OFFICIAL GAME 5: SMU vs. TCU THREAD

[Harry0569]

Jon Rothstein ‏@JonRothstein 32m32 minutes ago
SMU's Nic Moore (finger) will be a game-time decision for tonight's game at TCU, source told @CBSSports.

[Pony ^]

I feel like a broken finger would be a season long injury if he doesn't take 4-6 weeks off?

[photopony]

Is it a given that tickets will be available at the door? They're all gone on the various ticket websites.

[Grant Carter]

When I called their ticket office he said he did not think there would be a problem at all.

[skyscraper]

They only sell tix at the door since they're at the HS gym for a handful of games.
They didn't sell anything online. The only thing on StubHub were TCU season tix holders tix.

[Balatro Diabolus Ex]

TCU is 3-2 this year with losses to South Dakota State and Rhode Island. The losses look weak on the surface, but both those teams were picked to win their respective conferences, so they aren't complete slouches. The frogs also have a win over Illinois State, and after watching ISU play Kentucky a very competitive game on monday night (game was tied at the half, and Kentucky won by 8, their closest game of the year) that might be considered a pretty respectable win.

The frogs have just 1 starter back from last season, and 2 players who were expected to start this year are out with injuries, so they are leaning heavily on 2 highly recruited JC transfers. Vladimir Brodziansky is a 6'10" forward from Slovakia, who comes to Fort Worth by way of Pratt CC. In many ways he's a typical Euro big man, skinny as a rail and better when he's facing the basket, than when he posts up. He currently leads the frogs in points (13.4) and rebounds (7.4) per game and blocked shots (10). He has a nice stroke on his short range jumper, but his range is limited and he takes some ill-advised shots and occassionally forces things that aren't there. He will hoist up the occasional shot from 3 point range, but his accuracy is questionable from that distance (16.7%) particularly compared to his overall shooting percentage (.587). If he stuck to what he was good at, he'd be dangerous. Vlad is also a good free throw shooter (.857), but has the fewest free throw attempts of the frogs starters. If he took the ball strong to the basket more, he'd draw more contact and get to the foul line. He's just a sophomore in eligibility, so if TCU can keep him around he could be pretty good before he's done.

Malique Trent is another soph JC transfer, who came to TCU with lots of accolades, including NJCAA Freshman of the Year. He's a 6'2" shooting guard who doesnt have a great jump shot, but goes to the basket hard, most of his points will be in the paint on drives to the hoop or short pull up jumpers. He's second on the team in points and assists and leads the team in 3pt attempts but shoots a poor percentage (25%). This is a guy who can win a game for you, but also shoot you out of it. Fouling him as he goes to the basket isnt a bad strategy, as he can sometimes be a mediocre free throw shooter (66%)

Kaviar Shepherd is the only full time starter back from last year, and he is probably the most highly recruited player ever to sign with the frogs. A concensus top-50 player nationally, big things were expected from Shepherd, and he made a decent start averaging 9 points a game as a freshman. His sophomore season was a step backwards, though, and his current 10.6 points and 5.6 rebounds may be a solid contribution, but its not close to what many people expected of him.

Brandon Parrish is a 6'6" wing player who started the first 16 games last year before losing the starting job to Kenrich WIlliams. Parrish doesnt get to touch the ball as often as Trent or Vlad, but this is the player that should worry SMU, he's 13-18 (72%) from outside the arc. If given the chance, he looks like he could really light up a team with questionable defense on the perimeter. Parrish plays more minutes than Trent, but he's taken less than half as many shots as Trent. He is very efficient with his offense, and the frogs need him to look for his shot more often, or maybe for Trent to share the ball a bit.

Chauncey Collins is a 6'0' soph who starts at PG for the frogs, he leads the team in assists, and is a very good free throw shooter at over 90%.

Two players who were expected to start this year, Chris Washburn and Kenrich Williams, are out with injuries, and no word on when they will return. This is a big hit for a rebuilding team, as both players were starting for most of last season and both were over 6'7", so the frogs lose alot of experience, size, and depth without them. WIlliams was the teams leading rebounder last year, and Washburn lead the frogs in field goal percentage.

Micheal Williams, a 6'2" junior guard, is getting the most playing time for the frogs bench players, but he's averaging less than 4 points per game. Devonta Abron is a burly 6'8" transfer from Arkansas who gives TCU a physical presence in the lane, but he is the only backup TCU has for their post players. JD Miller, a 6'8" freshman who was highly rated by most of the recruiting services, also sees some time off the bench. Between them, Abron and Miller average 14 points and 8 rebounds a game. Thats pretty much the end, though, TCU goes with 8 players and has almost nothing after that.

The frogs have some nice pieces and a young team, and with Shepherd and Vlad both 6'10", they have some good size in the paint. They still need time for all the new players to gel, though, and if Williams and Mashburn dont return they will be short handed all year.

[JasonB]

I feel like a broken finger would be a season long injury if he doesn't take 4-6 weeks off?

It's the shoulder I think that has him questionable, not the finger.

