After losing a close one against the Oklahoma Sooners, the (10-6) Iowa State women’s basketball team is on road to take on the (8-8) TCU Horned Frogs this afternoon.
Everything to know about the TCU Horned Frogs
The Horned Frogs are struggling as of late. TCU possesses a 8-8 overall mark and a 0-5 conference record. While the Horned Frogs are winless in the Big 12 play this season, they have played some of the league’s best teams in Baylor, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Texas and Oklahoma State. TCU has lost each conference by an average of 20.6 points.
Despite being on a five-game skid, TCU has its own “Big Three” players just like Iowa State. This trio is comprised of A.J. Alix, Amy Okonkwo and Jada Butts who are averaging 11.9, 10.7 and 10.1 points per game respectively.
Coming into this game, the Horned Frogs will have freshman Amber Ramirez back in the rotation. Ramirez returned last time out against Baylor for TCU after missing seven games dues to injury. Her impact was definitely felt, as she scored eight points in 14 minutes for the Horned Frogs. Ramirez has also scored at least one three in each game she has played in this season.
Although the all-time series between Iowa State and TCU is tied at five a piece, the Cyclones have struggled against the Horned Frogs since they joined the Big 12. TCU holds a 5-3 advantage since joining the conference and has dominated Iowa State at home.
They get after it defensively
The press. It’s what’ TCU does and on the season, Iowa State has struggled against it. Last time out, the Cyclones faced a press vs Oklahoma and turns it over 13 times.
“I think just staying calm and doing what we need to do, knowing the game plan from the beginning,” said ISU guard Jadda Buckley on how the Cyclones can improve against the press. “The big thing is just staying calm. That’s what the press is, upbeat defenses trying to caught off guard, so that will be important.
They are really good at 3-point shooting
Just like Iowa State, TCU likes to shoot the 3-ball. But unlike the Cyclones, the Horned Frogs are top-10 in 3-point shooting percentage this season. On the year, TCU is shooting a blistering 39.5 behind the arc, good for No. 8 nationally. It also averages 8.3 threes per contest. This game may come down to which team shoots the 3-point ball more effectively.
Not a great rebounding team
If you were to ask Bill Fennelly what his team’s biggest weakness is, he would say rebounding. The Horned Frogs aren’t great at rebounding either. TCU is averaging nearly 37 broads per game and they rank No. 246 (out of 345 teams in the nation). On the season, Iowa State is averaging 41.2 rebounds per game. The battle on the glass between these two teams may determine the outcome of this contest.
TCU can move the ball around effectively
On the season, the Horned Frogs ball movement has been tremendous. They are assisting on a Big 12-best 68.7 percent of their made baskets. TCU’s 17.3 assists per game ranks No. 3 in the conference and No. 25 in the NCAA.
