TCU Men’s Athletics: A Year in Review Pt. 2
In continuation from part one, TCU Men’s Athletics Pt. 2 gives a review of the other Frog athletic programs. With ten different sports in the department on the men’s side, we break down each one’s season. Make sure to check out part one of the article for the entire story.
Basketball
The TCU Horned Frogs Men’s Basketball team had a rough season on the other side of things. While there were many things to be optimistic about, there was also a fair share of downs. The Horned Frogs would end the season with a 12-14 overall record and finish the conference play with a 5-11 record.
The preseason began with the Horned Frogs winning four in a row before they kicked off Big 12 Conference play. After battling through the regular season with several nationally ranked teams. The team would then also look towards the SEC/Big 12 challenge. In a close and hard-fought game against a good No. 12 ranked Missouri team, the Horned Frogs fell 98-102.
Then as the season rolled, several games became delayed because of COVID-19 protocols. The team would end their season on a four-game losing streak. Unfortunately, the season ended by not playing in the Big 12 Tournament and not making March Madness.
The TCU Horned Frogs do have a lot to look forward to next year as well. With a young team and big transfers such as Micah Peavy. The Horned Frogs will return better than ever next season.
Swimming and Diving
As for the TCU Men’s Swimming and Diving Team, their season was a year of rebuilding as well. The Horned Frogs in the regular season would go 0-3 overall and struggle through the season as a team. In terms of conference competition, the team finished 0-1 in the Big 12 Conference. While not having a single meet at home, the team would go winless on the road.
In the Big 12 Swimming Championships, only one individual on the men’s side medaled. That being Kade Knoch, who earned a bronze medal in the 200 back. This would be Knoch’s second year in a row earning bronze in the event, this year with a time of 1:46.81. The men’s team finished second out of the three teams with 681 points behind Texas with 951 points.
In the Big 12 Diving Championships, the Horned Frogs would not fare as well. While none of the team would earn individual medals, several PR’s were set as the team would place third of the three teams. Doing so with 850 points behind West Virginia, which accumulated 850.
After the CSCAA National Invitational Championships were canceled, the team would turn their attention towards the NCAA Zone D Diving Championships. While no Horned Frogs would place or qualify on the men’s side, the women’s team would compete well.
After a down season, look for the TCU Horned Frogs Men’s Swimming and Diving Teams to turn the corner as they will look to improve.
Tennis
Another successful TCU Men’s program is the TCU Men’s Tennis team. Finishing their season with a 19-8 record and going 4-1 conference. With a 7-1 record at home, 9-3 away, and 3-4 at neutral sites, the team was dominant in almost every location.
Competing in the ITA league, the team competed in 25 matchups against several different universities. While there were ups and downs, the team would fairly before the Big 12 Championship rolled around.
In their first matchup of the weekend, the Horned Frogs sweept the No. 26 ranked Oklahoma Sooners. With the momentum on their side, they headed into their second matchup against the Baylor Bears. The Frogs would be edged out by the Bears 3-4 to end their Big 12 Conference season in the contest.
The Horned Frogs would then play in the NCAA first and second round. In the first round, TCU took on and swept No. 43 ranked Arkansas. After winning the first round dominantly, the Frogs would then take on No. 20 Arizona State. In the matchup, they would take care of Arizona State 4-1 to advance to the NCAA Championship.
The TCU Horned Frogs first took on the No. 35 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in the NCAA Championship. In another tough matchup, the team advanced, beating the Buckeyes 4-1. Then in the second round, the team would face another familiar foe in the No. 2 ranked Baylor Bears. In a win-or-go-home situation, the Horned Frogs fell to the Bears 2-4, ending their season.
With several athletes returning and more coming in, look for the TCU Men’s Tennis team to come back next year, ready to go on another solid championship run.
Golf
In TCU Men’s golf, the squad had a successful season that, like many other sports, had both its ups and downs. The team played in ten tournaments before the Big 12 Conference play began. While the season started off to a rough start, the Horned Frogs were able to get on track right before conference play began.
The Horned Frogs would play some of their best golf of the season in the two tournaments prior. In the Wyoming Cowboy Classic, the team finished second as a team out of a field of 23 teams. Then a week later, the team would head to Arizona and play in the Thunderbird Collegiate. In a hard-fought tournament, the team came out with a gold medal giving them momentum heading into the Big 12 Championship.
Heading into the tournament, the team competed in the three-day tournament. After the second day, the team would be tied for fourth with Texas Tech and have a strong outing on the third and final day. On the third day, the Horned Frogs came out and collectively shot the lowest round of golf of the tournament. Unfortunately for the team, it would not be enough as the effort still placed them fourth out of the ten teams.
Heading to the NCAA Regional Tournament, the Horned Frogs would not fare as well. Placing tied for eighth after day one, the squad would then begin to climb in the placings. After day two, the team would then jump two spots for fifth. Then on day three, the team would jump one place and fall short of medaling. While not medaling, it would be enough to keep their season alive with the opportunity to compete in the NCAA Championships.
In the last tournament of the season, the team fell short, but again improved after each day. After the first day, the team was tied for 19th then again tied for 20th after day two. On day three, the team jumped to 15th place, putting them in the middle of the pack of the 30 teams. On the fourth and final day, the Horned Frogs season ended with them placing 16th.
With their season behind them, the TCU Horned Frogs Men’s Golf Team will look to next year, where they will return many key athletes with a chance to improve on an already successful year.
Overview
With the 2020-2021 season now in the past, many successful and unsuccessful programs will turn towards the 2021-2022 season. Doing so with the goal of training hard to earn a shot at a national title or furthering their career in athletics.
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Story by Campus Live Intern Trinity Porter
