# 2017–18 TCU Horned Frogs men's basketball team

The 2017–18 TCU Horned Frogs men's basketball team represented Texas Christian University in the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, led by head coach Jamie Dixon in his second season at TCU. The Horned Frogs competed as members of the Big 12 Conference and played their home games at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. They finished the season 21–12, 9–9 in Big 12 play to finish in fifth place. They lost in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament to Kansas State. They received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, their first appearance in 20 years. Seeded No. 6 in the Midwest region, TCU lost in the first round to Syracuse.

## Previous season

In 2016, the Horned Frogs introduced Jamie Dixon, a former TCU letterman, as the new head men's basketball coach. In his first season after leaving Pitt for his alma mater, Dixon led the Frogs to a 24–15, 6–12 Big 12 record. The Frogs' 6–12 record and eighth-place finish was their best league mark since joining the Big 12 in 2012. In the postseason, TCU defeated Oklahoma and No. 1 Kansas in the Big 12 tournament before losing in their first-ever Big 12 semifinal berth to Iowa State. They received an invitation to the National Invitation Tournament where they defeated Fresno State, Iowa, and Richmond to advance to the semifinals at Madison Square Garden. At MSG, they defeated UCF to advance to the NIT finals where they routed Georgia Tech to claim the 2017 NIT championship.

## Preseason
### Departures

| Name | Number | Pos. | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | Reason |
| Michael Williams | 2 | G | 6'2" | 190 | Senior | Arlington, TX | Graduated |
| Josh Parrish | 5 | G | 6'5" | 220 | Freshman | Arlington, TX | Transferred to Rice |
| Brandon Parrish | 11 | F | 6'6" | 210 | Senior | Arlington, TX | Graduated |
| Karviar Shephard | 32 | C | 6'11" | 230 | Senior | Dallas, TX | Graduated |
| Chris Washburn | 33 | F | 6'8" | 240 | Senior | Grand Prairie, TX | Graduated |

### Recruiting

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date |
| Kevin Samuel C | Houston, TX | St. Thomas Episcopal | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | Aug 16, 2016 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| RJ Nembhard G | Keller, TX | Keller High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | Jul 14, 2016 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Lat Mayen F | Adelaide, Australia | Concordia College | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | Nov 1, 2016 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A ||||||
| Shawn Olden G | Tulsa, OK | Union High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Mar 17, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A ||||||
| Ahmed Hamdy F | Alexandria, Egypt | | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) | 240 lb (110 kg) | |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A ||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: NR Rivals: NR ESPN: NR ||||||
| Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "TCU 2017 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved July 2, 2017. "2017 TCU Basketball Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved July 2, 2017. "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 2, 2017. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved July 2, 2017. "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved July 2, 2017. ||||||

### Exhibition games in Australia

The Frogs traveled to Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, from August 5–16, 2017, and played five exhibition games under International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rules. TCU's starting sophomore guard Jaylen Fisher missed the trip due to a knee injury, and incoming freshmen Lat Mayen, an Australia native, and Kevin Samuel were unable to travel pending NCAA eligibility clearance. All three players were expected to be healthy and cleared prior to the season opener on November 10; however, the Frogs ultimately elected to redshirt Mayen and Samuel. The Horned Frogs defeated the Savannah Pride 108–54, Australia's Centre of Excellence 105–71, the Melbourne All-Stars 96–70, the Australia Longhorns 107–81, and the Knox Raiders 107–63.

### Season projections

The Big 12 Conference coaches picked the Horned Frogs to finish third in regular season league play in the preseason coaches' poll, the highest-ever projection for the Frogs since joining the league in 2012 and being picked to finish ninth or tenth in each of their first five seasons. At Big 12 Media Day in Kansas City, Kansas head coach Bill Self suggested TCU would compete with the Jayhawks for the regular season crown. Senior Vladimir Brodziansky was one of five Big 12 players selected to the Preseason All-Big 12 team, and represents TCU's first selection since joining the league.
TCU received votes in the preseason Associated Press Poll and USA Today Coaches Poll, equivalent to 29th and 30th place, respectively.

