For the 175th time the TCU Horned Frogs and the Rice Owls will clash on the hardwood, when the two teams meet this afternoon in a non-league affair at Tudor Fieldhouse.
This series has been a competitive battle throughout the years, and at the present moment the Owls own a slim, 89-85 lead over TCU. However, the last 10 games have been split down the middle, with the most recent contest going in favor of TCU, which defeated the Owls by a 70-58 margin, at home.
The Horned Frogs saw their modest two-game winning streak come to an end with their recent loss to Tulsa (69-66). It was the second road loss on the year for TCU, which will return home after this matchup to host San Diego State.
As for the Owls, they snapped a two-game slide with a 74-68 victory over LSU. It was the seventh win on the year for Rice, which has claimed six of those victories at home.
The Horned Frogs take the floor this afternoon looking to build off their success offensively. At the present moment TCU is averaging a healthy 74.9 ppg and that comes on a 46.2 percent shooting effort. Ronnie Moos is pacing the squad with 15.3 ppg and 4.1 apg, while Garlon Green and Sammy Yeager are also producing on a consistent basis. Green, who is shooting 54.8 percent from behind the arc, he helping out with 11.9 ppg, while Yeager, who has started just five of the 14 games this season, is netting 10.1 ppg. Unfortunately the last time TCU was in action the team took a step back offensively, shooting just 35.5 percent from the floor. TCU, which finished just 6-of-19 from long range, was paced by Moss' 19 points. Greg Hill was the only other player in double figures, with 12 points off the bench. As for Green and Yeager, they finished with a combined 14 points.
The Owls have been mediocre at best offensively, and while the squad has done some good things in that area, there has also been times when this team has struggled. Rice is currently producing just 68.8 ppg. Arsalan Kazemi has been the driving force for this team, posting 17.3 ppg, to go along with 11.4 rpg. Tamir Jackson is the only other player averaging double figures with 13.6 ppg. Rice was not overwhelming in its last game, but did enough to get by LSU. The Owls did shot over 50.0 percent in the win, but the main reason for the victory was the team's 32-of-47 showing from the foul line. Kazemi tallied another double-double, finishing with 19 points and 17 rebounds, while Jackson and Connor Frizzelle posted 16 and 13 points, respectively.
Rice has played extremely well at home this season and should put forth another solid effort this afternoon. However, the Horned Frogs seem too tough and with a little help from the bench can grab a victory on the road.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: TCU 73, Rice 70