Kansas State Wildcats vs. TCU Horned Frogs: Prediction, time, TV info and lineups
The details
When/where: 8 p.m. Tuesday at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas
TV/radio: ESPNU; KKGQ (92.3 FM) in Wichita, KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City
Projected lineups
P | No. | TCU | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
F | 21 | Kevin Samuel | 6-11 | So. | 11.7 |
G | 22 | R.J. Nembhard | 6-5 | So. | 13.6 |
G | 5 | Jaire Grayer | 6-5 | Sr. | 8.1 |
G | 2 | Edric Dennis | 6-3 | Sr. | 8.5 |
G | 1 | Desmond Bane | 6-3 | Sr. | 17.0 |
P | No. | Kansas State | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
F | 23 | Montavious Murphy | 6-9 | Fr. | 3.8 |
F | 14 | Makol Mawien | 6-9 | Sr. | 7.8 |
G | 20 | Xavier Sneed | 6-5 | Sr. | 15.0 |
G | 00 | Mike McGuirl | 6-2 | Jr. | 6.8 |
G | 2 | Cartier Diarra | 6-4 | Jr. | 12.5 |
About TCU (10-3, 1-0 Big 12): The Horned Frogs are coming off a dramatic overtime victory over Iowa State that got them off to a strong start in Big 12 play. Sophomore guard R.J. Nembhard nailed six three-pointers on his way to a game-high 31 points for TCU. This team is playing a bit differently this season under Jaime Dixon without seasoned point guard Alex Robinson. The Frogs have a little more freedom on offense and rely on Kevin Samuel quite a bit inside. But Desmond Bane remains the team’s best overall scoring threat.
About Kansas State (7-6, 0-1 Big 12): The Wildcats began Big 12 play with a disappointing 66-61 loss at Oklahoma. K-State led throughout the first half and seemed in control for much of the second half until the Sooners ended the game on a 12-0 run. Bruce Weber’s team will try to be better closers at home against the Horned Frogs. Two K-State players seem to be finding a groove. Xavier Sneed has shot the ball well in each of his past two games, upping his scoring average to 15. Freshman guard DaJuan Gordon is also beginning to contribute more off the bench.
Prediction: This is a game the Wildcats can win — or at least put themselves in position to win — with defense.
TCU is at its best when it plays at a quick tempo and is able to knock down open shots in transition. The Horned Frogs are making 37.8% of their shots from three-point range and 50% from two-point range, making them one of the most efficient scoring teams in the Big 12.
But when opposing teams have slowed things down and made the Frogs earn every bucket in half-court sets, they have been vulnerable. Clemson beat them 62-60 and Xavier defeated them 67-59.
If the Wildcats can play this game on their terms and hold the Frogs to below 70 points, they should have a good chance at landing their first conference victory of the season. Seeing as how K-State hasn’t allowed an opponent to score more than 67 points in a month, this game sets up well for the Wildcats, despite their tendency to falter late in close games.
K-State 65, TCU 63.