After a prolific scoring display in Costa Rica, Long Beach State transfer Gavin Sykes leads the Horned Frogs into a final exhibition clash to solidify TCU’s rebuilt rotation.
Gavin Sykes needed only two exhibition games to become one of the most interesting pieces of TCU's rebuilt roster.
Now he'll get another one before the results actually count.
TCU will face Wyoming in a free exhibition on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. at the Al G. Langford Chaparral Center on the campus of Midland College, the program announced.
The matchup gives Jamie Dixon's group one final tune-up before opening the regular season against Lindenwood on Nov. 2.
And after what Sykes did during TCU's recent trip to Costa Rica ... he'll certainly be worth watching.
The Long Beach State transfer led the Horned Frogs in scoring during both exhibition victories over the University of Ottawa, pouring in 20 points during a 93-66 win before scoring another 20 in TCU's 99-70 victory the following day.
Sykes finished the trip shooting 8-of-14 from behind the arc.
That's quite the first impression from a player TCU will need to help replace production from a backcourt that lost multiple contributors following last season.
Sykes arrived in Fort Worth with a considerably stronger scoring résumé than the typical sophomore transfer. He averaged 19.4 points as a freshman at Long Beach State while shooting 38.7 percent from 3-point range, earning Big West Freshman of the Year honors after finishing sixth nationally in scoring among freshmen.
Costa Rica provided the first indication that his scoring could immediately translate to Dixon's roster.
Wyoming provides the next opportunity to test it.
Of course, another October exhibition won't answer whether Sykes can eventually become TCU's leading scorer once Big 12 play arrives. The Frogs didn't release complete box scores from Costa Rica, and three preseason appearances would still represent a tiny sample before the competition and stakes increase considerably.
But there's value in getting another look.
TCU rebuilt a significant portion of its roster this offseason, meaning Dixon has rotations, roles and shot distribution to sort through before Nov. 2. Sykes' 40 points in Costa Rica gave him an early argument for a substantial place within that equation.
The trip to Midland won't only be about basketball, either.
TCU will host a free youth clinic and meet-and-greet Friday, Oct. 16 at Midland's Diamondback Energy Athletic Complex. The event is open to boys and girls in grades K-8 and will conclude with autograph and photo opportunities with the team and coaching staff.
TCU owns a 12-9 advantage in its regular-season series with Wyoming and won the most recent meeting 64-47 in November 2019.
This matchup won't alter that record.
It will, however, give Sykes and TCU's new-look roster another chance to build on what they started in Costa Rica before the real evaluation begins.
