Nov. 27, 2007
Game Notes - Texas Tech in PDF Format
Game Day Information
Opponent: The TCU men's basketball program will take to the road for the first time this season as the Horned Frogs travel to Lubbock for a match-up against Texas Tech at the United Spirit Arena on Wednesday for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.
Radio: Fox Sports Radio (1460 AM) in Dallas/Fort Worth
Brian Estridge (play-by-play) and John Denton (analyst) will call the game on the TCU/ISP Sports Network. The game can also be heard online at www.GoFrogs.com and viewed on the TCU Athletics website via GameTracker.
Television: The game between the Frogs and Red Raiders can be seen on KFWD (Channel 52) starting at 7:00 p.m.
Next on the Schedule: The Frogs will return to the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum on Sunday (Dec. 2) when the Frogs welcome the University of Oklahoma for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off. The game can be seen on CSTV as well as heard over the airwaves on KTCU (88.7 FM) and ESPN?Radio (103.3 FM). The contest between the Frogs and Sooners can be heard online at GoFrogs.com via Yahoo Sports and viewed through GameTracker.
Frogs Remain Dominant over Southwestern Athletic Conference
• The Frogs have had a lot of success over members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference over the last few decades as the Purple and White have recorded a 20-1 overall record against the conference. The last loss for TCU versus a member of the SWAC came against Texas Southern on December 29, 1988, when the Tigers recorded a 103-78 victory at the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. This season, the Frogs have posted victories over Arkansas-POine Bluff (75-61) and Grambling State (99-67) as well as trio of upcoming contests against the SWAC.
The Big Score
• The Frogs have scored 339 points through the first four games - averaging 84.8 points per evening - which is the most points scored in the opening four games since the 2001-02 season when the Purple and White opened up the campaign with 365 points - an average of 91.3 points per game.
• The Purple and White currently lead the Mountain West Conference in scoring offense with an average of 84.8 points per game while BYU?(83.7 P-G) and New Mexico (81.7) are the only other programs averaging over 80.0 points per game.
Four in a Row - That's a Winning Streak
• With a victory against Grambling State, the Frogs improved their record to 4-0 for first time in Dougherty's six seasons at the helm. This is the first time since the 1997-98 season that the Frogs have started the season with a 4-0 record and the fifth time that this has happened for TCU in the last 25 seasons.
Statement Time in the Mountain West Conference
• In the 2007-08 pre-season rankings for the Mountain West Conference - the Frogs were predicted to finish seventh overall with a total of 58 points, holding advantages over the Air Force Academy (54 points)?and Colorado State (33 points).
• The Mountain West Conference has had a strong first two weeks of the season as all nine teams have posted at least two wins and notched at least a .500 winning percentage.
• Teams in the Mountain West Conference have combined for an overall record of 36-11 (76.6 winning percentage). The Frogs along with New Mexico are the only two undefeated teams in the MWC with the Lobos sitting at 6-0 while TCU stands at 4-0. BYU, San Diego State and UNLV all have notched one loss this season.
Frogs Dominate Tigers, 99-67; Maintain Perfect Record
• The Frogs improved to 4-0 on the season for the first time under head men's basketball coach Neil Dougherty with a 99-67 victory over SWAC-opponent Grambling State on Wednesday (Nov. 21) at the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.
• The Purple and White were never in danger during the contest with the Tigers as TCU took the lead following the opening tip and never gave it up. The Frogs took a 10-point advantage at 18-8 with 12:53 remaining in the game and maintained the double-digit advantage throughout the remainder of the contest.
• Brent Hackett and Henry Salter each finished with 23 points in the contest and became the first set of teammates to both score 20 points in a game since Hackett and Kevin Langford reached that feat on February 3, 2007 against Utah - a span of 13 games.
• Hackett finished 8-of-15 from the field - including a career-high six three-pointers - to go along with two rebounds and one assist in 19 minutes of action. It was the second straight game that Hackett finished with more points than minutes played as he notched 18 points in 16 minutes of action against Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Nov. 17).
