Following a crucial victory, TCU clashes with Baylor in Waco. Expect a physical battle where shot efficiency and home-court advantage could decide this pivotal Big 12 test.
TCU’s season continues to live on a knife-edge, and Saturday night’s trip to Waco might say a lot about where the Horned Frogs are headed next.
Fresh off a gritty win over Oklahoma State, TCU heads south to face a Baylor team that’s still dangerous at home, even as it searches for traction in Big 12 play.
This matchup feels bigger than the standings suggest.
Both teams sit under .500 in conference play, but neither looks like a group ready to fade quietly. Baylor has been tough to handle inside the Ferrell Center, using tempo, spacing, and rebounding to control games on its home floor.
TCU, meanwhile, is trying to turn narrow wins into sustained momentum after several close calls earlier in league play.
The biggest difference in this game could come down to efficiency and shot selection. Baylor plays fast and scores in bunches, particularly when its guards are able to get downhill early in possessions.
When the Bears are comfortable offensively, they force opponents to keep pace, a dangerous formula against a TCU team that has struggled at times in late-game execution.
That said, TCU brings some quiet advantages into this contest.
The Horned Frogs defend the perimeter well and don’t give up many clean looks from deep, which could neutralize one of Baylor’s biggest strengths.
If TCU can keep the Bears from turning the game into a track meet, the Frogs will like their chances deep into the second half.
David Punch’s recent surge has also changed the complexion of TCU’s offense.
His ability to score through contact and clean the glass gives the Frogs a steady interior presence they can rely on when shots aren’t falling. Pair that with Xavier Edmonds’ consistency over the last few weeks, and TCU suddenly looks more balanced than it did earlier in conference play.
For Baylor, home-court energy and rebounding will be the key pressure points. The Bears do their best work when they control defensive boards and quickly turn stops into offense.
If Cameron Carr and Obi Agbim can set the tone early, Baylor can dictate pace and keep TCU playing from behind.
Ultimately, this game feels like a swing moment for both programs. A win would give TCU its first real road confidence boost in Big 12 play, while Baylor needs a statement performance to reassert itself in a crowded conference race.
Expect a physical, tightly contested game where discipline, not flash, decides the outcome.