Welcome back to the madness of March! The TCU Horned Frogs are set to make their mark in the NCAA Tournament as a No. 9 seed in the East Region.
They're gearing up to face the No. 8 seed Ohio State Buckeyes in Greenville, SC, this Thursday. Tip-off is at 11:15 AM Central on CBS.
This marks TCU's fourth appearance in the last five years under the guidance of head coach Jamie Dixon, a testament to the program's consistent rise.
Landing in the 8/9 matchup often means a nail-biter, and this one promises to be just that. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, TCU enters as 2.5-point underdogs, with the moneyline also slightly against them at +105.
The over/under is pegged at 146.5, indicating a potentially tight, low-scoring affair. Historically, TCU has struggled against Ohio State, having never beaten them in four previous meetings.
The last encounter was back in 1969, with TCU falling short 80-89.
Ohio State comes into this game with a formidable weapon in Bruce Thornton. The two-time All-Big Ten guard is a force on the court, averaging over 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. His sharpshooting from beyond the arc at 43% makes him a constant threat.
If TCU manages to topple Ohio State, they could face the daunting Duke Blue Devils in the next round. Duke, the top overall seed and ACC Champion, boasts a 32-2 record and features potential No.
1 NBA Draft pick Cameron Boozer. However, injuries to key players like Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba could play a role.
Assuming Duke handles business against the 16-seed Siena Saints, TCU could be staring down one of college basketball's most storied programs.
This matchup is set to be a thrilling start to TCU’s tournament journey, with the potential for high drama and excitement.