With TCU's first basketball season in the Big 12 on the horizon, it's important to know what to look for and what to expect. Here's a rundown on the team:
Returning players
Garlon Green, senior, forward
Green was one of TCU's top scoring options last year, averaging 9.9 points per game. Not only is Green one of the most athletic players on the team with his highlight reel dunks, he is also the most experienced. In his career, he's started 52 games and played in 97 total. Expect the team to lean on Green even more this season as their primary option on offense.
Kyan Anderson, sophomore, guard
Replacing Hank Thorns at point guard will not be an easy task, but sophomore Kyan Anderson is the likely candidate to fill that spot this season. That's not to say he's unqualified: Anderson was the MWC Freshman of the Year last season and averaged 8.03 points per game with 91 total assists (an average of about 3 per game).
Amric Fields, junior, forward
As we saw with the Oklahoma City Thunder and James Harden last season, having an extremely talented sixth man can be a huge advantage to swing the momentum of some games. Amric Fields is the Frogs' James Harden. The 6'9 Fields is an extremely versatile power forward and reigning MWC Sixth Man of the Year who averaged 9.6 points per game and shot 51.1 percent from the field last season. Fields will act as a game-changer and swing momentum towards the Frogs off the bench.
Adrick McKinney, senior, forward
If there's one thing teams need in the Big 12 to be successful, it's size. The 6'8, 250-pound McKinney who averaged a team-high 3.8 rebounds per game last season helps make TCU bigger in the post and gives them a crucial inside presence. While guys like Green and Anderson will handle the majority of the offense, McKinney's main priority will be disrupting the opposition's offense with blocks and rebounds.
Jarvis Ray, junior, guard
Ray saw action in 12 of 15 games last season before sitting out the remainder to focus on his grades. Expect him to make more of an impact this season at shooting guard.
Nate Butler Lind, senior, guard
Having experience is important, and Butler Lind definitely has that as one of the seniors on this TCU team. He will give TCU some length as well as a defensive presence on the outside. If he can improve his offensive game, he'll be a very solid starter for this team.
Connell Crossland, senior, guard
Like Butler Lind, the 6'7 Crossland gives the Frogs length on the outside and a bigger body to work with. Crossland led the Frogs in rebounding twice last season and ranked fifth on the team in total rebounds. He also started eight games last year and can fill that role if need be.
Thomas Montigel, junior, guard
Montigel, who hails from nearby Paschal High School, has seen limited playing time in his career, playing only five games last year for the Frogs. It'll be important for him to step in at point guard in the event of an injury, however, and he does have a chance to get some playing time now that Thorns is gone.
Chris Zurcher, sophomore, guard
Like Montigel, former walk-on Chris Zurcher has seen limited playing time in his career, playing only nine games last season. Trent Johnson praised Zurcher for his competitive attitude so it will be important for him to maintain that drive and keep a fire under the team's belly throughout the course of the season.
New players
Devonta Abron, sophomore, forward
Out of all the new prospects for the Frogs, Devonta Abron is probably the most exciting. The 6-8, 255-pound big man transferred from the University of Arkansas and was granted a NCAA waiver so he can play for TCU this year. Despite playing just 16 minutes per game last season, Abron led the Razorbacks as a freshman with his 4.2 rebounds per game average. He'll give the Frogs some experience against top-tier talent, acquired while playing in the SEC, as well as some more size in the paint.
Christian Gore, sophomore, guard
Gore played the 2011 fall semester at Brown University before transferring to TCU in January. He redshirted in the spring, but will be available if needed this season. He matched his career high of six points in his only start at Brown and shot 43 percent from behind the arc.
Kemal Dincer, freshman, guard
If we are going simply off of pedigree, Dincer may be the most intriguing addition to the team. Originally from Turkey, both Dincer's father and grandfather played for the Turkish National Team and club team, Fenerbahce. The 6'3 guard averaged 15 points per game in a junior league in 2011 and played club basketball with the Istanbul BB senior team last season. He'll provide the Frogs with more depth at the guard position.
Aaron Durley, freshman, center
While the former Marquette signee most likely won't be playing this season due to a knee injury, Durley gives the Frogs huge size with his 6'10, 270-pound frame. If he can continue to develop and recover from his injury, he'll be a huge addition in the years to come for the Frogs.
Charles Hill Jr., freshman, guard
Hill Jr. is a combo guard from Trimble Tech in Fort Worth who gives the Frogs another scoring option. He averaged 16.0 points and 3.1 steals per game during his senior year of high school. The No. 27 player in the state of Texas also gives the Frogs more depth at both guard positions (he can play both).
Clyde Smith III, freshman, guard
For depth at the guard position, the Frogs will also look towards Clyde Smith III. Smith comes from Hotchkiss High School in Lakeville, Connecticut. Much like Hill Jr., Smith III can play both the point and the two guard spot. He will give the Frogs some added versatility this season as well.
