TopFrog
Lifelong Frog
http://gofrogs.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/121811aaa.html
Frogs Face USC Monday in Los Angeles
TCU looking for first three-game road winning streak since 1997-98
GAME #11 - TCU (7-3) at USC (4-7)
TCU GAME NOTES
// USC GAME NOTES
// LIVE AUDIO
// GAMETRACKER
GAME DAY INFORMATION
Monday, Dec. 19, 2011 // 9:30 p.m. CST // Los Angeles, Calif. // Galen Center (10,258)
Series Record: TCU leads, 1-0 // Last Meeting: Nov. 29, 2010 in Fort Worth (W, 81-69)
Radio: 820 AM/96.7 FM (WBAP), 88.7 FM (KTCU) // Talent: Brian Estridge, John Denton
Internet: GoFrogs.com (radio, GameTracker); USCTrojans.com (live video stream)
Television: None
TCU Head Coach: Jim Christian (Rhode Island, `88)
Record at TCU: 45-61 (.425) in 4th season // Overall: 183-119 (.606) in 10th season
USC Head Coach: Kevin O'Neill (McGill, `79)
Record at USC: 39-36 (.520) in 3rd season // Overall: 262-132 (.665) in 15th season
FORT WORTH--TCU returns to the road for its final non-conference game outside the DFW Metroplex on Monday, when it faces USC in Los Angeles. Tip-off from the Trojans' Galen Center is set for 9:30 p.m. CST.
TCU looks to start a new winning streak after seeing a string of four straight victories snapped Dec. 10 at home against Nebraska. The Horned Frogs are 3-2 away from Fort Worth this season, including 2-0 in true road games. A win against the Trojans would give the Frogs three road wins for the first time since the 1998-99 campaign and their first three-game road winning streak in the same season since 1997-98, when the squad won each of its final eight road contests.
USC is 4-7 following Saturday's home loss to Georgia (63-59).
Following Monday's matchup against USC, TCU returns home to wrap up its pre-holiday schedule with a Thursday night contest against Grambling State at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.
TCU and USC will be meeting for the second time in the all-time series. The Frogs won the first matchup last season in Fort Worth by an 81-69 count. The Trojans rebounded from the loss and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Fans also can follow the game live on the radio throughout the Metroplex on 820 AM/96.7 FM WBAP and 88.7 FM KTCU with Brian Estridge (play-by-play) and John Denton (analyst) serving as the play-by-play team. Links to both the live radio Internet feed and live stats will be available via TCU's official athletics website, GoFrogs.com.
In addition to the radio coverage, a live video stream for Monday's game will be made available via USC's official athletics website, USCTrojans.com, for a fee.
FROG QUICK NOTES
* TCU is 2-0 in true road games this season. A victory at USC would give the Frogs three non-conference road wins for the first time since 1998-99 (Providence, UTEP, SW Missouri State).
* A victory also would give TCU its first three-game road winning streak in a single season since 1997-98, when the squad won its final eight road contests.
* TCU's 7-3 start matches its best run to begin a season since an 8-2 mark in 2000-01.
* Six of TCU's seven wins have been by six points or fewer, including each of its wins vs. Division I opponents.
* TCU's RPI rating was No. 40 on Sunday according to RealTimeRPI.com, while its schedule was ranked as the nation's 18th-toughest to date.
* TCU has totaled 11 or more offensive rebounds in seven straight contests, the team's longest streak since 10 consecutive performances in 2005-06.
* TCU is forcing an average of 19.7 turnovers per game, 3.1 turnovers more than any other Mountain West team.
* TCU ranks second in the MW in offensive rebounding (12.10 rpg) and is third in turnover margin (+3.70).
* J.R. Cadot is No. 2 in the MW in offensive rebounds (3.30 rpg); No. 3 in total rebounds (7.8 rpg); No. 5 in steals (1.90 spg) and defensive rebounds (4.50 rpg); tied for No. 5 in blocked shots (0.80 bpg); No. 8 in minutes played (31.90 mpg); and No. 15 in scoring (11.5 ppg).
* Cadot is the only guard in MW, and the lone league player shorter than 6-8, averaging more than 5.8 rebounds this season. He has at least five boards in each contest.
* Cadot has scored in double figures seven times in 10 contests this season and 14 times in the last 19 games dating back to last February. He had only four such efforts in 25 career games prior to the current stretch.
* Hank Thorns is shooting 42.0% in the second half of games this season, compared to a first-half rate of only 26.2%. He is averaging 8.9 ppg in the second half and 4.2 ppg prior to intermission.
* Thorns, who has played only 42 games as a Frog, is just 52 assists shy of entering the team's career top-10 list (321).