[The Falcon]

TCU is 3-2 this year with losses to South Dakota State and Rhode Island. The losses look weak on the surface, but both those teams were picked to win their respective conferences, so they aren't complete slouches. The frogs also have a win over Illinois State, and after watching ISU play Kentucky a very competitive game on monday night (game was tied at the half, and Kentucky won by 8, their closest game of the year) that might be considered a pretty respectable win.

The frogs have just 1 starter back from last season, and 2 players who were expected to start this year are out with injuries, so they are leaning heavily on 2 highly recruited JC transfers. Vladimir Brodziansky is a 6'10" forward from Slovakia, who comes to Fort Worth by way of Pratt CC. In many ways he's a typical Euro big man, skinny as a rail and better when he's facing the basket, than when he posts up. He currently leads the frogs in points (13.4) and rebounds (7.4) per game and blocked shots (10). He has a nice stroke on his short range jumper, but his range is limited and he takes some ill-advised shots and occassionally forces things that aren't there. He will hoist up the occasional shot from 3 point range, but his accuracy is questionable from that distance (16.7%) particularly compared to his overall shooting percentage (.587). If he stuck to what he was good at, he'd be dangerous. Vlad is also a good free throw shooter (.857), but has the fewest free throw attempts of the frogs starters. If he took the ball strong to the basket more, he'd draw more contact and get to the foul line. He's just a sophomore in eligibility, so if TCU can keep him around he could be pretty good before he's done.

Malique Trent is another soph JC transfer, who came to TCU with lots of accolades, including NJCAA Freshman of the Year. He's a 6'2" shooting guard who doesnt have a great jump shot, but goes to the basket hard, most of his points will be in the paint on drives to the hoop or short pull up jumpers. He's second on the team in points and assists and leads the team in 3pt attempts but shoots a poor percentage (25%). This is a guy who can win a game for you, but also shoot you out of it. Fouling him as he goes to the basket isnt a bad strategy, as he can sometimes be a mediocre free throw shooter (66%)

Kaviar Shepherd is the only full time starter back from last year, and he is probably the most highly recruited player ever to sign with the frogs. A concensus top-50 player nationally, big things were expected from Shepherd, and he made a decent start averaging 9 points a game as a freshman. His sophomore season was a step backwards, though, and his current 10.6 points and 5.6 rebounds may be a solid contribution, but its not close to what many people expected of him.

Brandon Parrish is a 6'6" wing player who started the first 16 games last year before losing the starting job to Kenrich WIlliams. Parrish doesnt get to touch the ball as often as Trent or Vlad, but this is the player that should worry SMU, he's 13-18 (72%) from outside the arc. If given the chance, he looks like he could really light up a team with questionable defense on the perimeter. Parrish plays more minutes than Trent, but he's taken less than half as many shots as Trent. He is very efficient with his offense, and the frogs need him to look for his shot more often, or maybe for Trent to share the ball a bit.

Chauncey Collins is a 6'0' soph who starts at PG for the frogs, he leads the team in assists, and is a very good free throw shooter at over 90%.

Two players who were expected to start this year, Chris Washburn and Kenrich Williams, are out with injuries, and no word on when they will return. This is a big hit for a rebuilding team, as both players were starting for most of last season and both were over 6'7", so the frogs lose alot of experience, size, and depth without them. WIlliams was the teams leading rebounder last year, and Washburn lead the frogs in field goal percentage.

Micheal Williams, a 6'2" junior guard, is getting the most playing time for the frogs bench players, but he's averaging less than 4 points per game. Devonta Abron is a burly 6'8" transfer from Arkansas who gives TCU a physical presence in the lane, but he is the only backup TCU has for their post players. JD Miller, a 6'8" freshman who was highly rated by most of the recruiting services, also sees some time off the bench. Between them, Abron and Miller average 14 points and 8 rebounds a game. Thats pretty much the end, though, TCU goes with 8 players and has almost nothing after that.

The frogs have some nice pieces and a young team, and with Shepherd and Vlad both 6'10", they have some good size in the paint. They still need time for all the new players to gel, though, and if Williams and Mashburn dont return they will be short handed all year.

Balatro - after reading your scouting report I am a little worried about this game. It is sort of a
trap game (if it were not the Frogs.) Cold night in Ft. Worth, high school gym, TCU rebuilding,
SMU ranked, Nic a game time decision, Ben M having missed a game and not playing well in the
preceding one. I hope our talented frosh plus Jordan & Markus & Keith have a great game. We
are going to need it. Game time in 45 minutes and I am getting up for it.

[smupony94]

[RGV Pony]

This place makes the Culwell center look like a palace

[shadowman]

Where is everyone at!

[RGV Pony]

The parking lot is... Sparse.. As well

[shadowman]

The parking lot is... Sparse.. As well

Damn, wish I would have made the trip, I foolishly believed that parking, ticketing, and seating would be a hassle not worth it on a work night. Should have known them froggie fans would stay at home.

Cheer loud for us!

[Grant Carter]

[smupony94]

The starting 5 for tonight: 3- Sterling Brown 4- Keith Frazier 5- Markus Kennedy 11- Nic Moore 23- Jordan Tolbert