The TCU Horned Frogs aren't done making their case to make the NCAA Tournament just yet. Today they defeated the top ranked team in all the land, the Kansas Jayhawks 85-82 in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament. Desmon Bane hit all three free throws with 2.5 seconds left after he was fouled shooting the potential game-winning three-pointer. The Frogs were down four, 80-76 with just over a minute left. Brandon Parrish, a 66% free throw shooter and Alex Robinson, a 62.5% shooter both hit a pair of free throws to tie the game at 80 each.
Alex Robinson drove in for the layup and a 82-80 lead with 31 seconds left before Frank Mason drew a foul and tied the game by hitting two free throws. TCU held the last possession with 22 seconds on the clock and the ball in the hands of Robinson. Robinson worked the clock down to under five seconds when he drove into the lane drawing the help defender and finding Desmond Bane in the corner for the go-ahead three-pointer. Bane's shot was blocked, but Kansas guard Svi Mykhailiuk crashed through Bane on the attempt for the easy foul call with just 2.5 seconds left on the clock. Desmond Bane, a freshman, stepped up to the line to attempt the biggest free throws of his young college career. He drained all three and the horned Frogs led 85-82 with 2.5 seconds left on the clock. Kansas was able to get the ball down the court and get a decent shot off, but it fell short and TCU held on for the 85-82 victory.
After the game TCU head coach Jamie Dixon talked with his team about the victory.
Kenrich "Kenny Hustle" Williams led the Frogs with 18 points and eight rebounds and was one of five Horned Frogs in double figures. Desmond Bane finished with 16 points on 5-6 sooting from the field and 4-5 from the line, followed by Alex Robinson, Brandon Parrish and Vlad Brodziansky with 13, 12 and 11 points, respectively.
TCU will face #25 Iowa State on Friday at 6:00 pm Central. The Frogs are two wins away from an automatic NCAA Tournament birth. TCU split the season series with the Cyclones 1-1 this season.