• Salter connected on 9-of-18 field goal attempts - including a trio of three-pointers - to go along with seven rebounds and one assist in 22 minutes of action. It was the fourth straight game that Salter has recorded a double-digit scoring performance - the only Frog to reach that feat this season.
• John Ortiz nearly missed out on his career double-double as he finished with nine points and nine rebounds in the game in 17 minutes of action.
• The Frogs finished the game with 50 rebounds - which was the third time in four games that TCU has collected at least 50 boards in a game. The Frogs came into the contest ranked ninth in the nation in rebounds per game with a 49.8 board per evening mark.
• The Purple and White notched their lowest turnover total of the season as the Tigers were only able to force the Frogs into seven miscues. The Frogs out-scored Grambling State by a 16-2 margin in points off of turnovers.
• Every Frog that saw action against the Tigers scored at least one point with Daniel Ford and Nick Metzger each collecting their first collegiate points in the game. Ford finished with two points while Metzger notched one point after a 1-of-2 performance at the line.
Frog Defense Standing Tall
• The TCU football team is known for having a strong defense under Gary Patterson, but now the Frog basketball team is making their own identity as a defensive force.
• In four games, the Frogs have limited opponents to a combined 36.4 percent (86-of-236) shooting performance and 28.6 percent (20-of-70) from behind the three-point arc.
• Since the 1960-61 season, the Frogs have never held opponents to a shooting percentage lower than .400 - their lowest field goal defense came during the 1985-86 season when opponents shot 41.5 percent from the field.
• The Frogs have forced opponents into 86 turnovers (21.5 turnovers per game) where they have scored 98 points off of the miscues of their foes - an average of 24.5 points.
• The Frogs have held three of their four foes to under 70 points in a game this season.
The Glass Cleaners
• Alvardo Parker and Luke Tauscher became the first set of teammates since Neil Dougherty's first season to each record a double-digit rebounding performance in the same game - a span of 131 games. The last set of Frogs to record double-digit rebounds came against UAB on Feb. 18, 2003, in Chudi Chinweze (13) and Bingo Merriex (11).
Scouting the Opponents - Texas Tech University
• This will be the 115th meeting between the Frogs and Red Raiders with Texas Tech holding a 70-44 all-time advantage over the Purple and White. In the last 10 meetings, TCU and Texas Tech have split the series records at 5-5, but the Red Raiders have won five of the last six match-ups against the Frogs.
• The Red Raiders will come into the game with a 4-2 overall record, including winners of three of their last four games. Texas Tech recently recorded a 2-1 overall record at the Great Alaska Shootout, including a 73-63 victory over nationally-ranked Gonzaga.
• The head coach of the Red Raiders does not need an introduction to anybody as Bobby Knight - college basketball's all-time leader in career wins begins his seventh season as the leader of Texas Tech. In his previous six seasons at the helm, Knight has notched a 130-76 overall record for the Red Raiders, including a post-season appearance in almost every season that he has coached in Lubbock.
• Senior Zeno Martin was selected as a top-50 preseason candidate for the Wooden Award - which is given to the top collegiate basketball player in the nation. This season, Martin is averaging 14.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game while connecting on 46.4 percent of his field goal attempts.
• Alan Voskuil has enjoyed an outstanding season as the TTU junior has connected on 60.9 percent (28-of-46) of his field goal attempts, including an oustanding 70.8 percent (17-of-24) of his three-point field goal attempts. Voskuil has connected on 14 of his last 18 three-point field goal attempts.
• John Roberson is one of three Red Raiders to average double figures this season as the freshman guard has collected 11.3 points per game. He is also tied for the team lead with 19 assists while starting in four games.
• Texas Tech entered the 2007-08 season ranked 61st in The College Basketball News' RPI Report - which was fourth highest among all Big XII?Conference programs. This will be the highest ranking team that the Frogs have played thus far during the 2007-08 campaign.
