After a breakthrough 2017-2018 campaign that saw TCU post a 21-12 mark and make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1998, head coach Jamie Dixon is confident his squad can break into the top tier of the Big 12 conference.

“We have made some progress for sure, but the past two years, we’ve left some games on the table we thought we should have won,” Dixon said. “So, we definitely want more this year, but we’ve got a lot of work that we need to do also.”

The Horned Frogs’ overall level of talent continues to improve and with four returners who averaged double figures a year ago, that veteran leadership could see a step forward after a 9-9 conference record last season. The biggest key is the return of junior combo guard Jaylen Fisher who was averaging over a dozen points per game and shooting 44 percent from 3-point range before a knee injury in January cut his season short. Fisher had a second knee surgery in September but is expected to be back in time for the team’s season opener.

Combo guard Desmond Bane, the team’s top returning scorer at 12.5 points per game, is back to team with Fisher and gives TCU a tremendous two-way talent on the wing. Veteran guard Alex Robinson returns for his senior year and will be the true point guard in a three-guard set.

“Alex has played a lot of minutes, he’s a guy we are counting on,” Dixon said.

The Frogs have some punch off the bench as well with redshirt freshman R.J. Nembhard and talented true freshman Kendric Davis in the fold.

The frontcourt suffered some key losses to graduation, most notably leading scorer Vladamir Brodziansky and do-it-all forward Kenrich Williams, so expect TCU to lean heavily on J.D. Miller, who averaged almost eight points per game in 24 starts as a junior.

Kouat Noi was a revelation a year ago, as the true freshman from Australia averaged 10 points per game and shot 43 percent from 3-point range primarily off the bench a year ago. Noi at 6-foot-7 will be a vital cog off the bench and is an instant spark on both ends of the court. Expect true freshman Kaden Archie to compete for minutes right away. The recruit led Midlothian High School to the 5A state tournament a year ago.

TCU’s biggest recruiting coup came in the form of landing the No. 1 JUCO recruit in the country in Yuat Alok, a New Zealander by way of Chipola College in Florida. Alok at 6-foot-11 brings excellent size and the ability to protect the rim to the table. But Coach Dixon raved about his offensive ability as well when discussing Alok once he signed with TCU. If Alok can become a true threat on the offensive side of the ball, he brings a new dimension to TCU as the Horned Frogs struggled to score when the 3-ball wasn’t dropping, particularly in the NCAA loss to Syracuse. Expect another true freshman in Angus McWilliam to compete with true freshman Russell Barlow for backup center minutes.

In year three back at his alma mater, Jamie Dixon has TCU’s arrow pointed way up and with a bulked up non-conference slate. The Horned Frogs could be primed to take another big leap forward in 2018-2019 if the pieces fall in place.

Team Profile: 

Preseason MVP:
Jaylen Fisher is the engine that makes the TCU offense go. After his injury, TCU’s offense was hit or miss at times because he brings consistency and the ability to create his own shot to the backcourt.

The Ceiling:
The non-conference slate is improved so don’t expect TCU to get off to the start they had a year ago. The Big 12, although good, won’t be quite as deep 1-12. Look for a best case scenario of 25 wins and TCU being a Sweet 16 type team if everything breaks right.

The Floor:
It will be a major surprise if TCU isn’t in the post-season, but injuries or a run of inconsistent play in one of the toughest conferences in the nation could relegate TCU to the NIT Tournament. A 4-8 stretch from late December to early February nearly cost the Frogs a year ago.

Game of the Year:
(Not yet scheduled) vs. Kansas: TCU has played Kansas tough the past two years and a win at home is a potential major seed boost come March.

Starting Five:

• G: Alex Robinson Sr., 6’1, Fort Worth, TX
• G: Jaylen Fisher, Jr., 6’2, Arlington, TN
• G: Desmond Bane, Jr., 6’5, Richmond, IN
• F: J.D. Miller, Sr., 6’8, Dallas, TX
• C: Yuat Alok, Jr., 6’11, Auckland, New Zealand

Impact First Year Player:
Yuat Alok, Jr., C from Chipola College