TCU focused on finishing ahead of rematch against Cincinnati

After a frustrating loss to No. 23 Texas Tech on Tuesday, the Horned Frogs return to court at 2 p.m. Saturday against Cincinnati.

TCU blew a 10-point lead with less than seven minutes remaining to squander another potential marquee win, but there’s no time to sulk as the Horned Frogs are now focused on evening the season series with the Bearcats, who defeated TCU 81-77 in overtime.

There were some similarities between how the games against Cincy and Texas Tech unfolded down the stretch. TCU (18-8, 7-6 in Big 12) held a 64-60 lead over the Bearcats with about five minutes to play, but the Horned Frogs went nearly five minutes without a point as the Bearcats were able to tie it and send it to overtime.

While the lead wasn’t as large as it was in Lubbock, during that stretch TCU missed eight straight shots and two free throws. One bucket would’ve been enough to put the game away, but instead the Horned Frogs also let that one slip away.

Against Texas Tech, TCU scored just two points in a four-minute stretch as Texas Tech used a 12-2 run to tie the game and would eventually win it. It was the Horned Frogs’ offense that went cold against Cincinnati, but against Texas Tech coach Jamie Dixon said the main culprit was the Horned Frogs’ inconsistent defense.

“We didn’t get it done down the stretch,” Dixon said. “We didn’t guard well enough and that’s what we’ll emphasize. We got baskets but we couldn’t stop them. Our defense didn’t get it done down the stretch. They scored 11 of their last 14 possessions, eight of eight on their last possessions. Obviously there were a lot of free throws, but that was on us for defensive breakdowns.”

Keep in mind despite Tech’s efficiency down the stretch the Red Raiders still show below 40 percent. Just like TCU needed just one bucket to put Cincinnati (16-10, 5-8) away, the Horned Frogs needed to string together just a stop or two to put the Red Raiders away.

While the Horned Frogs have shown they can overcome big deficits, closing out games where they have the big leads is still something the team wants to work on.

“We’ve just to got finish the game a little bit better,” center Essam Mostafa said. “We had a chance to win, we were up four, but we missed a couple of free throws in the end and I feel like we just need to finish better than we did last year.”

Mostafa could be a crucial piece in Saturday’s game as the Horned Frogs could be without Ernest Udeh again. Dixon said the starting center won’t require surgery and is day-to-day as he manages the pain.

That’s why it was so encouraging for Dixon and the Horned Frogs to see Mostafa breakout for 10 points and eight rebounds against Texas Tech.

“He’s been working so hard, he wants to play and he did what we asked him to do defensively,” Dixon said. “He played good in the Kansas State game, the Tech game he got some scoring. He’s done a better job playing defense away from the ball in the last couple of weeks. It’s good to see, I’m happy for him and his improvement.”

For Mostafa, it was simply about staying ready when his number was called on.

“Knowing Ernest was hurt it was a big hit for us, he’s our starting five,” Mostafa said. “At the same time I was just staying ready, steady working and practicing hard everyday. So it’s like I’m ready for this. Ernest is out, me and (Xavier) stepped up, JaKobe (Coles) played the five some. We’re ready for it, like coach says we have 10 guys that can play.”

The depth of the frontcourt will be more challenged as the Bearcats have a 7-footer in Aziz Bandaogo who can impact the games on both ends, but fellow 7-footer Victor Lakhin has missed the last two games and could be out on Saturday.

The real goal for TCU is to slow down Bearcats wings John Newman and Day Day Thomas as the dynamic duo combined for 41 points and made 17 of their 29 field goal attempts. A similar performance could be hard to overcome for TCU.

The stakes will be higher for the Bearcats as Cincinnati is desperately trying to play itself on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble in the midst of losing three of its last four games.

Facing a desperate team in need of momentum, if the Horned Frogs should be prepared to receive Cincinnati’s best punch. If TCU can weather the storm and close then there’s a good shot the Horned Frogs can even the season series.