How TCU Horned Frogs Basketball Can Dominate the Upcoming Season

As I sit here watching game tapes from last season, I can't help but feel both excited and concerned about the TCU Horned Frogs' upcoming basketball season. Having followed college basketball for over fifteen years and analyzed countless team dynamics, I've developed a pretty good sense of what separates contenders from pretenders. Last season, the Horned Frogs showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately fell short of their potential, and if we're being honest, that's the most frustrating kind of team to watch.

I keep coming back to that revealing quote from Gumabao that perfectly encapsulates their struggles: "Kahit naman kami sa sarili namin, alam naman namin kulang. Ang dami naming games this season na alam namin kaya namin, na napapakawalan namin. Ang dami nang moments na dapat alam naming mature kami pero kami pa yung magkakamali so kulang pa talaga." This honest assessment points directly to the mental and maturity issues that plagued TCU throughout last season. They lost at least 6 games that they absolutely should have won based on talent alone - that's the difference between a mediocre season and competing for the Big 12 championship.

What really struck me about Gumabao's comments is how they highlight the gap between knowing what to do and actually executing under pressure. I've seen this pattern before with developing programs - the players understand the X's and O's, they have the physical tools, but when the game is on the line, they make crucial mental errors. Remember that Baylor game where they committed 18 turnovers? Or the Kansas matchup where they blew a 12-point lead in the final eight minutes? These weren't cases of being outmatched physically - they were failures of composure and game management.

The good news is that maturity can be developed faster than raw talent, and that's where I believe TCU has the biggest opportunity for improvement. Having covered their offseason activities, I'm encouraged by reports of players organizing additional film sessions and spending extra time working on late-game situations. This self-awareness is the first step toward growth. I'm particularly impressed with how the returning players have taken ownership of last season's shortcomings rather than making excuses.

From a tactical perspective, TCU needs to address their offensive consistency. Last season, they averaged 74.3 points per game but had wild fluctuations in shooting percentage - some nights they'd shoot 48% from the field, other nights they'd struggle to hit 38%. This inconsistency stems from what I call "hero ball" mentality - players trying to do too much individually when the offense stagnates. What they need is better ball movement and more disciplined shot selection, especially in crucial moments.

Defensively, the Horned Frogs have the athletes to be exceptional, but they need to improve their communication and help defense principles. I counted at least 15 instances last season where miscommunication on defensive switches led to wide-open three-pointers for opponents. These are correctable errors, but they require the kind of focus and discipline that Gumabao acknowledged was lacking.

The schedule this season presents both challenges and opportunities. With 8 non-conference games before Big 12 play begins, TCU has ample opportunity to build confidence and develop the mental toughness they'll need for conference competition. I'd like to see them use these early games to work on closing out tight contests - something they struggled with dramatically last season.

Player development will be crucial, particularly for their returning guards who need to improve decision-making under pressure. Mike Miles showed flashes of brilliance last season, averaging 15.6 points per game, but his 2.8 turnovers per game were problematic in close contests. If he can improve his assist-to-turnover ratio from 1.4 to somewhere around 2.0, that alone could translate to 2-3 additional wins.

What excites me most about this TCU team is their potential for defensive excellence. With their length and athleticism, they have all the tools to become a top-30 defensive team nationally. Last season, they held opponents to 41.2% shooting - respectable but not elite. With improved communication and more consistent effort, I believe they can push that number below 40% this season.

The Big 12 remains one of the toughest conferences in college basketball, but that's actually a good thing for TCU's development. Night-in, night-out competition against quality opponents forces teams to grow up quickly. Last season's struggles, while frustrating, provided valuable learning experiences that should pay dividends this year.

As someone who's watched countless teams make the leap from good to great, I believe TCU has all the ingredients for a breakthrough season. The key will be translating their physical talent into consistent, intelligent basketball. If they can develop the mental toughness and maturity that Gumabao referenced, there's no reason they can't compete for a top-4 finish in the Big 12 and make some noise in March. The foundation is there - now it's about building upon last season's hard lessons rather than repeating them.