Basketball team prepares to avenge loss vs. Rice

By Matt Stiver
Skiff Staff

TCU men’s head basketball coach Billy Tubbs threw his notebook on the table after watching his team lose at home to Rice 73-66 on Jan. 20.

“We got out-played, out-hustled and out-scrapped,” Tubbs said after the game.

Since that time, the Frogs have been the team out-playing, out-hustling and out-scrapping their opponents. When TCU takes the floor at Autry Court in Houston Saturday, the Frogs will have a chance to snatch a win from the Owls’ nest.

Senior forward Myron Anthony said the Frogs are looking for revenge.

David Dunai/SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Senior forward Myron Anthony battles inside in the Frogs 104-58 win over Alabama State Nov. 20. TCU plays at Rice today in Houston looking for revenge for an early-season loss.

“No question about it,” Anthony said. “That loss probably hurt us more than the win helped them. We need to use (the loss) as fuel. We have to beat Rice if we want to accomplish the things we want.”

What the Frogs want is a berth in the NCAA Tournament, a dream that becomes increasingly dim with each loss. TCU, 16-7 (5-4 in Western Athletic Conference play), cannot afford another loss to the Owls.

Since their loss to the Rice, the Frogs are 3-1, with victories over Southern Methodist and Tulsa and a 92-89, last-second loss at Texas-El Paso.

TCU increased its physical presence under the basket. In ending a six-game losing streak to Tulsa on Feb. 1, the Frogs out-rebounded the Golden Hurricane, 43-41. In an 82-66 loss on Jan. 6, Tulsa out-boarded the Frogs 48-39.

Anthony played a key role in the Tulsa win, grabbing 13 rebounds and scoring 20 points. Equally as important, though, was his hustle around the basket. After a four-rebound, seven-point performance in the first Tulsa loss, Anthony has averaged 16.3 points and eight rebounds a game, both above his season averages.

“It was more of a personal challenge I made to myself to do more — score more points and get more rebounds,” Anthony said.“I knew my teammates were counting on me.”

During their loss to Rice earlier this season, the Frogs shot only 35 percent from the floor and were out-rebounded by Rice’s 5-foot-11-inch Mike Wilks. The WAC’s leading three-point team (39 percent) shot only 29 percent.

Anthony said the Frogs underestimated the Owls.

“We didn’t come out with intensity,” Anthony said. “Now we know Rice can beat us, and we’ll be ready.”

Tubbs said the Frogs will be ready to play.

“That was then, and this is now,” Tubbs said. “We’ll see what happens.”

Matt Stiver
m.r.stiver@student.tcu.edu