Kansas State Wildcats Travel To Fort Worth To Face The Texas Christian Horned Frogs
The #25 Kansas State Wildcats (11-3) will play their first away Big 12 Conference game in Fort Worth against the Texas Christian Horned Frogs (9-4; 0-1) on Tuesday. It’s hard to believe, but this will also be the young Wildcats’ first true road game of the season. Coming off of their biggest win of the season over the #6 Oklahoma State Cowboys 74-71 on Saturday, Kansas State will be considered strong favorites but will still need to play well to beat the Horned Frogs.
Dec 28, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Kansas State Wildcats forward Wesley Iwundu (25) shoots during the second half against the Tulane Green Wave at Barclays Center. Kansas State Wildcats won 72-41. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Here is all the information you need to catch the game:
Who: Texas Christian Horned Frogs (Big 12 Conference)
The Horned Frogs won just 2 conference games in their first season in the Big 12 but have seriously upgraded their team for round number two including getting several key players back that missed much of last season due to injury. In 2012-13, TCU averaged just 55 points per game, good for 341st in the country, and this year they’re averaging 70.2 points through the non-conference slate. Freshman Karviar Shepherd is the highest rated recruit to ever sign at TCU and has instantly made the frontcourt more formidable, but will experience some growing pains in the college game.
Keys to the Game:
1: Score: TCU isn’t giving up a ton of points to its opposition, but they certainly aren’t the best defensive team in the country. Kansas State’s offense is looking more and more potent, especially since the addition of Jevon Thomas, who has shown he can spark the team on both offense and defense with his energy and passing ability. The Wildcats are also looking like a team that you can’t key on any one player against, with different players having big games when others go cold. Against Oklahoma State, freshman Marcus Foster put in 17 points to win Big 12 Newcomer of the Week.
2. Concentration: Many people in the state of Kansas will know what game is coming up this weekend, and the players of Kansas State will most certainly have thought about their upcoming trip to Lawrence on Saturday. That game cannot be on their minds on Tuesday against TCU. The Horned Frogs were able to knock off KU last season at home, so the streaking Wildcats cannot overlook this game and drop a conference game heading into the weekend. Allen Field House is going to be angry and hostile already after losing to San Diego State at home, and Kansas State will need to be at their confident best, not coming off of a disappointing loss.
Also, Kansas State has a young squad that has been given the chance to prepare at home and on neutral courts. Going into a hostile environment is a whole different ballgame, and concentration will need to be high to not let the environment get to them.
3. Avoid Foul Trouble: TCU is pretty balanced offensively, with four players averaging double-digit scoring; two of them guards, and two of them forwards. This is going to force K-State to be strong defensively all over the court. There were several players that got into foul trouble against Oklahoma State, and they’ll need to attempt to stay out of it this time. If K-State has to go to the bench, even though the Wildcats are fairly deep this season, the Horned Frogs can exploit mismatches for points and steal an ugly win. Everyone will need to be smart and play team defense to avoid foul trouble and get in the open court off of turnovers, where K-State’s athletic advantage will shine.
Where: Daniel-Meyer Coliseum
Fort Worth, Texas
When: 7:00 PM CT
Television: Big 12 Network/ESPN3
Radio: K-State Sports Network