TCU battles for a March Madness berth, needing clutch wins and Xavier Edmonds' surge to solidify their precarious bubble position.
With Selection Sunday roughly six weeks away, TCU finds itself in the thick of the NCAA Tournament bubble conversation. According to CBSSports.com and resume-based metrics, the Horned Frogs are still alive - but there’s very little margin for error the rest of the way.
After a rocky stretch in Big 12 play, TCU has slipped behind fellow bubble teams like UCF and Oklahoma State in both overall record and resume strength.
That slide pushed the Horned Frogs dangerously close to “long shot” territory, making every remaining game feel like a must-win. Still, the path to March Madness isn’t closed.
TCU’s case is built on quality wins. The Horned Frogs own three Quadrant 1 victories, highlighted by a marquee Quadrant 1A win over Florida earlier this season. Those results matter to the selection committee and continue to keep TCU relevant in at-large discussions, even as losses have piled up.
Saturday’s dramatic win over Kansas State was a critical step in stopping the bleeding. Junior Xavier Edmonds delivered a statement performance, scoring a career-high 26 points while adding 10 rebounds for his fifth straight double-double. Edmonds’ late free throws sealed the 84-82 victory and gave TCU the kind of momentum boost bubble teams desperately need in February.
There’s also some help coming from the schedule.
TCU is projected to face the Big 12’s easiest remaining slate, ranking 56th nationally in strength of schedule over the final stretch. That allows the Horned Frogs to stack wins, but it also removes excuses. Against a softer run-in, losses would be costly.
Up next is a massive home test against Iowa State, a game that could quickly reshape TCU’s outlook.
For now, the Horned Frogs remain afloat, but their NCAA Tournament hopes hinge on turning potential into consistency. One more skid could end the conversation entirely.