## Schedule and results

| Date time, TV | Rank$^#$ | Opponent$^#$ | Result | Record | Site (attendance) city, state |
| Exhibition ||||||
| August 8, 2017* 5:00 am | | at Savannah Pride | W 108–54 Box Score | – | Kevin Betts Stadium (N/A) Sydney, Australia |
| August 10, 2017* 5:00 am | | at Basketball Center of Excellence | W 105–71 Box Score | – | Minto Indoor Sports Centre (162) Sydney, Australia |
| August 12, 2017* 2:30 am | | at Melbourne All Stars | W 96–70 Box Score | – | Waverley Stadium (N/A) Melbourne, Australia |
| August 12, 2017* 11:00 pm | | at Longhorns | W 107–81 Box Score | – | Eagle Stadium (N/A) Melbourne, Australia |
| August 15, 2017* 5:00 am | | at Knox Raiders (Big V) | W 107–63 Box Score | – | State Basketball Centre (360) Melbourne, Australia |
| Regular season ||||||
| November 10, 2017* 8:00 pm, FCS | | Louisiana–Monroe | W 83–73 Box Score | 1–0 | Schollmaier Arena (6,715) Fort Worth, TX |
| November 13, 2017* 8:00 pm, FSSW+ | | Tennessee Tech Emerald Coast Classic campus-site game | W 100–63 Box Score | 2–0 | Schollmaier Arena (6,019) Fort Worth, TX |
| November 15, 2017* 8:00 pm, FSSW | | South Dakota | W 76–71 Box Score | 3–0 | Schollmaier Arena (5,939) Fort Worth, TX |
| November 20, 2017* 8:00 pm, FSSW+ | | Omaha Emerald Coast Classic campus-site game | W 99–66 Box Score | 4–0 | Schollmaier Arena (6,733) Fort Worth, TX |
| November 24, 2017* 6:00 pm, CBSSN | | vs. New Mexico Emerald Coast Classic semifinal | W 69–67 Box Score | 5–0 | The Arena at NFSC (1,000) Niceville, FL |
| November 25, 2017* 6:00 pm, CBSSN | | vs. St. Bonaventure Emerald Coast Classic final | W 89–79 Box Score | 6–0 | The Arena at NFSC (1,400) Niceville, FL |
| November 29, 2017* 8:00 pm, FSSW+ | No. 23 | Belmont | W 87–76 Box Score | 7–0 | Schollmaier Arena (6,237) Fort Worth, TX |
| December 2, 2017* 7:00 pm, FSSW | No. 23 | Yale | W 92–66 Box Score | 8–0 | Schollmaier Arena (5,970) Fort Worth, TX |
| December 5, 2017* 8:00 pm, FSSW+ | No. 20 | SMU | W 94–83 Box Score | 9–0 | Schollmaier Arena (6,840) Fort Worth, TX |
| December 8, 2017* 11:59 pm, ESPNU | No. 20 | vs. No. 22 Nevada Basketball Hall of Fame Classic | W 84–80 Box Score | 10–0 | Staples Center (6,456) Los Angeles, CA |
| December 18, 2017* 8:00 pm, FSSW+ | No. 15 | Texas Southern | W 91–72 Box Score | 11–0 | Schollmaier Arena (5,925) Fort Worth, TX |
| December 22, 2017* 8:00 pm, Facebook | No. 15 | William & Mary | W 86–75 Box Score | 12–0 | Schollmaier Arena (6,207) Fort Worth, TX |
| December 30, 2017 1:00 pm, ESPN2 | No. 10 | No. 12 Oklahoma | L 89–90 Box Score | 12–1 (0–1) | Schollmaier Arena (6,912) Fort Worth, TX |
| January 2, 2018 6:00 pm, ESPNews | No. 16 | at Baylor | W 81–78 Box Score $^{OT}$ | 13–1 (1–1) | Ferrell Center (5,776) Waco, TX |
| January 6, 2018 8:15 pm, ESPN2 | No. 16 | No. 10 Kansas | L 84–88 Box Score | 13–2 (1–2) | Schollmaier Arena (6,894) Fort Worth, TX |
| January 10, 2018 8:00 pm, ESPNU | No. 16 | at Texas | L 98–99 Box Score $^{2OT}$ | 13–3 (1–3) | Frank Erwin Center (9,736) Austin, TX |
| January 13, 2018 12:00 pm, ESPNU | No. 16 | at No. 9 Oklahoma | L 97–102 Box Score $^{OT}$ | 13–4 (1–4) | Lloyd Noble Center (11,504) Norman, OK |
| January 17, 2018 8:00 pm, ESPNU | No. 24 | Iowa State | W 96–73 Box Score | 14–4 (2–4) | Schollmaier Arena (6,894) Fort Worth, TX |
| January 20, 2018 3:00 pm, ESPNU | No. 24 | at Kansas State | L 68–73 Box Score | 14–5 (2–5) | Bramlage Coliseum (11,194) Manhattan, KS |
| January 22, 2018 8:00 pm, ESPN | | No. 7 West Virginia | W 82–73 Box Score | 15–5 (3–5) | Schollmaier Arena (7,368) Fort Worth, TX |
| January 27, 2018* 3:00 pm, ESPN2 | | at Vanderbilt Big 12/SEC Challenge | L 78–81 Box Score | 15–6 | Memorial Gymnasium (9,755) Nashville, TN |
| January 30, 2018 6:00 pm, ESPNU | | at Oklahoma State | W 79–66 Box Score | 16–6 (4–5) | Gallagher-Iba Arena (6,250) Stillwater, OK |
| February 3, 2018 1:00 pm, ESPNU | | No. 10 Texas Tech | L 71–83 Box Score | 16–7 (4–6) | Schollmaier Arena (7,178) Fort Worth, TX |
| February 6, 2018 8:00 pm, ESPN2 | | at No. 10 Kansas | L 64–71 Box Score | 16–8 (4–7) | Allen Fieldhouse (16,300) Lawrence, KS |
| February 10, 2018 1:00 pm, ESPNU | | Texas | W 87–71 Box Score | 17–8 (5–7) | Schollmaier Arena (6,549) Fort Worth, TX |
| February 12, 2018 8:00 pm, ESPN2 | | at No. 20 West Virginia | L 66–82 Box Score | 17–9 (5–8) | WVU Coliseum (11,773) Morgantown, WV |
| February 17, 2018 7:00 pm, ESPN2 | | Oklahoma State | W 90–70 Box Score | 18–9 (6–8) | Schollmaier Arena (6,588) Fort Worth, TX |
| February 21, 2018 7:00 pm, Cyclones.TV | | at Iowa State | W 89–83 Box Score | 19–9 (7–8) | Hilton Coliseum (14,063) Ames, IA |
| February 24, 2018 11:00 am, ESPN2 | | Baylor | W 82–72 Box Score | 20–9 (8–8) | Schollmaier Arena (6,451) Fort Worth, TX |
| February 27, 2018 8:00 pm, ESPNU | | Kansas State | W 66–59 Box Score | 21–9 (9–8) | Schollmaier Arena (6,682) Fort Worth, TX |
| March 3, 2018 3:00 pm, ESPN2 | | at No. 12 Texas Tech | L 75–79 Box Score | 21–10 (9–9) | United Supermarkets Arena (15,098) Lubbock, TX |
| Big 12 Tournament ||||||
| March 16, 2018 11:30 am, ESPN2 | (5) | vs. (4) Kansas State Quarterfinals | L 64–66 Box Score $^{OT}$ | 21–11 | Sprint Center (17,903) Kansas City, MO |
| NCAA tournament ||||||
| March 16, 2018* 9:40 pm, CBS | (6 MW) | vs. (11 MW) Syracuse First Round | L 52–57 Box Score | 21–12 | Little Caesars Arena (20,314) Detroit, MI |
| *Non-conference game. $^#$Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses. All times are in Central Time. ||||||
Schedule Source: GoFrogs.com

