David Punch and Xavier Edmonds lead TCU into a pivotal Big 12 matchup against defensive-minded West Virginia in Fort Worth on Saturday.
FORT WORTH - TCU returns home Saturday afternoon with a chance to climb back into the thick of the Big 12 race.
The Horned Frogs (16-10, 6-7 Big 12) welcome West Virginia (16-10, 7-6) to Schollmaier Arena in a matchup that feels bigger than the records suggest. With postseason positioning at stake, both teams are looking to separate from the middle of the conference pack.
Jamie Dixon’s group has been tough in Fort Worth, posting an 11-5 home record this season and winning three of its last four on its home floor.
TCU ranks 30th nationally in defensive efficiency according to KenPom and forces 13.7 turnovers per game, good for third in the Big 12. The Frogs also average nearly 15 fastbreak points and 4.9 blocks per contest.
Sophomore David Punch has emerged as one of the conference’s most versatile players. He leads TCU with 14.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while averaging 2.1 blocks - second in the Big 12 and among the top 20 nationally.
Punch is the only player on the roster averaging at least 14 points, six rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocks.
Xavier Edmonds continues to raise his level in conference play. The junior forward is averaging 14.4 points and 8.1 rebounds in Big 12 games and has recorded seven double-doubles in his last eight outings. He’s shooting an efficient 55.1 percent in league play.
Backcourt production remains steady with Brock Harding dishing out 5.7 assists per game, ranking fourth in the conference. He’s also adding 1.6 steals per contest.
Liutauras Lelevicius provides perimeter shooting, hitting 40.4 percent from three overall and nearly 49 percent in Big 12 games.
West Virginia brings its own defensive identity, holding opponents to just 63.7 points per game ... one of the top marks nationally. Honor Huff leads the Mountaineers with 15.5 points per game and is among the country’s leaders in three-point attempts.
TCU has won four straight against West Virginia in Fort Worth. With only a handful of regular-season games remaining, protecting home court is critical.