Kansas basketball: TCU preview, how to watch
By Stan Unruh
The Kansas basketball team will play another their third straight Texas team on Saturday. The Jayhawks face a difficult test against a good TCU team.
The Kansas basketball formula for success usually includes winning 9 conference games at Allen Fieldhouse. That home court advantage has helped Hall of Fame coach Bill Self win 13 straight Big 12 titles. With Tuesday’s loss to Texas Tech, the Jayhawks need to win more on the road.
The Jayhawks face a TCU team that has also lost one Big 12 contest. As a matter of fact the only game the #16 ranked Frogs have lost is to Oklahoma. The Sooners edged TCU by one point last Saturday in Fort Worth. I questioned just how good they were until I saw them put up 89 points against OU.
Considering common opponents, TCU beat Texas Southern 91-71. The Jayhawks rolled big over the Tigers 114-71. Both teams also played Omaha. The Frogs beat the Mavericks by 33 including 19 points in 20 minutes from 6-foot-11 Center Vlad Brodziansky. The Jayhawks won by 45 led by 27 points from Senior Svi Mykhailiuk.
I’m not sure what those comparisons indicate. The Jayhawks know they need to win in Fort Worth. On the other hand, the pressure to make up for the loss to Tech will weigh heavy on them. The team is not as confident as the KU team that beat Texas Southern and Omaha. Maybe that Jayhawk team will show up in Fort Worth.
Here is where to watch the Jayhawks play the Frogs
Date: January 6
Time: 8:15 p.m. CST
Location: Fort Worth
Venue: Schollmaier Arena
Television: ESPN2
Streaming: WatchESPN
Listen: Jayhawk Radio Network
Next: A Primal Problem Plagues Kansas Basketball
Keys to Victory
The Jayhawks hit 17 threes and only shot 15 free throws on their trip to Austin. They only made 6 shots from beyond the arc on Tuesday but made 17 free throws. They drove the basketball and earned trips to the charity stripe. I think they need to do some of this against the Frogs. The Jayhawks must get the ball inside to Udokah Azubuike, drive more to the basket and play tough defense to bring home a victory.