## Rankings

TCU received votes in the preseason polls after their 2017 NIT Championship season. On December 25, 2017, the Horned Frogs received the program's first top-10 ranking from the Associated Press poll, surpassed the following day by a top-8 ranking from the USA Today Coaches Poll.
Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | Final |
| AP | RV | RV | RV | 23 | 20 | 14 | 15 | 10 | 16 | 16 | 24 | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | — |
| Coaches | RV | RV^ | RV | RV | 20 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 15 | 16 | 25 | RV | RV | — | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | — |
^Coaches Poll did not release a Week 2 poll at the same time AP did. *AP does not release post-NCAA tournament rankings.

## Future players
### Signing class entering 2018-19

US college sports recruiting information for 2018 recruits :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date |
| Kendric Davis PG | Houston, TX | Sam Houston High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | Jun 16, 2016 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Russell Barlow C | Richardson, TX | Berkner High School | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | Aug 3, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Kaden Archie SF | Midlothian, TX | Midlothian High School | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Oct 15, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Angus McWilliam C | Christchurch City, NZ | Middleton Grange School | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) | 235 lb (107 kg) | Apr 19, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Yuat Alok F | Auckland, NZ, Marianna, FL | Impact Academy, Chipola College | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | Jan 28, 2018 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: |||||||
| Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2018 TCU Commits". Rivals.com. "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. |||||||