Nov. 22, 2003
TCU Tidbits
Wrapping Up the Preseason
The TCU Horned Frogs concluded their two-game exhibition slate with a perfect 2-0 record after defeating Vilnius Sakalai 101-66 on Nov. 6 and turning away the EA Sports Southwest All-Stars 94-90 on Nov. 14.
EA Sports in the Game, But Frogs Prevail
The TCU Horned Frogs jumped out to a 20-point advantage in the first half, then held off a fierce second-half rally by the EA Sports Southwest All-Stars to win by a 94-90 count last Friday night in Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. TCU took a 53-35 advantage into the locker room. The Frogs shot 48.8 percent from the field in the first stanza, including 52.9 percent (9-for-17) from three-point range. However, EA Sports turned the tables in the second half, hitting on 11-of-21 treys and making 18 of their 38 shot attempts. In the process, EA earned its first lead of the game, 90-89, with 1:05 left to play. However, TCU freshman center Femi Ibikunle came up big in the final minute, hitting a jumper in the paint, making 3-of-4 free throws and securing a key defensive rebound. All five of his points came in the final 47 seconds and accounted for the 94-90 final. Junior Corey Valsin paced the Frogs with a game-high 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting. Four other TCU players (Aaron Curtis-12, Marcus Shropshire-11, Corey Santee-10 and Chudi Chinweze-10) reached double-figures. Santee posted a double-double on the evening as he dished out a game-high 10 assists. For the second straight game, the Horned Frogs enjoyed a 10-rebound advantage over their opponents.
Starting the 93rd Season
TCU officially begins its 93rd season of intercollegiate basketball tonight with a contest against Texas-Arlington. The Horned Frogs own an all-time record of 988-1125 (.468) in their previous 92 seasons of roundball.
About the Series
The TCU Horned Frogs lead the all-time series with the Texas-Arlington Mavericks by an 11-3 count. TCU has won six straight in the series, with the last loss coming on Nov. 29, 1980 (91-80). TCU earned a 115-84 victory in the most recent clash, which came on Dec. 19, 2000. TCU has reached the 100-point mark three times against UTA, including two of the last three times the teams have met. Each of the last five games have taken place in Fort Worth. The last time TCU traveled to Arlington was Nov. 28, 1981, the first game of the current six-game winning streak.
Countdowns to 1,000
TCU needs 12 victories to reach 1,000 all-time wins, while junior guard Corey Santee needs 89 points to become the 27th Frog ever to reach 1,000 career points.
Horned Frogs at Home
TCU has compiled a record of 348 wins and 202 losses (.633) in the 550 games at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum since 1961. Since the 1981-82 season, TCU's homecourt advantage has been even more pronounced, as the Horned Frogs have posted an overall home record of 231 wins and 82 losses (.738).
What's Going on Outside?
The $6 million Ed & Rae Schollmaier Basketball Practice Facility is currently being constructed southwest of Daniel-Meyer Coliseum on the grounds formerly occupied by the baseball stadium. TCU broke ground on the project in July of 2003, and the complex is expected to be finished in March of 2004. When completed, the 22,000-square-foot complex will feature office space for both coaching staffs, two NCAA regulation practice courts, meeting rooms, weight room, a lobby and courtyard.
These Times, They are a Changin'
Due to the TCU-SMU football game at 2:00 p.m. in Dallas on Saturday, Nov. 29, TCU and Tulsa's men's basketball programs have agreed to move the basketball game time back one hour. The Horned Frogs and Golden Hurricane will now tip off at 8:05 p.m. (CT) on Saturday, Nov. 29.
For Starters
TCU has won 22 consecutive home openers dating back to the 1981-82 season. Two of those victories came against Texas-Arlington: a 76-73 decision in 1982 and a 75-61 triumph the following year. In addition, the Horned Frogs have won three straight season openers. The last time TCU started 0-1 was the 1999-2000 season after a 91-83 loss to California.
New Horned Frogs on Display
Six TCU players are expected to make their official Horned Frog debuts in tonight's game. The following players should see their first game time: junior guard Marcus Shropshire, junior forward Aaron Curtis, freshman guard Neil P. Dougherty, freshman forward Blake Adams, freshman forward Art Pierce and freshman center Femi Ibikunle.
Getting Comfortable
Head coach Neil Dougherty is entering his second year as head coach at TCU and overall. Among Dougherty's legendary coaching mentors are Roy Williams (North Carolina) and Mike Krzyzewski (Duke). Williams entered the season 418-101 (.805) all-time as a head coach, while Krzyzewski was 637-227 (.737). Dougherty was an assistant coach under Williams at Kansas for seven years and was recruited by and played college ball for Coach K at Army.
Staying Close to Home
The TCU basketball staff has made an imprint in the Lone Star State. Of TCU's 14 players on this year's roster, 11 hail from the state of Texas, which is up from six just last year. Of the eight players that the Horned Frogs have signed since Dougherty's arrival, seven hail from the Lone Star State.
New Signees
TCU Head Coach Neil Dougherty has announced that the Horned Frog men's basketball program has secured the talents of a pair of high school standouts from the state of Texas for the 2004-05 season. Brent Hackett, a 6-3, 185-pound guard from Fort Worth (Southwest H.S.), and Neiman Owens, a 6-4, 180-pound guard from Channelview (Channelview H.S.), signed during the early period. Hackett, who can play both guard positions, was rated as the No. 13 prospect in Texas by Mike Kunstadt of the Texas Basketball Review. As a junior, he averaged 26.5 points, 8.5 assists and 4.3 steals per game for the Raiders. The state's third-leading scorer in Class 4A, Hackett was named second-team all-area by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Owens averaged 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists per game as a junior for the Channelview Falcons. The combo-guard was widely-regarded as one of Texas' top 20 prospects as a junior. In addition, Owens is currently rated 30th nationally among all shooting guards by Hoopmasters.com. At the 2003 adidas ABCD Camp, he was rated as the fifth-best high school shooting guard.
Where Have I Heard That Name Before?
Neil Dougherty is now coaching his son, Neil P. Dougherty, who is a freshman guard for the Horned Frogs. It is just the second father-son, coach-player duo in Conference USA history. The only other father-son duo in league history was when former Memphis coach Larry Finch, who coached his son, Larry Finch, Jr., from 1995-97.
Is There a Second?
Since the 2000-01 season, only Corey Santee has started a season opener as a true freshman. Santee was the starting point guard against Northwestern State on Nov. 16, 2001.
Now Starting...
The TCU Horned Frogs have seven players on the team's roster who have started games at the Division I level. Corey Santee (50 starts) leads the way. He is followed by Corey Valsin (45) Ronald Hobbs (21), Nucleus Smith (11), Chudi Chinweze (11), Marcus Shropshire (10) and Marcus Sloan (10). All of Hobbs' and Shropshire's starts came as members of the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
