TCU Looks to Continue Fast Start Saturday vs. Nebraska
12/9/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 9, 2011
GAME #10 - NEBRASKA (5-3) vs. TCU (7-2)
TCU GAME NOTES // NU GAME NOTES 
// LIVE AUDIO
// 
GAME DAY INFORMATION
Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 // 7 p.m. // Fort Worth, Texas // Daniel-Meyer Coliseum (7,201)
Series Record: Nebraska leads, 6-2 // Last Meeting: Dec. 11, 2010 in Lincoln (L, 56-70)
TCU Head Coach: Jim Christian (Rhode Island, `88)
Record at TCU: 45-60 (.429) in 4th season // Overall: 183-118 (.608) in 10th season
NU Head Coach: Doc Sadler (Arkansas, `82)
Record at NU: 94-74 (.560) in 6th season // Overall: 262-131 (.667) in 13th season
Television: The Mtn. (DirecTV ch. 616) // Talent: Dan Gutowsky (pxp), Blaine Fowler (analyst)
Radio: 1460 AM (KCLE), 88.7 FM (KTCU) // Talent: Brian Estridge (pxp), John Denton (analyst)
Internet: GoFrogs.com (radio, GameTracker)
FORT WORTH--TCU finishes off a two-game homestand Saturday when it plays host to Big Ten opponent Nebraska at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. Tip-off for the game, which will be televised by The MountainWest Sports Network (The Mtn.), is slated for 7 p.m.
The Frogs look to continue their recent hot streak that has seen the team jump out to a 7-2 start, the program's best since opening up at 8-2 in 2000-01. The current four-game winning streak is the team's longest since 2008-09, while it will also attempt to move to 5-0 at home for the first time since 2004-05.
TCU and Nebraska will meet for the fourth consecutive year and the first time in Fort Worth since 2008-09. The Huskers won each of the previous three recent matchups to run their advantage to 6-2 in the all-time series. NU, which moved from the Big 12 Conference after last season, will be the first Big Ten foe to visit the DMC since Purdue on Dec. 30, 1996.
Saturday's matchup against the Huskers will mark TCU's fourth televised game of the season and its first on The Mtn. Dan Gutowsky (play-by-play) and Blaine Fowler (analyst) will serve as the broadcast team.
In addition to the television broadcast, fans also can follow the game live on the radio throughout the Metroplex on both 1460 AM KCLE and 88.7 FM KTCU with Brian Estridge (play-by-play) and John Denton (analyst) serving as the play-by-play team. Links to both the live radio Internet feed and live stats will be available via TCU's official athletics website, GoFrogs.com.
FROG QUICK NOTES
* Nebraska will be only the third Big Ten opponent for TCU since 1996-97 (at Indiana in 2008-09; vs. Minnesota in 2000) and the first to visit the DMC since Purdue on Dec. 30, 1996.
* TCU is 7-2 for only the second time since 2000-01, when the squad opened up at 8-2.
* TCU is looking to start 5-0 at home for the first time since 2004-05 (9-0).
* Six of TCU's seven wins have been by six points or fewer, including each of its wins vs. Division I opponents.
* TCU's RPI rating was No. 25 on Thursday according to RealTimeRPI.com, while its schedule was ranked as the nation's 23rd-toughest.
* TCU has totaled 11 or more offensive rebounds in six straight contests, the team's longest streak since 2007-08. The last time the Frogs had more consecutive 11-plus performances was 2005-06 (10 straight).
* TCU is forcing an average of 20.7 turnovers per game, 3.4 turnovers more than any other Mountain West team.
* TCU ranks second in the MW in turnover margin (+4.11) and third in blocked shots (2.89 bpg) and offensive rebounds (12.22 orpg).
* J.R. Cadot is No. 2 in the MW in offensive rebounds (3.56 rpg); No. 3 in total rebounds (8.1 rpg); tied for No. 4 in blocked shots (0.89 bpg); No. 5 in steals (1.89 spg) and defensive rebounds (4.56 rpg); No. 7 in minutes played (32.00 mpg); and No. 12 in scoring (12.4 ppg).
* Cadot is the only guard in MW, and the lone league player shorter than 6-8, averaging more than 5.8 rebounds this season. He has at least five boards in each contest.
* Cadot has totaled six blocked shots in the last three games.
* Cadot has scored in double figures five straight games, seven times in nine contests this season and 14 times in the last 18 games dating back to last February. He had only four such efforts in 25 career games prior to the current stretch.
* Cadot owns a field-goal shooting rate of 71.6% in his career at the DMC.
* Amric Fields has scored in double figures a career-best five consecutive games. He is tied with Cadot for the team's longest current streak.