* Thorns is No. 5 in the MW in assists (4.40 apg) and minutes played (33.00 mpg); No. 6 in steals (1.80 spg); No. 7 in scoring (13.5 ppg); and No. 8 in assist/turnover ratio (1.16).
SCOUTING THE USC TROJANS
USC, 4-7 this season under third-year head coach Kevin O'Neill, has dropped its last three games entering Monday's contest, including a 63-59 home matchup against Georgia in its most recent outing. Like TCU, the Trojans also fell at home to Nebraska this season, 64-61, in double overtime Nov. 14.
USC finished last season with a 19-15 overall record and tied for fourth place in the Pac-10 Conference with a 10-8 league mark. The squad advanced to the NCAA Tournament, going 6-2 down the stretch of the regular season and Pac-10 tournament to earn a berth.
The Trojans play a very young lineup featuring no seniors who have played more than 5 of the team's 11 games. Sophomore guard Maurice Jones tops the roster in both scoring (14.7 ppg) and assists (3.4 apg), and he has accounted for nearly half (20) of USC's 3-point baskets (42). Junior forward Aaron Fuller, the only upperclassman contributing more than 4.0 ppg, also averages double figures in scoring (11.5 ppg) in addition to leading the team in rebounding (6.5 rpg). Sophomore Dewayne Dedmon, a 7-0 center, averages 6.8 ppg and 1.1 blocked shots per contest.
LAST TIME WE MET: TCU 81, USC 69*
TCU raced out to a seven-point first-half lead and never looked back, posting an 81-69 victory over USC on Nov. 29, 2011 at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. The win marked the Frogs' first over a Pac-10 opponent since 2002 and pushed the team's season record to 5-2 for the first time since 2004-05.
TCU continued a hot home shooting streak, making 50.8% of its attempts from the floor. The squad entered the game combining to shoot 51.9% through its previous three home victories. The Frogs also were successful locking up the glass, gaining a 40-33 rebounding edge on the Trojans.
TCU moved out to an early 13-6 lead in the opening 4:30 after a stretch highlighted by 3-pointers from Hank Thorns and Nikola Gacesa. Thorns added a traditional 3-point play to complete an 11-2 Frog run. USC fought back with a 9-1 spurt that gave the Trojans their only lead of the game at 29-28 with 3:30 remaining in the first half. TCU responded with a 10-2 run of its own to end the period.
The Frogs scored the first seven points out of the locker room in the second half for a 14-point advantage. The two squads traded baskets from there, with USC climbing no closer than eight points for the remainder of the game.
*Box score available on page 38 of TCU game notes
Frogs Face USC Monday in Los Angeles
TCU looking for first three-game road winning streak since 1997-98
GAME #11 - TCU (7-3) at USC (4-7)
TCU GAME NOTES
GAME DAY INFORMATION
Monday, Dec. 19, 2011 // 9:30 p.m. CST // Los Angeles, Calif. // Galen Center (10,258)
Series Record: TCU leads, 1-0 // Last Meeting: Nov. 29, 2010 in Fort Worth (W, 81-69)
Radio: 820 AM/96.7 FM (WBAP), 88.7 FM (KTCU) // Talent: Brian Estridge, John Denton
Internet: GoFrogs.com (radio, GameTracker); USCTrojans.com (live video stream)
Television: None
TCU Head Coach: Jim Christian (Rhode Island, `88)
Record at TCU: 45-61 (.425) in 4th season // Overall: 183-119 (.606) in 10th season
USC Head Coach: Kevin O'Neill (McGill, `79)
Record at USC: 39-36 (.520) in 3rd season // Overall: 262-132 (.665) in 15th season
FORT WORTH--TCU returns to the road for its final non-conference game outside the DFW Metroplex on Monday, when it faces USC in Los Angeles. Tip-off from the Trojans' Galen Center is set for 9:30 p.m. CST.
TCU looks to start a new winning streak after seeing a string of four straight victories snapped Dec. 10 at home against Nebraska. The Horned Frogs are 3-2 away from Fort Worth this season, including 2-0 in true road games. A win against the Trojans would give the Frogs three road wins for the first time since the 1998-99 campaign and their first three-game road winning streak in the same season since 1997-98, when the squad won each of its final eight road contests.
USC is 4-7 following Saturday's home loss to Georgia (63-59).
Following Monday's matchup against USC, TCU returns home to wrap up its pre-holiday schedule with a Thursday night contest against Grambling State at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.
TCU and USC will be meeting for the second time in the all-time series. The Frogs won the first matchup last season in Fort Worth by an 81-69 count. The Trojans rebounded from the loss and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Fans also can follow the game live on the radio throughout the Metroplex on 820 AM/96.7 FM WBAP and 88.7 FM KTCU with Brian Estridge (play-by-play) and John Denton (analyst) serving as the play-by-play team. Links to both the live radio Internet feed and live stats will be available via TCU's official athletics website, GoFrogs.com.
