TCU goes back on the road Tuesday, this time to play No. 12 Kansas State in Manhattan. Once again, the Frogs will be without point guard Mike Miles and probably big man Eddie Lampkin.
Last time out, TCU lost a close one in Stillwater against Oklahoma State, 79-73. The absence from the two starters was felt throughout the game, especially in the case of Lampkin as Cowboy big man Kalib Boone feasted on a smaller TCU squad, scoring 25 points on 11-15 shooting.
While it’s possible that Lampkin could play on Tuesday against the Wildcats, it is almost certain that Miles will not, meaning that the Frogs will have to lean on others for scoring. In the loss to Oklahoma State, scoring was not a problem for Jamie Dixon’s squad, as five Frogs finished in double figures. Emanuel Miller finished with 17 points and 4 rebounds in the loss.
TCU will call upon the senior forward to lead the way once again on Tuesday. Last time these two teams played, Miller shined. He led all scorers with 23 points on 50% shooting and also contributed 8 rebounds and 4 assists.
Another Frog that has played well of late is Shahada Wells. Without Miles, Wells has had more opportunity and has taken the most of it. In his last five games, he has averaged 12.6 points per game, including a 17-point game in TCU’s blowout over Kansas and a 16-point game in the team’s most recent win over West Virginia.
For Kansas State, the duo of Markquis Nowell and Keyontae Johnson has been dangerous all season. Together, the two are averaging 34.9 points per game, 18.1 for Johnson and 16.8 for Nowell. Finding a way to contain those two will be difficult for TCU’s defense, but luckily for the Frogs, they may not have to. In the two teams’ last meeting in January, both Johnson and Nowell got theirs, scoring 18 and 16 respectively, combining for exactly half of Kansas State’s total points, but TCU was able to limit everybody else. Dixon’s defense forced 20 Wildcat turnovers and held the six other Wildcats to 34 points.
After a strong start to Big 12 play, Kansas State is reeling. Jerome Tang’s squad has lost three of its last four games; the one win came against Florida in the Big 12/SEC challenge, meaning the Wildcats have not won a conference game since Jan. 24. Luckily for them, they are catching a limping TCU team at the right time.
The Frogs have lost two of three games, both losses coming on the road. The good news for TCU is that the last time it won a road game, the win came in the state of Kansas.
The Horned Frogs will look to get back in the win column and continue their good luck in Kansas against the Wildcats on Tuesday at 8 p.m. You can watch the game on ESPN.
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