Relive a defining era as TCU celebrates its 1986 SWC Champions, a team whose buzzer-beaters and grit still inspire.
TCU basketball will take a meaningful step back in time on February 7, honoring one of the most important teams in program history.
At halftime of the Horned Frogs’ afternoon matchup against the Kansas State Wildcats, the university will recognize the TCU Horned Frogs squad that captured the 1985-86 Southwest Conference championship.
For longtime fans, the ceremony is more than a reunion; it’s a reminder of a season that helped define what winning basketball looked like at TCU.
Under head coach Jim Killingsworth, the Horned Frogs put together a 22-9 campaign, navigating the grind of the SWC to finish atop the league standings with a 12-4 conference record.
That team was built on toughness, balance, and timely moments - none more memorable than a buzzer-beater that still lives in TCU lore.
Late in a tight contest against Texas, Jamie Dixon launched a desperation heave from halfcourt that found the bottom of the net, sealing a dramatic one-point win.
It wasn’t just a highlight; it was a turning point that embodied the confidence and resilience of that championship group.
Statistically, the team leaned on consistent scoring and unselfish play. Carl Lott led the way offensively, averaging nearly 16 points per game and setting the tone as a reliable scoring option. Carven Holcombe provided steady secondary production, giving TCU multiple ways to attack defenses at a time when depth and versatility were critical in conference play.
But numbers alone don’t explain why this team still resonates nearly four decades later. The 1985-86 Horned Frogs represented a belief that TCU could stand toe-to-toe with the league’s heavyweights and emerge on top.
That championship laid a foundational pride that continues to shape the program’s identity.
The list of players being honored reflects that shared legacy: teammates who came together for something bigger than individual accolades.
Many went on to careers in coaching, business, and leadership, carrying with them the discipline and camaraderie forged during that title run.
Recognizing this group during a modern Big 12 matchup creates a fitting bridge between eras. Today’s Horned Frogs play in a different conference, under different circumstances, but the standard remains the same: compete, execute, and believe until the final horn.
As fans gather for the afternoon tip, the halftime tribute will serve as a reminder that banners aren’t raised by chance.
They’re earned through moments ... sometimes even from halfcourt—that define a program forever.