Hapless Tigers challenge high-flying Frogs

Dec 29, 2014 - 3:30 PM Forth Worth, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - The TCU Horned Frogs carry on with their six-game homestand on Monday, as they host the Tennessee State Tigers in the first-ever meeting between these non-conference opponents.

One of only a handful of undefeated teams still at the Division I level, the Horned Frogs have had an easy time of it in the early going, but Big 12 Conference play is ready to begin just after the new year so they need to build a strong resume' now. Last Monday, the program hosted Grambling State and had little trouble taking out the Tigers by a score of 80-39, marking the fewest points allowed by the Frogs this season.

As for the Tigers, this game marks the end of a six-game trek that has turned out nothing but defeats. In fact, Tennessee State has just two wins in 13 opportunities, and both of those came against opponents outside of the D-I ranks in Reinhardt (97-66) and Fisk (75-60) at home during the first week of the campaign.

More recently the Tigers were pitted against in-state rival Tennessee on Saturday night and were treated to a 67-46 setback by the Volunteers. The losing streak for TSU now stands at 10 in a row.

Tennessee State barely stood a chance against the Vols two nights ago in Knoxville, as the visitors had almost as many turnovers (16) as field goals (17), and made just 1-of-5 shots at the free-throw line, yet still posed a threat given that they knocked down an impressive 11-of-23 behind the 3-point line. Marcus Roper and Jay Harris were the lone double-digit scorers for the Tigers with 16 and 15 points, respectively.

Harris, who was leading the team in scoring prior to the Tennessee matchup with his 11.1 ppg, went above and beyond versus the Volunteers, but still this is a program that is scoring below 60 ppg yet giving up close to 70 ppg. Roper is still the only other double-digit performer on the roster with his 11.4 ppg, but having him on the floor is not always a positive experience seeing as he has committed about five times as many turnovers as he has assists.

Grambling State led by a bucket in the early stages versus the Horned Frogs, but then the hosts went to work and held the visitors to a mere five field goals and a total of 19 points through the first 20 minutes of action. The Tigers finished the contest shooting a paltry 23.9 percent from the field and were guilty of 21 turnovers, against only 11 field goals. Offensively, TCU was paced by Kyan Anderson with 17 points and Chauncey Collins 13 off the bench, as the latter connected on all four of his 3-point attempts.

Anderson has led the Frogs in scoring in half of their 12 outings, and continues to be the only player in double figures entering the week with 13.2 ppg based on 48.0 percent shooting from the floor. He has also knocked down 90.7 percent of his chances at the free-throw line and dealt out 53 assists. TCU has been one of the best defensive teams in the nation, limiting foes to just 34.1 percent shooting from the field and 54.3 ppg.