TCU News: record-setting Watson, Okonkwo signs pro contract

Baseball:

TCU’s road back to College World Series won’t be easy in Arkansas | The Star-Telegram

... but it won’t be easy by any stretch.

TCU’s road back to the College World Series for a sixth time won’t be easy. The host Razorbacks (41-17) are the No. 5 national seed. They open against No. 4 seed Central Connecticut (30-21) at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark. at 1 p.m. Friday. The No. 3 seed Frogs open against No. 2 Cal (32-18) at 6 p.m. Friday.

If the Frogs escape Arkansas, they’re likely to face No. 12 national seed Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss.

TCU’s Josh Watson hopes to blow past school record with lengthy postseason | The Star-Telegram

Watson has been a stellar player for the Horned Frogs, and in back to back seasons marred by injuries - a steady hand for TCU.

“It’s something that I think is really awesome and something I’ll cherish forever,” said Watson, who his batting .335 and leads TCU with 42 RBIs and 20 doubles and tied with Johnny Rizer for the team lead with 10 home runs. Rizer and Austin Henry have also started all 58 games this season.

“To pass someone like Keaton Jones is amazing,” Watson said. “He played on some really good teams. It’s crazy and it’s awesome.”

For Watson, who was named the Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award Player of the Week after batting .500 with 10 RBIs in the Big 12 tournament, the chance to keep putting on the Frogs’ jersey means more than a record.

Football:

TCU Football: 2019 Horned Frogs Season Preview and Prediction | Athlon Sports

Double-digit wins reasonable? I will take it.

TCU fielded the Big 12’s top-ranked unit in total defense and pass defense and the second-best scoring defense a season ago. Don’t expect much to change. Patterson has another outstanding group of athletes, particularly at cornerback. Offensively, quarterback is the variable. Big 12-level skill is all over the field, highlighted by the ultra-competitive Reagor, and the offensive line is experienced. With health and turnover luck, the Frogs can reasonably picture double-digit wins. Throw in high-level quarterback play, and they can set their sights higher.

Basketball:

TCU’s Amy Okonkwo signs pro contract to play overseas | The Star-Telegram

This is awesome for one of the most talented - and likable - players to come through the program.

Amy Okonkwo’s playing days aren’t over yet.

The TCU product has signed a contract with Club Deportivo Zamarat in Zamora, Spain, the university announced on Thursday. The team competes in the Liga Femenina de Baloncesto, the top-tier women’s league in Spain.

Okonkwo is coming off a senior season in which she earned All-Big 12 second-team honors.