in your personal life. What you do on the field doesn’t define you as a man. You’re a different person away from football. I feel like those were important lessons that I’ll always keep with me.