TCU and Texas State will face off for the first time in 15 years on Tuesday in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Horned Frogs and Bobcats had a triple-overtime thriller in their last meeting on November 24, 2009, with TCU leading 108–99.
TCU (2-0) has significantly improved its program since then, as it has made the NCAA Tournament in each of the last three seasons under Jamie Dixon. TCU is hoping to make it its fourth in a row with wins already over Florida A&M and Florida Gulf Coast.
The Horned Frogs have also been consistent winners early in the season, posting a 53–6 record in the month of November since the 2014–15 campaign. TCU’s offense shined in a season-opening win over Florida A&M (105–59), while the defense got plenty of credit in a 67–51 win over Florida Gulf Coast.
“We found a way to do it defensively, rebounding-wise, got all our defensive targets, our standards, so that’s a good sign,” Dixon said after the win over Florida Gulf Coast. “Offensively, we weren’t very good early and it wasn’t like missing shots. It’s just that our decision-making wasn’t good.”
Second-year guard Waseen Ellet has come off the bench to lead the Horned Frogs in scoring, averaging 17.0 points per contest in each of the first two games.
For Texas State (2-0), this will be its first road game of the season. The Bobcats went 5-11 on the road last year.
Sophomore guard Caden Gumbs has led the team in scoring through the first two games, scoring 15 points against Eastern Michigan and 27 points against McMurry. Guard Drew Drinnon is another player to watch and he’s an outside threat, knocking down five 3-pointers in the last game against McMurry.
As a team, Texas State improved its field-goal percentage from 41.7 against Eastern Michigan to 56.7 against McMurry.
When asked about the improvement on offense, Bobcats coach Terrence Johnson said, “It’s a good pass, which usually leads to a good shot. We continue to play the game the way it’s supposed to be played – Inside-out, dribble penetration, throw the ball to open shooters and you’ve got to make those shots.”
–Field Level Media