• This will be the fourth game in seven days for the Red Raiders as they return to Lubbock after a holiday tournament in Anchorage, Alaska, where they competed against Alaska-Anchorage, Gonzaga and Butler.
• The biggest strength of the Red Raiders comes in their ability to shoot the basketball as Texas Tech has connected on 47.7 percent (143-of-300) of their field goal attempts, 40.7 percent (35-of-86) of their three-point field goal attempts and 70.5 percent (79-of-112) of their free throw attempts.
• Texas Tech will be the first of three teams from the Big XII Conference that the Frogs will play this season as TCU is set to play Oklahoma on Sunday (Dec. 2) followed by a game against Texas to open the new year.
Frogs Closing in on 400th Victory at the DMC
• With their fourth straight victory at the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum, the Frogs have recorded their 390th triumph inside of the DMC since its' opening on December 18, 1961.
Charity Stripe Blues
• One of the areas still in need of improvement for the Frogs comes at the free throw line where TCU has connected on 59.7 percent (71-of-119) free throw attempts compared to 66.3 percent (55-of-83) attempts from the charity stripe for opponents. On average - the Frogs are leaving 12.0 points per evening at the charity stripe.
Always Be Ready to Play
• In TCU head men's basketball coach Neil Dougherty's system, every player has to be ready to play at any time. This season, all 14 players that have suited up in the Purple and White have played. During the 2006-07 campaign - that feat wasn't reached until the 24th game on the road at Colorado State.
Home-Grown Talent Pays Dividends for Horned Frogs
• The Horned Frogs will get plenty of scoring from a trio of home-grown talents in Brent Hackett (Southwest H.S.), Kevin Langford (North Crowley H.S.) and Luke Tauscher (Southwest H.S.).
• Hackett was the first player that Neil Dougherty signed from the Dallas/Fort Worth Area when he became head men's basketball coach at TCU. Langford also had ties with Dougherty as his brother, Keith, was a recruited and coached by Dougherty at the University of Kansas.
• The Fort Worth duo are ranked first and third on the squad in scoring as Hackett is averaging 15.8 points per game - ranked sixth in the Mountain West Conference - while Langford has notched 11.3 points per evening.
• Langford and Hackett recorded their best years last season for the Horned Frogs as both players were selected as honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference award winners. The pair recorded 734 total points (Langford - 397 / Hackett - 337) and accounted for 38.8 percent of all the scoring for the Horned Frogs.
• The Frogs are also excited about another Fort Worth talent in Luke Tauscher - who begins his first season with the program after sitting out last season due to a red-shirt campaign. The 6-11 center - who is also the tallest member of the TCU squad - has averages 5.0 boards per game while chipping into the offensive attack with a 3.8 scoring average.
A Team Filled with Mr. Cleans
• This season, the Frogs are averaging 49.8 rebounds per game - which ties them for second in the country in that category along with Connecticut. The Purple and White are ranked second in the State of Texas in boards per game as Texas State has secured the top spot with a 50.4 boards aveage.
• The Frogs have collected at least 50 rebounds in three of their four games this season and currently sit at the top of the Mountain West Conference in four rebounding categories, including rebounds per game (49.8 R-G), rebounding margin (+12.8), offensive rebounds per game (19.25 OR-G) and defensive rebounds per game (30.5 DR-G). The Frogs also hold the top rebounding performance this season in the Mountain West Conference with a 59-board evening against Rice (Nov. 13).
The "Langford" Road Home
• Kevin Langford is still looking to find his shooting touch, but that hasn't stopped the Fort Worth native from racking up the points on the scoreboard as he is ranked third on the team with an 11.3 points per game average. In the last two games, Langford has averaged 15.0 points per game after a 16-point evening against Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Nov. 17) and 14 points versus Grambling State (Nov. 21).
