TCU has six games remaining on its Big 12 schedule, and there is very little margin for error as the school plays at UCF on Tuesday night in Orlando, Fla.
The Horned Frogs (16-9, 6-6 Big 12) are tied with the Knights (17-7, 6-6) for eighth in the conference. The season has been strong for the league, with Arizona ranked No. 1 for much of the season and Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Texas Tech and BYU all taking turns inside the top 10 at different points.
Boosted by top-10 wins over Florida and Iowa State, TCU has won three straight games after a rough stretch where it went 2-6, including a tough loss to last-place Utah (1-11 Big 12).
Currently, CBS Bracketology lists coach Jamie Dixon’s team in the “Last Four In” category, while UCF grids as a No. 10 seed.
In its last outing Saturday, TCU swept the season series from Oklahoma State, never trailing but needing overtime for a 95-92 win behind David Punch’s 19 points and Xavier Edmonds’ double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds).
Micah Robinson was inserted into the starting lineup Tuesday against No. 5 Iowa State, played 29 minutes and responded with 17 points and five boards in the 62-55 upset.
“It definitely means a lot,” said Robinson, who has seen his minutes increase. “It shows the trust of the coaching staff and my teammates have in me. It meant a lot to be able to come out there and compete.”
Mired in a three-game losing streak, including losses to unranked Cincinnati and West Virginia, UCF has only one remaining game against a ranked team — at No. 23 BYU next Tuesday.
In the three setbacks, the Orlando school has been outscored by 26 points in the second half.
“We just have to understand that you have to play for a full 40 (minutes) and you can’t have any let-ups on either side of the basketball,” Knights coach Johnny Dawkins said. “It was disappointing to see us not stay completely focused the entire time. I know that can be a challenge, but that’s the nature of this sport.”
Point guard Themus Fulks (13.5 points per game) totaled 19 points, seven assists and four rebounds against West Virginia, but also committed six of UCF’s 13 turnovers before fouling out.
Riley Kugel leads the Knights with 14.3 points, while Jamichael Stillwell averages 12.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals.