* Hank Thorns is shooting 47.4% in the second half of games this season, compared to a first-half rate of only 21.6%. He is averaging 8.9 ppg in the second half and 3.7 ppg prior to intermission.
* Thorns, who has played only 41 games as a Frog, is just 54 assists shy of entering the team's career top-10 list (321).
* Thorns is No. 5 in the MW in assists (4.67 apg) and minutes played (32.89 mpg); tied for No. 6 in steals (1.78 spg); and tied for No. 9 in scoring (13.0 ppg).
| NEBBRASKA PROJECTED STARTERS | ||||||
No. | Name | Pos. | Ht. | Yr. | Year | 2011-12 Statistics |
3 | Brandon Richardson | G | 6-0 | 190 | Sr. | 5.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.6 apg |
13 | Brandon Ubel | F | 6-10 | 235 | Jr. | 6.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.5 apg |
21 | Brian Jorge Diaz | C | 6-11 | 244 | Jr. | 11.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.5 bpg |
23 | Bo Spencer | G | 6-2 | 196 | Sr. | 16.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4.0 apg |
25 | Caleb Walker | G | 6-4 | 205 | Sr. | 7.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.1 apg |
| TCU PROJECTED STARTERS | ||||||
No. | Name | Pos. | Ht. | Yr. | Year | 2011-12 Statistics |
4 | Amric Fields | F | 6-9 | 215 | So. | 10.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 0.8^ apg |
10 | Hank Thorns | G | 5-9 | 165 | Sr. | 13.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 4.7 apg |
21 | Nate Butler | G | 6-6 | 200 | Jr. | 3.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.4 bpg |
23 | J.R. Cadot | G | 6-5 | 210 | Sr. | 12.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.9 bpg |
24 | Adrick McKinney | F | 6-8 | 260 | Jr. | 7.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.1 spg |
SCOUTING THE NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS
Nebraska, 5-3 this season under sixth-year head coach Doc Sadler, squeaked past fellow TCU opponent Florida Gulf Coast at home Wednesday in its latest outing, 51-50. The Frogs also defeated the Eagles by one point. The Huskers had dropped three of their past four games prior to the FGCU win, suffering losses against Oregon (83-76), Wake Forest (55-53) and No. 19 Creighton.
NU finished last season with a 19-13 overall record and tied for seventh place in the Big 12 Conference with a 7-9 league mark. The squad reached the first round of the postseason NIT.
The Huskers average 66.8 ppg and are outrebounding opponents by a margin of +4.3 rpg. The squad is shooting 44.5% from the field overall and 35.9% from 3-point range. NU has turned the ball over an average of 14.4 times per game compared to its opponents' mark of only 13.3 tpg.
Senior guard Bo Spencer, a transfer from LSU, is Nebraska's leading scorer (16.0 ppg) and also is tops in assists (4.0 apg). Junior center Brian Jorge Diaz (11.1 ppg) and junior guard Dylan Talley (10.0 ppg) also average double figures, while junior forward Brandon Ubel is the team's top rebounder (5.9 rpg).
INSIDE THE SERIES: TCU-NEBRASKA
Nebraska leads the all-time series against TCU by a 6-2 margin. The two squads, which have met each of the previous three seasons, will conclude a four-game set Saturday. NU took each of the previous three matchups. TCU's last win in the series came in the second round of the 1999 NIT at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum, 101-89. The Frogs are 2-2 all-time against the Huskers in Fort Worth.
| TCU vs. Nebraska - All-Time Series | |||||
Date | W/L | Score | Site | ||
Dec. 20, 1951 | W | 58-57 (ot) | Fort Worth | ||
Dec. 11, 1970 | L | 64-69 | Fort Worth | ||
Dec. 11, 1972 | L | 58-72 | Lincoln | ||
March 24, 1983 | L | 57-67 | Lincoln | ||
March 15, 1999 | W | 101-89 | Fort Worth | ||
Nov. 19, 2008 | L | 50-62 | Fort Worth | ||
Nov. 21, 2009 | L | 77-90 | Lincoln | ||
Dec. 11, 2010 | L | 56-70 | Lincoln | ||
LAST TIME WE MET: NU 70, TCU 56*
Nebraska used a strong second-half run to pull away from TCU late during a 70-56 victory in Lincoln, Neb., on Dec. 11, 2010.
A basket and free throw by Ronnie Moss with 12:40 remaining gave the Frogs a one point lead, 42-41, but the advantage would prove to be short lived. Nebraska responded with a 13-0 run, highlighted by back-to-back 3-pointers by guards Eshaunte Jones and Lance Jeter, to pull away with the victory. The Huskers were hot from 3-point range throughout the afternoon, making 10-of-17 shots.
