TCU Horned Frogs: 21-11, 9-9 in the Big 12
Head coach: Jamie Dixon (2nd season)
Players to watch: Kenrich Williams (13.1 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 4.0 APG); Vladimir Brodziansky (15.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 57.6 FG%); Alex Robinson (9.8 PPG, 6.1 APG)
Season recap: While Pittsburgh has become one of the most downtrodden teams in Division I basketball, going 0-19 against ACC opponents this year, former Panthers' head coach Jamie Dixon has orchestrated a similar turnaround in the opposite direction for the Horned Frogs.
TCU is appearing in its first NCAA tournament of the 21st century after finishing strong through the Big 12 gauntlet with four wins in its last five regular-season games. Although point guard Jaylen Fisher was shut down for the season in late January with a meniscus tear, the Horned Frogs did not miss a beat without him, as Alex Robinson slid seamlessly into regular minutes as an effective floor general.
Do-it-all 6-foot-7 guard Kenrich Williams shoots better than 40 percent from deep and has helped the Horned Frogs outrebound opponents by more than six boards per game, and 6-foot-11 big man Vladimir Brodziansky is a polished scorer in the low post with range out to the 3-point line. TCU has had its share of struggles this season, but it can score well enough to compete with anybody.
How they make a run: Brodziansky capitalizes on advantageous matchups to have a big first weekend and finds shooters like Williams and Desmond Bane on the 3-point line when defenses collapse on him, helping the Horned Frogs score enough points to advance to the Sweet 16.
How they falter: TCU runs into a high-powered offense with guards that can get to the rim and can't stop them, Brodziansky battles foul trouble and the Horned Frogs' return to the NCAA tournament ends without a win.
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