• An honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference selection in his first season with the program, the TCU forward was selected by CBS Sportsline as a pre-season second team award winner for the Mountain West Conference.
The Hackett Man
• For the first time in his career, TCU?senior Brent Hackett had the opportunity to work out with the Frogs this off-season as part of their strength and conditioning program. The hard work paid off for Hackett as he is the top scorer with a 15.8 scoring average - which is sixth in the Mountain West Conference.
• During his first three years - Hackett has appeared in 96 games and has earned a spot in the starting lineup on 62 occasions, missing only four starts in the last two seasons (two of those non-starting games coming on Senior Night).
• Hackett has been one of the top scorers for the Frogs over the last three seasons as he has recorded 10 or more points in 39 career games - 3 (Senior) / 18 (Junior) / 18 (Sophomore)
• After a 23-point evening against Grambling State, Hackett recently surpassed the 800-point milestone as he currently stands at 917 career points. This season, Hackett has recorded 15 or more points in three of the Frogs' four games and currently leads the Mountain West Conference in three-point field goals made per game with a 4.0 average.
Welcome to the Parker's
• TCU head men's basketball coach Neil Dougherty was expecting BIG things from forward Alvardo Parker, and after the first two games of the season, he was not disappointed. Parker recorded his second career double-double with a 10-point, 11-rebound performance against Rice (Nov. 13) and is ranked third in the conference with a 7.5 rebounding average.
• Parker is ranked second in the Mountain West Conference in field goal percentage (71.4% / 20-of-28) with all of his field goal attempts coming in the paint this season. The TCU senior is ranked first in the conference in both blocked shots (1.75 B-G) and offensive rebounds per game (3.5 OR-G).
• With 67 career blocks under his belt, Parker only needs two more swats to move in the top-10 in the career record books for blocked shots.
• This is only the fourth year of organized basketball for the Turks & Caicos Islands' native as he spent his first two seasons at Frank Phillips Junior College followed by his TCU?career.
Never Shy Away from the National Spotlight
• TCU head men's basketball coach Neil Doughery is not one to shy away from a nationally-ranked opponent as the Frogs have competed against 16 squads ranked in the top-25 during his tenure. To put the numbers into perspective - TCU only played 19 nationally-ranked teams during the entire decade of the 1990s - a span of 303 games.
• The Frogs has recorded four victories over nationally-ranked opponents during Dougherty's tenure with their latest victim coming against 14th-ranked Air Force Academy where TCU notched a 71-66 win in February of 2007.
• TCU is 12-88 (.120) all-time against nationally-ranked teams and has dropped 15 of its last 17 match-ups against teams ranked in the top-25. The victory over the Falcons snapped a six-game skid against ranked opponents.
• The Frogs haven't had much success against nationally-ranked opponents on the road as they have dropped 47 of 48 match-ups when away from the DMC. Their lone victory came against Hawaii (83-79) on January 19, 1998.
Frogs Adding a Little Salter to Their Diet
• TCU newcomer Henry Salter has made a tremendous impact on the Frogs' lineup in his first season with the program as he is the only member of the Purple and White to recorded a double-digit scoring performance in all four games.
• Salter is ranked sixth in the Mountain West Conference in scoring average (14.5 P-G) and tied for eighth in rebounds per game (6.3 R-G) and is only one of three players in the conference to be ranked in the top-10 in the conference joining Trent Plaisted (BYU) and Brad Jones (Wyoming).
• The TCU junior is ranked second on the team in scoring average and has been a force on the boards as well as Salter has collected seven rebounds in three of four games this season.
• Salter was a NJCAA All-American third team member last season after finishing fourth in the country in scoring at 24.6 points per game. He was the only player in the country to rank in the top-10 in both scoring and rebounding as he finished sixth with an 11.8 boards per evening.
Standing "O" for Ortiz
• TCU newcomer John Ortiz has helped the Frogs off of the bench where the low post standout is averaging 6.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. He has done a tremendous job at getting to the free throw line where he is ranked second on the Frogs' squad in free throw made (13) and free throws attempts (24).
