TCU falls in close contest to unranked UCF 80-77. Despite fouling out in the final seconds of the game, Jameer Nelson Jr. led TCU’s offense with 15 points, shooting four of five from 3-point range and five of seven from the field. His four made three’s was a career and season high for Nelson.
UCF guard Darius Johnson is the reason the contest was close and the Frogs were unable to stop his momentum. Johnson shot six of nine from the field and four of five from behind the arc. He led both teams in scoring with 33. His range was incredible as shots from near half-court were falling.
The Frogs have been successful on offense against defenses with players that have more height but the simplicity of TCU’s offensive scheme is a double-edged sword. Four men out, one down low, pass around the perimeter; it’s relatively the same movement and hasn’t changed since opening day of basketball.
UCF’s starting forward, Omar Payne, led the game with two blocks. Payne, standing at 6-foot-10, is making it nearly impossible for TCU to drive in the paint and forcing the Frogs to rely on strong perimeter shooting.
TCU’s offense started slow, but the Frogs regained the lead following a fiery 7-0 run: a shot from the field by Emanuel Miller (26-28), a 3-pointer and slam dunk from Chuck O’Bannon Jr. put the Frogs up 31-30, and layup from JaKobe Coles put the Frogs up 33-30.
O’Bannon was the face of TCU’s offense in the first half, leading with nine points (3-3 FG, 2-2 3pt). His offensive fire carried over into the second half and traveled to Coles, leading the Frogs in points with 12.
Coles and O’Bannon played from the bench and claimed 25 of TCU’s 32 bench points.
Micah Peavy’s offensive talent came alive in the second 20 minutes of basketball. In the first half, Peavy went one of six from the field and zero of two from 3-point range. Now, he has opened the half going two of two from the field with an and-one bucket from a fast break followed by a slam dunk, extending TCU’s lead 42-38.
No one inside the Schollmaier Arena seems to care about foul trouble, as TCU stands at 8 and UCF at 10. Being on bonus can account for some extra points from fouls, but neither team’s free throws are falling. The Frogs are shooting 60% and the Knights at 57.1% from the line.
Players from TCU and UCF entered the final stretch in foul trouble. TCU’s Nelson and Miller have four and three, respectively, and UCF’s Johnson and Jaylin Sellers have four and four, respectively.
The Frogs go another Big 12 season without a winning record, finishing conference play 9-9.
Up next for the Frogs is the Big 12 tournament starting on March 12. TCU will play on Wednesday, March 13 against the Oklahoma Sooners. Tip off is set for 2 p.m. and available for streaming on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
