TCU’s Timely Tweaks Spark Statement Win Over No. 5 Iowa State
In a season where every possession matters and every lineup decision can tip the scales, TCU men’s basketball made a move Tuesday night that might just change the course of its season - and maybe more than that. The Horned Frogs didn’t just upset No.
5 Iowa State. They made a statement.
And it all started with a subtle, but significant, change to the starting five.
Head coach Jamie Dixon slid sophomore forward Micah Robinson into the starting lineup in place of Oregon State transfer Liutaurus Lelevicius. On paper, it might seem like a minor adjustment. In reality, it was a spark that ignited TCU’s biggest win of the year.
Robinson, one of the most highly touted recruits in program history, responded with the best performance of his young career - 17 points, six rebounds, two steals, and a defensive effort that helped silence a future pro in Iowa State’s Milan Momcilovic down the stretch. It wasn’t just a good game; it was a coming-of-age moment for a player TCU needs to develop and keep if it wants to compete consistently in the Big 12.
So why make the move now?
“There were a couple of slow starts, but there were a variety of things,” Dixon said postgame. “We have [Vianney Salatchoum] now.
It gives us another big to throw in there [with Lelevicius]... But like I said, the minutes were exactly the same.
The key was those guys didn’t get into foul trouble.”
Dixon has long downplayed the importance of who starts versus who finishes, preferring to focus on total minutes and matchups. But there’s no denying the impact of Robinson’s presence from the opening tip. He gave TCU a jolt of athleticism and versatility, especially on the defensive end, where his length and foot speed allowed him to stay in front of one of the most skilled wings in the country.
This wasn’t Robinson’s first start - he filled in against Baylor back in January when David Punch was out sick - but this was the first time he earned the nod with the full roster available. And he made the most of it.
“It definitely means a lot,” Robinson said. “It shows the trust the coaching staff and my teammates have in me. It meant a lot to be able to come out there and compete.”
Robinson set the tone early, leading the team with nine first-half points. Then, with the game on the line, he delivered two emphatic dunks in the final minutes that not only sealed the win, but sent a message: TCU isn’t done yet.
Even more impressive? Robinson didn’t force anything.
He played within the flow of the offense, made smart decisions, and stayed composed even as Iowa State made its inevitable runs. Against one of the best defenses in the country, that kind of poise is rare - especially from a sophomore.
“Robinson is a winning player with how versatile and how great of a defender he is,” Cyclones head coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “He made so many big plays.”
But Robinson wasn’t the only unsung hero of the night.
Toolson Turns It Up
Tanner Toolson, the high-energy reserve wing, gave TCU a massive lift off the bench with 17 points, nine rebounds, and - maybe most importantly - 10 made free throws. Toolson was everywhere. He scored eight points during a critical 10-0 run that flipped the game in the second half, and he kept Iowa State from getting second-chance opportunities with his relentless rebounding.
Toolson’s motor was on full display. He attacked the rim with zero hesitation, drew 10 fouls, and gave the Cyclones’ frontcourt fits with his physicality and fearlessness. At 6-foot-5, he gave TCU a bigger guard option when Dixon opted to pair him with Jayden Pierre instead of the usual Pierre-Brock Harding combo - a move that helped the Frogs match Iowa State’s length and defensive pressure.
“The way I play my game, I’m going to give 100% effort every single time,” Toolson said. “If everybody could play hard, they would. I take pride in that, and it was nice to see the ball go into the basket tonight.”
Dixon admitted Toolson’s all-gas-no-brakes style can be a double-edged sword at times, but he’s willing to live with the occasional chaos because of everything else Toolson brings.
“Sometimes I’d like to slow him down offensively and defensively at times,” Dixon said. “But if you can’t do it, you can live with him going full speed all the time.
He’s just so passionate about it. He cares and he plays hard.
Every long rebound seemed to be his, and some of those loose ball steals.”
A Win That Could Shift the Season
This wasn’t just a win - it was a lifeline. Coming into the night, TCU was teetering on the edge of the NCAA Tournament bubble.
According to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, the Horned Frogs were hanging on by a thread. By the next day, they had moved into the projected field as the last team in.
That’s how much this win mattered.
There’s still work to do. TCU can’t afford another slip-up, and the margin for error remains razor-thin. But Dixon’s willingness to tweak the rotation - and the way players like Robinson and Toolson answered the call - gives the Frogs a fighting chance.
Sometimes, it really is the little things. A lineup change here.
A spark off the bench there. And suddenly, a season that looked like it might be slipping away has new life.
TCU isn’t just hoping to dance in March - they’re starting to look like a team that believes they belong.