Six days after losing to Colorado 87-81, TCU men’s basketball completed an 18-point comeback to beat Kansas State 84-82.
The Horned Frogs have been on an up-and-down trajectory this season, which has led them to a 14-9 record and a 4-6 record in the Big 12.
Jamie Dixon refers to the Frogs as a “bubble” team for the NCAA tournament, lining up with many experts.
ESPN’s Joe Lunardi currently has TCU as a Next Four Out team in his Feb. 6 Bracketology, which means the Frogs are ranked 73-76. KenPom ranks TCU 54th as of Feb. 8.
Sixty-eight teams make the NCAA tournament, so the remainder of the Frogs’ schedule and the Big 12 Tournament will determine if they can go dancing in March.
The Frogs have played four top-10 opponents and are 1-3 in those games, the win being against No. 10 Florida.
Tanner Toolson described the Big 12 as a “conference of opportunities” after an 86-73 loss against Arizona. TCU still has an opportunity to get off the “bubble.” TCU still has to play No. 5 Iowa State and No. 16 Texas Tech, which could both serve as signature wins for the Frogs.
The Big 12 tournament is another opportunity for TCU to strengthen its case for a tournament bid. VCU in 2011, UCLA in 2021, Michigan in 2022 and Texas A&M in 2023 all made deep conference tournament runs to get into the NCAA tournament.
TCU will have a chance to get an upset win and improve its tournament chances on Feb. 10 against Iowa State. The game will be on FS1 at 8 p.m.
TCU guard Jace Posey shoots the ball at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, Feb. 7, 2026. The TCU Horned Frogs beat the Kansas State Wildcats 84-82. (TCU360/Keegan Schmidt)
TCU guard Tanner Toolson jumps back and shoots the ball at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, Feb. 7, 2026. The TCU Horned Frogs beat the Kansas State Wildcats 84-82. (TCU360/Keegan Schmidt)
TCU guard Tanner Toolson jumps in the air and passes the ball at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, Feb. 7, 2026. The TCU Horned Frogs beat the Kansas State Wildcats 84-82. (TCU360/Keegan Schmidt)
TCU guard Liutauras Lelevicius stares his opponent down at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, Feb. 7, 2026. The TCU Horned Frogs beat the Kansas State Wildcats 84-82. (TCU360/Keegan Schmidt)
