Game Day Essentials: Game #36 at TCU

TCU Info

Head Coach: Jaime Dixon
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Conference: Big East
Nickname: Horned Frogs

Mascot: "Superfrog"
Last time out: Beat Sam Houston State
Typical Rotation Depth: 7
Line: TCU by 4.5

Tempo: Uptempo

Style: High assist/pound the paint 

Depth: TCU is also limited, playing just 7 players

Player to watch: Desmond Bane

The 6'5" junior SG is one of the few consistent 3pt threats on this TCU team shooting 42.1% on the year and 45.7% during conference play.  Bane put up a career high 34 on the road in Texas a few weeks ago

KenPom Helps to break down the lineup

The starting lineup for Wisconsin contains two guys who haven't made a 3 this year. 

• PG Robinson is one of the top assist men in this conference but has struggled with his shot
• Australian Noi is a threat to shoot at all times and leads the team in 3pt attempts despite missing 6 games
• JD Miller is like their Roby minus the shot blocking ability; draws the most fouls on this team that doesn't draw a lot
• Freshman Center Samuel is an efficient scorer and TCU has been making more of an effort to feed him. His numbers indicate that if you can get a double team there he's not going to burn you passing and and he'll let you knock the ball away. TCU's lone rim protector
• 5'11" backup pg Kendric Davis is a defensive pest but is turnover prone and a poor shooter
• 6'4" freshman SG RJ Nembhard is basically depth and is a poor shooter

The Skinny:

TCU started the season as a deep team expected to make the tourney but lost one of their best players in PG Jaylen Fisher. Fisher has decided to transfer as well as 3 other Horned Frogs so after transfers and injuries TCU finds themselves with just 7 players in the NIT.  This very much looks like a Jaime Dixon offense as it's predicated on passing the ball trying to find good looks and crashing the offensive boards in search of easy buckets. The poor rebounding Huskers will need to choose between protecting the defensive glass or leaking out on breaks because they can't do both. Turnovers will be a key for Nebraska's success as TCU is sloppy with the ball and Nebraska excels at turning mistakes into points. How this game is called will be critical as both teams can't afford much foul trouble. Both teams are pretty good at defending without fouling so it very well might not be an issue, especially since the refs will be aware both teams are short handed.

This team isn't the best matchup for Nebraska but you could say the same thing the other way. Neither team has put anyone away in the last month so don't expect that tonight. Whichever team has the will to control the pace should be the winner.  Who is that going to be?

Prediction: TCU 78 - Nebraska 73