Kansas meets TCU again in the Big 12 Tournament after a dramatic OT win earlier this season.
The Kansas vs. TCU Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal matchup might look routine on paper, but anyone who watched their first meeting knows the Jayhawks are walking into a dangerous rematch.
Earlier this season, Kansas survived TCU in an overtime thriller at Allen Fieldhouse, but the final result hid how close the Horned Frogs came to pulling off the upset.
TCU built a 16-point lead before Kansas clawed back behind a huge performance from freshman star Darryn Peterson, who finished with 32 points and knocked down clutch free throws late to force overtime.
That game proved something important ... TCU’s style gives Kansas real problems.
The Horned Frogs thrive on physical play and relentless work on the glass. TCU averages 12.4 offensive rebounds per game, one of the best marks in the Big 12, which allows them to generate second-chance points and slow down high-powered offenses.
Kansas’ frontcourt duo of Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller will again be tested. TCU may not feature traditional seven-footers, but its lineup is filled with tough, athletic forwards who attack the paint and crash the boards aggressively.
Momentum is also on the Horned Frogs’ side. Jamie Dixon’s team closed the regular season by winning nine of its final ten games, including statement victories over Iowa State and Texas Tech.
That late surge has turned TCU into one of the hottest teams in the conference entering the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City.
For Kansas, the formula for victory is clear: limit second chances and get another dominant performance from Peterson.
The freshman guard has emerged as the centerpiece of the Jayhawks’ offense and could once again be the difference-maker if the game turns into another tight battle.
If the first meeting taught us anything, it’s this ... TCU is not intimidated by Kansas.
On a neutral court, the Horned Frogs have another chance to prove that the near-upset in January wasn’t a fluke - and the Jayhawks know they’ll need far more than a miracle comeback this time around.