TCU Basketball heads to Kansas City for Big 12 tournament: Coach Dixon prepares for challenge

As the Big 12 Conference tournament kicks off on Wednesday, TCU has earned the 6 seed in what was a closely contested season. The Horned Frogs have drawn 3 seed Kansas State Wildcats in the quarterfinals on Thursday. Kansas State defeated TCU on February 7th in Manhattan, KS 82 to 61, however TCU initially defeated the Wildcats 82 to 68 on January 14, 2023 that makes the season series even 1-1.

TCU head coach, Jamie Dixon, understands the challenge it will be on Thursday and advance in the Big 12 tournament. “We understand the level of competitiveness that the Big 12 has shown all year. It’s important to compete and work on areas that need to improve, such as rebounding and interior defense. Ultimately, we are looking for our guys to compete. The quality of opponents that we will see in the Big 12 tournament will further prepare us for opponents in the NCAA since, we feel, that we have competed against the best. Kansas and Baylor have been the past two national champions, and we competed with both of those programs the past two years, so we feel it has helped us tremendously to prepare for high basketball IQ players and efficient execution.” The preparation for the speed, the quality of opponents, and what TCU has seen this year has helped developed the number 22 ranked Horned Frogs to 6 home wins in Ft. Worth and 3 road victories including a victory in Lawrence, KS against the conference champion Kansas Jayhawks.

Kansas State Wildcats present a challenge at the forward position with senior Keyontae Johnson, Big 12 newcomer of the year/ All-Big12 First team and head coach, Jerome Tang, Big 12 Coach of the year. It is notable that Keyontae Johnson is a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award finalist. TCU will counter with extremely great guard play with two of the Horned Frogs selected to All-Big12 Second Team: Damion Baugh, and Mike Miles Jr. Coach Dixon will utilize his rotation to keep players fresh all game, but most importantly his main focus and emphasis is to encourage team rebounding and disciplined box outs for TCU to survive and advance in a tournament that is up for grabs.