In addition to the radio coverage, a live video stream for Monday's game will be made available via USC's official athletics website, USCTrojans.com, for a fee.
FROG QUICK NOTES
* TCU is 2-0 in true road games this season. A victory at USC would give the Frogs three non-conference road wins for the first time since 1998-99 (Providence, UTEP, SW Missouri State).
* A victory also would give TCU its first three-game road winning streak in a single season since 1997-98, when the squad won its final eight road contests.
* TCU's 7-3 start matches its best run to begin a season since an 8-2 mark in 2000-01.
* Six of TCU's seven wins have been by six points or fewer, including each of its wins vs. Division I opponents.
* TCU's RPI rating was No. 40 on Sunday according to RealTimeRPI.com, while its schedule was ranked as the nation's 18th-toughest to date.
* TCU has totaled 11 or more offensive rebounds in seven straight contests, the team's longest streak since 10 consecutive performances in 2005-06.
* TCU is forcing an average of 19.7 turnovers per game, 3.1 turnovers more than any other Mountain West team.
* TCU ranks second in the MW in offensive rebounding (12.10 rpg) and is third in turnover margin (+3.70).
* J.R. Cadot is No. 2 in the MW in offensive rebounds (3.30 rpg); No. 3 in total rebounds (7.8 rpg); No. 5 in steals (1.90 spg) and defensive rebounds (4.50 rpg); tied for No. 5 in blocked shots (0.80 bpg); No. 8 in minutes played (31.90 mpg); and No. 15 in scoring (11.5 ppg).
* Cadot is the only guard in MW, and the lone league player shorter than 6-8, averaging more than 5.8 rebounds this season. He has at least five boards in each contest.
* Cadot has scored in double figures seven times in 10 contests this season and 14 times in the last 19 games dating back to last February. He had only four such efforts in 25 career games prior to the current stretch.
* Hank Thorns is shooting 42.0% in the second half of games this season, compared to a first-half rate of only 26.2%. He is averaging 8.9 ppg in the second half and 4.2 ppg prior to intermission.
* Thorns, who has played only 42 games as a Frog, is just 52 assists shy of entering the team's career top-10 list (321).
* Thorns is No. 5 in the MW in assists (4.40 apg) and minutes played (33.00 mpg); No. 6 in steals (1.80 spg); No. 7 in scoring (13.5 ppg); and No. 8 in assist/turnover ratio (1.16).
SCOUTING THE USC TROJANS
USC, 4-7 this season under third-year head coach Kevin O'Neill, has dropped its last three games entering Monday's contest, including a 63-59 home matchup against Georgia in its most recent outing. Like TCU, the Trojans also fell at home to Nebraska this season, 64-61, in double overtime Nov. 14.
USC finished last season with a 19-15 overall record and tied for fourth place in the Pac-10 Conference with a 10-8 league mark. The squad advanced to the NCAA Tournament, going 6-2 down the stretch of the regular season and Pac-10 tournament to earn a berth.
The Trojans play a very young lineup featuring no seniors who have played more than 5 of the team's 11 games. Sophomore guard Maurice Jones tops the roster in both scoring (14.7 ppg) and assists (3.4 apg), and he has accounted for nearly half (20) of USC's 3-point baskets (42). Junior forward Aaron Fuller, the only upperclassman contributing more than 4.0 ppg, also averages double figures in scoring (11.5 ppg) in addition to leading the team in rebounding (6.5 rpg). Sophomore Dewayne Dedmon, a 7-0 center, averages 6.8 ppg and 1.1 blocked shots per contest.
LAST TIME WE MET: TCU 81, USC 69*
TCU raced out to a seven-point first-half lead and never looked back, posting an 81-69 victory over USC on Nov. 29, 2011 at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. The win marked the Frogs' first over a Pac-10 opponent since 2002 and pushed the team's season record to 5-2 for the first time since 2004-05.
TCU continued a hot home shooting streak, making 50.8% of its attempts from the floor. The squad entered the game combining to shoot 51.9% through its previous three home victories. The Frogs also were successful locking up the glass, gaining a 40-33 rebounding edge on the Trojans.
TCU moved out to an early 13-6 lead in the opening 4:30 after a stretch highlighted by 3-pointers from Hank Thorns and Nikola Gacesa. Thorns added a traditional 3-point play to complete an 11-2 Frog run. USC fought back with a 9-1 spurt that gave the Trojans their only lead of the game at 29-28 with 3:30 remaining in the first half. TCU responded with a 10-2 run of its own to end the period.
The Frogs scored the first seven points out of the locker room in the second half for a 14-point advantage. The two squads traded baskets from there, with USC climbing no closer than eight points for the remainder of the game.
*Box score available on page 38 of TCU game notes
