The TCU Horned Frogs don throwback jerseys for a retro whiteout, aiming to ignite a Big 12 turnaround against Kansas State with program history on the line.
The TCU Horned Frogs return to Fort Worth on Saturday with far more than just another Big 12 game on the line.
When TCU hosts the Kansas State Wildcats at 1 p.m. CT inside Schollmaier Arena, the afternoon will double as a celebration of program history and a chance to reset the season’s trajectory.
Saturday’s matchup will air nationally on TNT, TruTV, and HBO Max and features a full whiteout and retro theme, commemorating the 40th anniversary of TCU’s 1986 Southwest Conference championship.
The Horned Frogs will wear throwback uniforms inspired by that title team, complete with “Texas Christian” across the chest.
On the court, TCU enters at 13-9 overall and 3-6 in Big 12 play, a record that doesn’t quite reflect how competitive the Frogs have been. Six of TCU’s nine losses have come by six points or fewer, and the team is 9-5 at home this season.
According to ESPN’s Power Index, TCU also owns the easiest remaining schedule in the Big 12, making this stretch critical.
Sophomore forward David Punch continues to anchor the Frogs, leading the team with 14.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, and is one of the most versatile big men in the league.
His 2.2 blocks per game rank second in the Big 12 and 19th nationally, and he’s the only player in the country averaging at least 14 points, seven rebounds, one assist, one steal, and two blocks.
Guard Brock Harding ranks fourth in the Big 12 and 21st nationally with 6.1 assists per game, while also averaging 1.8 steals. Harding has dished out five or more assists in all but one conference game.
On the wing, Liutauras Lelevicius leads TCU in three-point accuracy, shooting 40.8 percent overall and 53.6 percent in Big 12 play.
The Frogs have also seen a surge from Xavier Edmonds, who has recorded four straight double-doubles, averaging 18.0 points and 10.5 rebounds over that span. Veteran guard Tanner Toolson adds reliability at the stripe, leading the Big 12 in conference free-throw percentage at 92.0 percent and sitting just 62 points shy of 1,000 for his career.
Kansas State arrives at 10-12 overall and 1-9 in league play, but the Wildcats are dangerous behind scoring guard PJ Haggerty, who ranks second in the Big 12 and fourth nationally at 23.0 points per game.
K-State also leans heavily on the 3-point shot, averaging 10.1 made threes per game.
Under head coach Jamie Dixon, TCU has been strong at home, compiling a 125-46 record at Schollmaier Arena. With history being honored and momentum still within reach, Saturday presents the Horned Frogs with a timely opportunity to turn close losses into meaningful wins ... before a quick turnaround to host No. 7 Iowa State on Tuesday.