FORT WORTH – The #10 Houston Cougars 17-2 (5-1) return to Ft Worth for the first time in two years to face the TCU Horned Frogs 13-7 (3-4). The last time Houston visited TCU, the Horned Frogs pulled the massive upset over the then-second-ranked Coogs, 68-67, which actually helped turn around UH’s season. Houston comes off a loss this past Saturday in Lubbock, and I expect Houston to come into this game focused.

TCU is a strange team. They have wins over (the team UH played in San Antonio on April 7, 2025), Wisconsin, and Baylor (2x), and narrow losses to Michigan, at Kansas in OT, Arizona, and BYU. Then they’ve also lost to New Orleans, Notre Dame, and Utah, which makes me scratch my head.

The Frogs are led by sophomore big man David Punch, who has taken his game to another level. He is averaging 15ppg, 8rpg, and 2bpg and is my head of the snake. Punch is a threat on both ends of the court and someone the Coogs will need to defend without getting their big men in foul trouble.

TCU is not great at anything, nor are they horrible at anything. The worst thing that could have happened to them is Houston losing at Texas Tech. I believe the Coogs will come in focused and be in attack mode. The Horned Frogs are not a great defensive rebounding team, so I believe the game plan (as usual) will be to crash the offensive glass and do to them what Tech did to UH on Saturday. I love UH in this match-up, but we’ve seen weird things happen when the HypnoToad comes out in Ft. Worth.

TCU Offense Notes

• TCU plays at one of the highest paces in the nation and is ranked #26 nationally (#3 in Big 12) in fast-break points. They want to create chaos on defense to lead to easy transition baskets.
• The Horned Frogs have some scoring firepower coming off the bench with Micah Robinson, Tanner Toolson, and Jace Posey. TCU is ranked third in the Big 12 in bench points per game with 26.5.

Horned Frogs Defensive Notes

• Jamie Dixon-led teams are always known for creating chaos on defense. They want to make you uncomfortable in your half-court set and take chances on getting steals. They are ranked third in the Big 12 in turnovers forced per game.
• The Frogs have elite rim protection with Punch and Xavier Edmonds. Punch is in the top 20 nationally in blocked shots per game.
• TCU may try to sneak in a little match-up, 2-3 zone, and occasionally a 3-2 zone. They have only run zone defense on 14 possessions this season.
• The main full-court press that TCU runs is man-to-man. They typically drop back when the ball is in-bounded to just run some time off the shot clock. They will run a 1-2-2 zone trap at times, but haven’t tried it since the Utah game.

TCU Personnel (*Indicates likely starters)

*#15 – David Punch – 6’7″ – SO – Forward – 15ppg, 8rpg, 2bpg.

• Was at the Baylor game in a mask, but didn’t play due to sickness. I’d expect him back Wednesday evening;
• Head of the Snake. Last year’s scouting report said he would “be good in due time.” That time has come.
• Athletic forward that gets the ball in the paint, looking to score. Really good at driving to the rim with his right hand;
• Good in the pick and roll game (rolling to the right side of the basket);
• Had zero ability to finish around the rim with his left hand last year. Is much improved this season;
• Not a great outside shooting threat, but may shoot if wide-open (5-23: 22%);
• Good offensive rebounder @ 2 per game;

*#24 – Xavier Edmonds – 6’8″ – JR – Forward – (Salt Lake CC) – 12ppg, 5rpg.

• Tall/athletic forward. Emotional leader for them;
• Tough scorer around the basket. Likes to back his man down and shoot the right-handed hook-shot over his left shoulder;
• Pretty solid in the pick and roll. Sometimes he leans too far on the pick – it should be an illegal screen;
• Doesn’t shoot many, but can knock down the three (9-22: 41%);
• Solid offensive rebounder @ 2 per game.

*#2 – Brock Harding – 6’0″ – JR – Guard – (Iowa) – 9ppg, 3rpg, 6apg.

• Smaller/quick/play-making point guard;
• Solid at driving to the basket and finishing with either hand;
• Pretty good mid-range jumper and floater in the paint;
• Not a great outside shooter (17-67: 25%);
• Ranked #19 nationally (#4 in Big 12) in assists per game @ 6.3.

*#1 – Jayden Pierre – 6’1″ – SR – Guard – (Providence) – 11ppg, 2rpg, 3apg.

• Smaller/patient combo-guard. Makes REALLY tough shots off the bounce;
• Leads the team in three-point attempts and makes (38-89:43%);
• Really good at driving to the basket to score. Nice variety of moves in the paint;
• LOVES to drive left and finish with his right hand;
• On film, it looks like he has a wide wing-span for a 6’1″ guard.

*#3 – Liutauras Lelevicius – 6’7″ – JR – Guard – (Oregon State) – 9ppg, 3rpg.

• Tall shooting guard. Great set shooter;
• Outstanding three-point shooter (29-70: 41%);
• Unbelievable free-throw shooter! (26-26: 100%);
• Really good pick and pop shooter;
• Solid at driving to the basket (left) and finishing with either hand at the rim.

#5 – Micah Robinson – 6’6″ – SO – Forward – 10ppg, 5rpg, 2apg.

• Big/athletic forward;
• Not a great outside shooter, but is capable (22-70: 31%). At his best when he can take his time and get his shoulders perfectly squared to the basket;
• Pretty strong finisher at the basket. Draws a good amount of fouls on the drive; (66-86: 77%).

#55 – Tanner Toolson – 6’5″ – JR – Guard – (BYU, Utah Valley) – 7ppg, 3rpg.

• Super sneaky athletic guard;
• Crafty finisher at the rim. Can finish above the rim;
• Capable outside shooter (18-59: 31%). He has a quick release;
• Pretty good floater.

#00 – Jace Posey – 6’5″ – SO – Guard – 6ppg, 3rpg.

• Son of former NBA player James Posey. Houston kid (Strake Jesuit);
• Super athletic forward off the bench. Was on the TCU track and field team for a while;
• Really good defender;
• Loves to drive right and finish high off the glass. Decent fade-away in the paint;
• Horrible outside shot (this always comes back to haunt me) (1-11: 9%).

#7 – Kayden “Bugg” Edwards – 6’2″ – FR – Guard – 4ppg, 1rpg.

• LEFTY;
• Really nice left-handed floater in or right outside of the paint;
• Solid outside shooter (9-22: 41%);
• Hasn’t played a ton, but is getting more minutes recently.

#23 – Vianney Salatchoum – 6’10” – SR – Center – (Panaola CC, FIU) – 2ppg, 2rpg.

• Tall/raw big man; Gives them a tall body off the bench;
• Not bad right around the rim;
• Not a shooting threat.

What I’m Watching…

1. Houston Bounce-Back: I’ll be looking for Houston to bounce back big in this one. They should come in focused on doing what they do best. I suspect they were challenged greatly on making winning plays over the past 3 days.
2. Transition Defense: TCU wants to run on offense. I don’t think this Houston team minds that. I’ll be watching the pace of play for both teams in this one.
3. Rebounding: The Coogs got out-rebounded by 16 in Lubbock Saturday. They need to regroup and get on the boards as a TEAM on Wednesday night.

CATS! live from Fort Worth

Join the GoCoogs gang as we discuss the TCU game and more! We’ll go live right after the game.