TCU is better now than they've been since joining the Big 12 5 years ago (duh). While this is true, it doesn't ignore the fact that Dixon has done more with less. Yes, he has talented players like Jaylen Fisher, Brodziansky, and even Karviar Shepard who was a consensus top 100 recruit held over from the old regime.
However, the supporting cast is an average one comprised of the same type of players we've been used to seeing since their inception into the conference. A team that frequently plays 2 PG's, one being the talented Fisher, the ball seems to stick more in the hands of a guy I'd rather see with the ball (as a fan of an opposing team). Alex Robinson. Robinson, who looks exactly like Raphie from The League, has a loose handle yet seems to be the guy with the ball about 75℅of the time. Not sure why Dixon prefers to go with the less skilled of his 2 PG's so much.
JD Miller is your classic trash ball player, who at 6-8 235 would be a big on this Iowa State team, but for TCU almost never plays inside the 3 pt arc. He's got an ugly shot that somehow makes it down the hole from time to time. I call him a chucker.
Finally you gave Kenrich Williams, who has the ugliest haircut I've seen in quite awhile. This player is not overly skilled, but plays hard and is very annoying to watch your team play against. Reminds me a lot of Spangler from OU. Or even junior year Dustin Hogue.
The fact that Dixon has squeezed all that he can out of an average supporting cast, is the reason they are 17-9. More so I think than Brodziansky and Fisher. They win as a team, lose as a team, and I don't think it's as simple as shutting down one guy to beat them.
However, being that they are mostly average, and still a mostly young team, I think Hilton will be too much for them to withstand. Our guys are playing hot and I don't see a cold spell happening on a Saturday in Hilton. Not to mention that first time around we were not playing any post defense. The 6'6" Bowie was our only 'big' in that game (which he is not, truly). Since then, Holden has come back to life (sort of) and Young has emerged. I don't think we need those guys to do a lot tomorrow, but they need to try their best to stay out of foul trouble.
I've never wanted a win vs TCU so badly, it's a weird feeling. Thinking we expose them this time, we are a changed team since the first go around, and have also seen them unravel a bit down the stretch.
Iowa State 83
TCU 69