The TCU men’s basketball team has recorded more than 1,070 wins in its history, but none of those have occurred since Jan. 12.
Saturday the Frogs welcome New Mexico at 7 p.m. to Daniel-Meyer Coliseum for TCU’s final home game of the season. Even if TCU (10-19, 1-13 MWC) wins its next two games against the Lobos and at Air Force, it can do no better than share last place in the MWC standings with Wyoming.
In their last meeting with the Lobos (17-10, 5-8 MWC) on Jan. 26, the Frogs fell 71-46. Like the last time the Frogs matched up with the Lobos, the Frogs will still be missing junior guard and leading scorer Ronnie Moss, who averaged 15.7 points per game before his indefinite suspension in late January.
If the Frogs win Saturday, the team will break an 11-game losing streak and will notch their second conference victory of the season. The Frogs are fresh off one of their tightest defensive battles of the season. Their last game was a 50-48 loss to Utah (13-15, 6-8 MWC) Tuesday. The game was decided in the closing seconds as Utah guard Will Clyburn broke a tie game on a free throw. Coming into Saturday’s game, the Lobos and the Frogs will share an odd commonality: Both teams’ previous games against Utah ended in a two-point loss to the Utes.
Utah’s 50 points marked the low total for a TCU opponent this season. Sophomore forward Nikola Cerina aided the defensive effort with a career-high 11 rebounds, his first game with double figures on the glass.
Junior guard Hank Thorns led TCU in scoring with 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting. Junior guard J.R. Cadot pitched in 12 points in his fourth consecutive game scoring 12 or more.
New Mexico’s last game against UNLV Wednesday turned into an overtime battle at The Pit 8212; UNLV, third in the MWC standings, eventually defeated UNM 77-74 after a 15-point Lobos’ rally in the second half. UNM senior Dairese Gary scored a career-high 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting and also recorded six assists and three steals in the loss. The Lobos are currently sixth in the MWC, but could catch the Utes for fifth in the conference with a win against the Frogs.
Gacesa and Hill will be honored during the final Frogs home game, which is Senior Day for the Frogs.
Who: TCU vs. New Mexico
When: Saturday at 7 p.m.
Where: Daniel-Meyer Coliseum
Radio: KTCU FM-88.7, WBAP AM-820
TV: CBS College Sports
GoFrogs.com: Follow GameTracker or listen live.