• Ortiz nearly recorded his first career double-double against Grambling State (Nov. 21) following a nine-point, nine-rebound performance and over the last two games, the TCU junior is averaging 9.0 points and 7.5 boards per game.
It's All About the Ebie, Baby!
• TCU? sophomore Jason Ebie has made a dramatic improvement from his freshman to his sophomore campaigns, and the Houston native will see plenty of court action this season at the point guard position. In his first four games, Ebie is averaging 3.3 points, 3.75 assists, 2.75 steals and 2.5 rebounds per game in 17.8 minutes of action a night.
• Ebie is ranked first in the Mountain West Conference in steals per game (2.75 S-G), third in assist-to-turnover ratio (5.0:1) and sixth in assists per game (3.75).
Neon Keion in Primetime
• One of the biggest additions to the Frogs' lineup will come in the return of sophomore Keion Mitchem, who appeared in the team's first 15 games of the 2006-07 season. The TCU guard is averaging 5.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while connecting on 36.8 percent of his shots - including 37.5 percent from behiind the three-point line.
• Mitchem is currently ranked 15th in the Mountain West Conference in three-point field goals made per game (1.5 3FGM-G) and has connected on one three-pointer in all four games this season.
Great Scott!
• The faithful of the Purple and White will quickly get to know the name of Mike Scott as the TCU?freshman could see a lot of playing time in his first season with the Frogs. Scott won the starting point guard position for the team's first four games where he notched a career-high nine points against Rice (Nov. 13).
• Even though he is only a freshman, Scott is not the youngest member of the squad by any stretch as the City of Brotherly Love native is 21-years-old. The TCU guard is averaging 4.5 points, 3.25 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
Awaking the Sleeping Giant
• The Frogs could be one of the sleeper teams in the Mountain West Conferece after they return four starters from a season ago, but coaches in the conference still predicted TCU to finish seventh out of nine teams by season's end.
• This season, the Frogs are ranked in the top three in 12th statistical categories - including first in scoring average (84.8 P-G) and rebounds per game (49.8 R-G) and second in steals per game (10.25 S-G) and blocked shots (4.0 B-G).
Close Encounters of the Trey Kind
• TCU has made at least one three-pointer in 286 consecutive games dating back to the 1997-98 season where the last time that the Frogs failed to connect on a trey came against LIU-Brooklyn on November 22, 1997. The Frogs have connected on at least one three-pointer in 513 of their last 514 games.
• Prior to the failed connection, TCU recorded a three-pointer in 217 straight games dating back to the 1989-90 season when the Longhorns of Texas stopped the Frogs on February 11, 1990.
Home Sweet Home
• The Frogs have posted a mark of 390-231 (.628) since Daniel-Meyer Coliseum opened during the 1961-62 campaign.
• Over the past decade, the Horned Frogs have recorded a 130-56 (.699) overall record and have won at least 10 games at home in seven of the last 10 seasons.
• The Frogs have won 13 of their last 20 games at the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum, including their last six games dating back to last season. The last loss for the Frogs at home came against BYU on February 10, 2007 where the Purple and White suffered an 85-72 setback to their conference opponent.
Finding Nemo
• Senior Neiman Owens is one of the most experienced players on the Frogs as the TCU guard has appeared in 97 career games and has started 60 contests during his career. Owens did not start against Angelo State in the season opener, which snapped his 60-game starting streak dating back to the 2005-06 season.
• Owens is closing in on some memorable milestones as he needs only three games to reach the century mark for his career and needs six points to reach the 400-poin level - currently he stands at 394 during his Frogs' career.