Two Frogs scored in double figures, including Moss, who had 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting. Moss also led the squad with five rebounds, while Hank Thorns totaled game highs with four assists and three steals. Garlon Green totaled 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting, including a 3-for-4 effort from beyond the arc, while Sammy Yeager added nine points.
As a team, TCU shot 37.9% from the field, including only 30.3% in the first half. The squad did make 11 3-pointers, although it also took a season-high 28 attempts.
*Box score available on page 38 of TCU game notes.
TCU EDGES TEXAS TECH TUESDAY
TCU ran out to a fast start and coasted to victory in the second half Tuesday, running its winning streak to four games with a 75-69 victory over Texas Tech at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. The Horned Frogs hit a season-high 11 3-pointers in victory, including nine in the first half alone.
J.R. Cadot again came up with the plays in crunch time to help TCU hold off a late, slow charge by Texas Tech. After trailing by as many as 16 points early in the first half, the Red Raiders shot a sizzling 61.9% from the field in the stanza to climb back into the contest.
After Tech was able to cut the advantage to only six points on a dunk by Jaron Nash with 3:07 remaining, Cadot answered with the first of his late plays. He pulled down an offensive rebound after missing a pair of free throws, then layed the ball in to give his squad a 70-62 edge with only 2:49 left.
Cadot later iced the game on a pair of clutch free throws after guard Toddrick Gotcher cut the Frog lead to only two points with 22 seconds left. Cadot calmly stepped to the line and sank both shots to put TCU up by four, 73-69, with only 13 seconds left.
Cadot recorded his sixth career double-double, and his third this season, by totaling a season-high 18 points and 10 rebounds. Garlon Green led a strong TCU outside scoring attack, totaling a season-high 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including 3-of-7 from beyond the arc.
TCU-TEXAS TECH POSTGAME NOTES
* TCU earned its second straight win over Texas Tech and its third in the last four years. The consecutive wins marks the first Frog winning streak against the Red Raiders since the squad took four-straight decisions between Dec. 14, 1996 and Dec. 28, 2000.
* TCU made a season-high 11 3-pointers, its most in a game since totaling 14 in a 70-65 loss at Air Force on March 2, 2011.
* Texas Tech turned the ball over 20 times, the fourth time a TCU opponent has reached the 20-miscue level.
* J.R. Cadot recorded the sixth double-double of his career and his third this season with 18 points and 10 rebounds. The 18 points matched a season high was fell only one point shy of his career high.
* Garlon Green scored a season-high 18 points. His first-half total of 16 was only one point shy of his previous season high for a game (16). Green also matched a career best with three 3-pointers.
* The attendance of 6,290 was the largest for a TCU home non-conference game since 7,218 fans saw the Frogs defeat Texas Tech (83-68) on Nov. 23, 2004.
CARDIAC KIDS
TCU has shown the ability to win close games this season, as six of the team's seven wins have come by six points or fewer. The only Frog victory by more than five points was against a non-Division I opponent, Austin College.
* Overall, TCU is 6-0 in games decided by six points or fewer this season. The Frogs' fortunes appear to have changed from last season, when they went only 2-5 in such contests.
* The six close wins already rank as the most by six points or fewer in an entire season for TCU since 2004-05, when it also totaled six.
* Hank Thorns delivered game-tying buckets in regulation (3-pointer; 0:20) and overtime (layup; 1:00) and the winning layup in overtime (1.4 seconds) during its Dec. 3 overtime win at Evansville.
* Thorns also helped hold off a late Florida Gulf Coast rally in the season opener, scoring on a scoop layup shot with only 11 seconds left to provide the winning points as the Eagles rallied late during a 73-72 TCU victory.
* TCU trailed with only 6.1 seconds remaining during its Nov. 26 road win at Houston before J.R. Cadot delivered the winning layup at the buzzer.
* Cadot also provided the winning points during TCU's Nov. 18 win over Virginia at the Paradise Jam, grabbing an offensive rebound off a missed free throw, laying the ball in and drawing the foul with under 20 seconds remaining. The Frogs held off the Cavaliers late for the 57-55 win.
HITTING THE OFFENSIVE GLASS
TCU has been effective at generating second opportunities by hitting the offensive boards recently.
* The squad has totaled 11 or more offensive rebounds in six straight contests, the team's longest streak since the first six games of 2007-08.
* TCU is third in the Mountain West rankings in offensive rebounding (12.38 orpg).
* TCU has two of the MW's top-6 players in offensive rebounding in J.R. Cadot (No. 2) and Adrick McKinney (No. 6).
