TCU hoping to recapture last year’s magic in trip to No. 2 Kansas
The last time TCU played at Kansas, the Horned Frogs secured a program-defining win as TCU hammered the Jayhawks 83-60 in the second worst home loss of the coach Bill Self era.
That win cemented last year’s Horned Frogs team as a legit NCAA Tournament team and Big 12 contender. It’s also one of the top victories during coach Jamie Dixon’s storied career.
“Kansas is unique, playing there (is special) there’s no question,” Dixon said Thursday. “To win there (is hard), their numbers show it. I liked how we played, we looked back at it (this week), but our patience offensively was why we scored a high number.”
Dixon went on to add how impressed he was with how his team controlled the tempo and how efficient the offense was despite the crowd and intense pressure from the Jayhawks.
TCU big man Ernest Udeh was on the opposing sideline for the blowout in Lawrence and the Kansas transfer acknowledged how surprised the Jayhawks were after being dismantled.
“It’s something that’s still discussed today,” Udeh said. “Going back to how Allen (Fieldhouse) is, seeing how the crowd reacted as the game got closer to an end. That was something I never thought I would see being there. It’s still something I think about today.”
Micah Peavy didn’t have a chance to play in that contest a year ago, but he also remembers fondly how the Horned Frogs were able to come out on top.
“I think our leaders stepped up,” Peavy said. “We had (Shahada Wells) and he stepped up too. Our defense, we did a really good job on Jalen Wilson and we got into transition to score. I think that’s something we can lock in on.”
Heading into Saturday’s 1 p.m. game (CBS), both teams are very different from the last meeting as there’s no Mike Miles Jr. or Damion Baugh for TCU and no Wilson for the second-ranked Jayhawks (12-1).
The Horned Frogs (11-2) are still building chemistry with three new guards in Trey Tennyson, Jameer Nelson Jr. and Avery Anderson plus a new center in Udeh while Kansas added the top transfer available in Hunter Dickinson from Michigan.
Dickinson’s presence will be a major factor Saturday and slowing him down will be among the top priorities.
“We’ve played against some really good big guys this year, but he’s different,” Dixon said. “He’s more inside-out and he’s their sole (big) guy. He’s going to get the ball, there’s no one better at getting the ball inside than Kansas. They’ve been doing it for years.”
The Horned Frogs will hope to counter the All-American with a committee approach led by Udeh. Coming off his best performance of the year with 13 points, 18 rebounds and three blocks in a win over Texas A&M-Commerce, Udeh acknowledged that Saturday will be meaningful as he faces his former team.
“Of course, I can’t lie. Everybody knows the reputation of Allen,” Udeh said. “To be a part of that and to now go against that it’s something I’m very excited about and have been looking forward to. It’s going to mean a lot more to me after we get the win.”
In order for that to happen, the Horned Frogs must slow down Dickinson, who has only been held to single digits once this season.
“Hunter being on that squad allows for a lot of guys on that squad to do different things,” Udeh said. “Like K.J. Adams in that short roll position. Him being in the lineup just allows guys to venture off and do many other things. It’s going be something we’re prepared for.”
One player that has blossomed off all the attention Dickinson attracts is Big 12 leading scorer Kevin McCullar Jr. McCullar is averaging 20.4 points per game on nearly 50 percent shooting from the field.
He’s this year’s version of Jalen Wilson and the top perimeter threat for the Jayhawks.
“He’s probably been on our scouting report 13 times in his career,” Dixon said with a grin. “He’s in his sixth year of college. Welcome to 2024. He’s made the jump that Wilson made and he’s the guy getting the shots. He’s driving, he’s going to try and get fouled. He’s going to put his head down and try to get to the basket.”
TCU will counter with Peavy, who has shown time and time again that he’s one of the top perimeter defenders in college basketball.
Peavy, who is averaging a career-high 11.4 points and. 3.4 assists, says his approach won’t change going up against McCullar.
“I’m just going to guard how I guard everybody,” Peavy said. “I think I’m the best defender in the country, so I’m just going to guard how I guard and we’ll see how it goes.”
There was quite confidence around the team as TCU spoke about Kansas before practice. It’s not because the Horned Frogs are overlooking the Jayhawks by any means, it’s more so an eagerness to prove themselves in the best conference in America.
What better way to send a statement than picking up another win in Lawrence?
“It’s business time,” Udeh said.
