It’s been nearly 62 years since TCU and Michigan met in men’s basketball. But Friday, the two finally will play again, meeting in Ann Arbor, Mich., with each looking for a key non-conference win.
Michigan won that only other matchup, winning 82-60 on Dec. 13, 1962. Friday’s game will be the first of a home-and-home series that will see Michigan visit Fort Worth, Texas, in 2025.
For TCU, it will be its first game against an opponent from a power conference after recording three straight wins to start the season over Florida A&M (105-59), Florida Gulf Coast (67-51) and Texas State (76-71).
“I know they are big, I know they are skilled,” TCU coach Jamie Dixon said of Michigan. “I’m excited about it. Whoever we play, I’m going to be excited. I want to get better, and that’s what I told our guys.”
The glaring concern for TCU through the first three games has been free-throw shooting. The Horned Frogs have made just 35 of 62 shots (56.5 percent) from the line.
On the other side, Michigan comes in at 1-1 following a 72-70 loss to Wake Forest on Sunday on a neutral court in Greensboro, N.C.
It’s a new era for the Wolverines, who hired Dusty May as head coach from Florida Atlantic and have seen a big roster turnover.
Only three players (Will Tschetter, Nimari Burnett, Jace Howard) are back from last year, with six transfers and four freshmen comprising the rest of the roster.
Given that, it might take some time this season for the Wolverines to jell. Auburn transfer Tre Donaldson (13.0 points per game) and Ohio State transfer Roddy Gayle (12.0) lead the Wolverines in scoring through the first two games.
“We don’t know our team well enough, our team doesn’t know us well enough,” May said. “When I say well enough, to compete for a championship level right now. It’s November, so our job as coaches is to figure out solutions to our problems.”
–Field Level Media
Playing the Thunder typically isn’t a way for struggling shooters to regain their rhythm, but Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns will try to defy that Friday when they visit…
The Denver Nuggets are rolling. Now, they are also well rested. The Nuggets have had four days off since they won their fifth straight game — a 122-120 home victory…
It is rare when a team can feature two defensive-minded wings capable of dismantling an opponent’s game plan. That the Houston Rockets have two such players coming off their bench…
Slumping Pelicans next up for streaking Nuggets
Rockets’ reserves leading the way entering rematch vs. Clippers
Superstars set to collide when Lakers battle Spurs
Red-hot Nick Martinelli guides Northwestern against Eastern Illinois
Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM
