TCU and Baylor are programs that consistently have March Madness aspirations, and both are in need of getting on a hot streak to accomplish those goals as they square off Saturday afternoon in Waco, Texas.
The Horned Frogs (12-7, 2-4 Big 12) snapped a four-game skid with a 68-65 victory over Oklahoma State on Tuesday. They rallied in the final minutes for the victory, going on a 10-0 run to pull out the victory.
“We lost four games in a row, and it had to make us better,” TCU coach Jamie Dixon said. “Tonight, it did make us better down the stretch.”
TCU will look to build off that against Baylor, a team it defeated 69-63 on Jan. 3 to open league play in Fort Worth. The Frogs have won three straight in Waco — all by three or fewer points — but they have not completed a regular-season sweep of their rival since 2018.
In the first meeting, all eyes were on Baylor’s James Nnaji, who was making his college debut after his controversial signing with the Bears. Nnaji finished with five points in 16 minutes. Cameron Carr, who leads the team with 20.4 points per game, had a team-high 17 points.
Earlier this week, coach Scott Drew reflected on the first meeting.
“There were things that stood out that I think we’ve done a better job competing since then. No knock on TCU. They played really well,” Drew said. “Our offense, we play with more purpose, more pace than we did at that opening game. I think we know what the physicality is. It doesn’t always guarantee the success part of it, but at least we know what Big 12 play is about, and now it’s up to us.”
Baylor (11-7, 1-5) has lost five of its last six, including the past two games against Kansas and No. 12 Texas Tech. The Red Raiders rolled to a 92-73 victory over the Bears on Tuesday, making a program record-tying 17 3-pointers.
–Field Level Media
