Kansas basketball
The last outing between TCU and Kansas was demoralizing for the Jayhawks. They were embarrassed on their home court, suffering one of the worst losses a Bill Self-coached team had ever taken.
There were a lot of firsts for TCU back in their January meeting. It was the first time in program history that they defeated the Jayhawks in Allen Fieldhouse. Additionally, this was the second-biggest margin Bill Self had ever lost by at home. Entering a harsh road environment this late in the season provides KU with a tough job to do.
With the Jayhawks recent stretch of great basketball, it is safe to say that they will come to Fort Worth with vengeance. This is a completely different team from what we saw one month ago to the date. Now that KU is visibly a Big 12 powerhouse again, TCU will have its hands full with a Kansas team that has won six of its last seven. These are three players Kansas will have to contain to extend their win streak to five.
1. Mike Miles Jr., G, 6′ 2″, 195 lbs
Miles could not have returned at a better time for the Horned Frogs. After missing several games due to a hyperextended knee, he scored 15 points in TCU’s win versus Oklahoma State in his first action in three weeks.
Miles is the leading scorer for TCU, but what is more impressive is his penchant for scoring in the paint. As a small guard, he shoots an otherworldly 62.6% from inside the arc, also getting to the line nearly seven times a game. He makes up for his mediocre jump shot by being a pest on the floor.
Miles can score the ball quickly for TCU while getting some of the Jayhawks in foul trouble. If the referees are favoring the Horned Frogs in this one, a player like Miles could become annoying for KU fans to watch.
2. Shahada Wells, G, 6′ 0″, 183 lbs
Wells was relegated to the bench in their last contest after Miles came back from injury. Regardless, he poses a big threat to the Jayhawks. TCU’s spark plug off the bench, Wells posted 17 points in just 21 minutes during their game in January.
His statistics do not tell how important he is to the Horned Frogs. He is very quick on the defensive end and is great at getting into passing lanes and stripping ball handlers. Wells also finishes very well through contact for a player of his stature. Wells’ size could make him a bit of a liability for TCU, but he is still a great role player who is streaky on the offensive end.
3. Emanuel Miller, F, 6′ 7″, 217 lbs
Miller is one of the only respectable outside shooters that TCU has, and he also provides them with a lot of athleticism. His 45.9% three-point percentage makes him a threat to hit the trey, albeit at 1.5 attempts per game.
Even though he is listed as a forward, Miller is a hybrid-type player. He is able to put it on the floor and drive by defenders to get to the rim, and can also be used as a playmaker. His long arms allow him to block shots or provide sufficient on-ball defense versus Jalen Wilson, who likely will be his matchup.
Miller still leaves some things to be desired offensively but is another player who can score at the rim for TCU. The majority of the points will be scored in the paint for the Horned Frogs, so limiting that should be at the top of KU’s game plan for this vital conference game.