Still winless in conference play and losers in their past 10 games, the TCU men’s basketball team faces rival Baylor on Wednesday night.
The Frogs (9-13, 0-10 Big 12) are coming off an 84-69 loss to No. 11 Iowa State. They allowed Cyclones forward Melvin Ejim to score a league-record 48 points on 20-of-24 shooting on Saturday.
“Whether it was zone or man [defense], we just didn’t have any answer,” TCU head coach Trent Johnson said during his Monday Big 12 teleconference.
TCU’s next opponent, Baylor, (14-9, 2-8 Big 12) have lost seven of their last eight games and have the second-worst conference record in the Big 12, ahead of only TCU. The Bears are last in the Big 12 in steals per game.
“Defensively, we have to get better,” Baylor head coach Scott Drew said during Monday’s league teleconference.
Baylor blew out the Frogs 88-62 in TCU’s conference opener earlier this season. In the loss, the Frogs were outrebounded 54-25.
“They just dominated the glass,” Johnson said.
TCU has struggled on the boards all year, statistically ranking worst at rebounds in the Big 12, averaging 31.5 per game. Injuries, which have plagued the Frogs all year, are contributing to the team’s struggles.
“Obviously, our lack of depth and our lack of strength and skill level hurts us at certain times versus certain people,” Johnson said. “I thought we competed really well. I thought we played well offensively against Iowa State.”
Once Wednesday’s contest ends, the Frogs will only have three games left in Daniel-Meyer Coliseum before a multi-million renovation project begins.
Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CST from Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.