The Wall
• Even though TCU has only been a member of the Mountain West Conference, TCU senior Ryan Wall has been affiliated with the MWC for each of his five collegiate years. Wall was a member of the University of New Mexico's basketball team for two seasons (2003-04 and 2004-05) before transferring to TCU prior to the 2005-06 campaign. After red-shirting his first season, the Frog guard has appeared in 34 games while wearing the Purple and White.
• Wall has slowly been coming back from an off-season injury, but has played in his first four games of the season where he is averaging 4.0 points and 1.0 rebounds per game. The TCU senior has connected on 50.0 percent (5-of-10) of his field goal attempts, including 42.9 percent (3-of-7) from behind the three-point arc.
Cool Hand Luke
• The TCU coaching staff was anxious to see how red-shirt freshman Luke Tauscher would return to the lineup after missing last season due to injury. The 6-11 Fort Worth product hasn't disappointed anyone at the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum as the TCU newcomer recorded his first double-digit rebounding performance against Rice with 12 boards.
• The Frog freshman is ranked third in the Mountain West Conference in offensive rebounds per game (2.5 OR-G) and 11th in blocked shots per game (0.75 B-G) while chipping in with 3.8 points per game.
• Tauscher is mostly known for his ability down-low, but he showcased his shooting range against Angelo State as he connected on a three-pointer with 30 seconds remaining in the contest.
Family Ties
• Anyone affiliated with the TCU men's basketball program knows that Neil Dougherty presents a family environment for the Frogs. Once a member of the basketball program, you quickly become a member of the family.
• Dougherty had the opportunity to coach his son, Neil P., for four seasons, and now assistant coach, Sean Woods, will also have the same opportunity as his son, Martiese Morones, is a sophomore with the Frogs.
• Woods was a standout at the University of Kentucky where he was a member of the "Unforgettables" on the 1992 team that fell 104-103 to Duke in the NCAA Elite Eight in what is considered the greatest college basketball game of all-time. A member of the University of Kentucky Hall of Fame, Woods connected on the shot to give the Wildcats a 103-102 lead on the Blue Devils before Christian Laettner connected on the shot heard round the world.
The Scoring Frenzy
• Twice in the Frogs' first four games, every member of the TCU squad that saw action on the court scored at least one point in the game. That feat was reached twice all of last season against San Diego State (Jan. 31) and Air Force (Feb. 24). This season, the feat was reached against Angelo State (Nov. 10) and Grambling State (Nov. 21).
Welcome to the Program
• In the early signing period this past week, the Frogs signed a trio of players that will help the squad next season in Kevin Butler, Logan Lancon and James Blasczyk.
• A tremendous prospect from one of the top high school programs in the nation, Butler will bring great success to the Frogs' basketball program. He is ranked 16th in the State of Texas according to TexasHoops.com in the Class of 2008 after a stellar junior campaign, which was highlighted by earning MVP honors in the Texas State Championship Game.
• Lancon comes into the 2007-08 campaign as the 43rd top prospect according to TexasHoops.com. The newly-signed Frog averaged a team-high 11.3 points per game en route to earning first team All-District 24-5A honors.
• Blasczyk is listed as the 47th best prospect in the State of Texas according to TexasHoops.com after concluding a junior campaign where he averaged 8.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.0 blocked shots per game.
The Score
• Coming into the 2007-08 campaign, the Frogs will have plenty of options when it comes to putting the ball in the bucket as six of their top scorers from a season ago return to the lineup in Kevin Langford (13.2 P-G), Brent Hackett (11.2 P-G), Alvardo Parker (8.8 P-G), Neiman Owens (7.1 P-G), Ryan Wall (6.4 P-G) and Keion Mitchem (5.3 P-G). The returning scorers for the Frogs will return 1,507 total points from the 2006-07 season - equaling 79.6 percent of their scoring total from the 2006-07 campaign.
Bangin' the Boards
• The Frogs have been dominate on the glass this season as they are out-rebounding their opponents 199 to 148 - and hold a rebounding of +12.8 - which is currently at the top of the Mountain West Conference.
TCU Athletic Media Relations
