TCU to host Appalachian State in Men's Basketball
12/19/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 19, 2001
The TCU Horned Frogs (8-3) return to action Thursday, December 20, when they host Appalachian State (4-4) at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. Tipoff for the non-conference game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The Frogs are coming off of a 74-62 win over crosstown rival SMU, a win that extended their winning streak to four games. The Appalachian State game is the third game in the last six days, and the fifth game in a seven-game homestand. Appalachian State last played on Dec. 13, when they defeated North Greenville.
Radio/TV: The Appalacian State game can be heard on KMKI Disney Radio 620 AM or KTCU (88.7 FM) with Brian Estridge (play-by-play) and former TCU basketball letterman Herb Stephens (analysis) describing the action. The game will not be televised.
Billy Tubbs: One of the nation's winningest coaches, Billy Tubbs is in his 8th season at TCU and his 28th overall as a head coach. His career record stands at 587-285, which places him 12th among the NCAA's winningest active coaches. Tubbs needs only 13 wins to reach the 600 victory plateau. Only 35 coaches have won at least 600 games in their respective careers. While at TCU, Tubbs has recorded a win-loss mark of 148-83. He is assisted by Brian Fish, Rob Flaska and Scott Edgar.
Home Sweet Home: Under Billy Tubbs, Daniel-Meyer Coliseum has developed into one of the more difficult places for opponents to play. Since arriving in Fort Worth, Tubbs' coached teams have posted an impressive 99-20 mark at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum, plus they are 2-0 in games played at the Fort Worth Convention Center. Last season, the Frogs recorded a 15-1 win-loss mark at Daniel-Meyer.
Conference USA Preseason Poll: The league head coaches have picked TCU to finish fifth in the National Division of Conference USA. Preseason top-25 team Memphis is picked to win the National Division, while Cincinnati is the top pick in the American Division. South Florida is picked to finish second in the National Division, and they are followed by UAB, Southern Miss, TCU, Houston and Tulane. Charlotte is picked to finish second in the American Division, followed by Marquette, Louisville, Saint Louis, DePaul and East Carolina.
TCU vs. Appalachian State: This is the first meeting between the two teams.
About Appalachian State: The Mountaineers are led by second-year head coach Houston Fancher. Appalachian State, a member of the Southern Conference, is 4-4 this season. The Frogs are the third Conference USA opponent this season for the Mountaineers. Earlier this season, Appalachian State defeated East Carolina 93-87, while they were defeated by Charlotte, 71-69. A balanced squad, none of the Mountaineers are averaging double-figures in points. However, as a team, the Mountaineers are scoring 81.0 points per game on 47.5 shooting from the field.
