TCU men fall to Vanderbilt in Coast to Coast Challenge at Dickies Arena

Despite a strong shooting performance, TCU’s offense struggled in the team’s 83-76 loss to Vanderbilt on Sunday at Dickies Arena.

TCU head coach Jamie Dixon said last week that the Horned Frogs needed to work on its shot selection. The Horned Frogs did shoot well (26 of 52, 50%) from the field, but 18 turnovers plagued the Horned Frogs.

After the game, Dixon said he was surprised by TCU’s turnovers.

“The turnovers, that’s, out of character,” Dixon said. “Some half-court, very bad turnovers, and some things are unexplainable, kicking off our foot, saving a ball that’s ours, and some jump in the air passes bad bad reads, bad drives.”

In the first half, TCU shot 52% from three but had more turnovers (12) than assists (9) and their turnovers led to 17 first-half points for the Commodores.

The Horned Frog’s offense also struggled to score with consistency with only one field goal in the final five minutes of the first half.

The game was a back-and-forth affair and after a layup from David Punch gave TCU a one-point lead the Commodores went on a 17-7 run to take a commanding lead.

TCU reduced their deficit to four points with two minutes left in the game but a Jason Edwards layup after a Devin Mcglockton block would help secure the Vanderbilt win.

Commodores guard Jason Edwards had a game-high 30 points with four rebounds and two steals.

TCU big man Ernest Udeh said Edwards was effective at all three levels, making it difficult to slow him down.

“He’s a shifty guard, for sure. Knows how to get to his spot and again, like, he’s not just a can’t shoot like, you know, again, we have to play him at all three levels and that was evident. Put that on display tonight,” said Udeh, “He’s a solid player, got to the basket, finished well, and again got to the free throw line.”

Three-point prowess

TCU’s offense was excellent from beyond the arc with the Horned Frogs shooting their highest percentage from three-point range (58.8%) in a game this season going 10-of-17.

Dixon was happy with the team’s shot selection saying he didn’t feel they took many bad shots but that untimely turnovers cost them.

TCU was led behind the arc by Brendan Wenzel who was a perfect 3-for-3 from three-point range. Wenzel left the game late with an ankle injury and was unable to return.

Freshman David Punch joined the three-point bonanza with the first three of his TCU tenure while notching a career-high 11 points in the loss.

Dixon praised Punch for his play and his development during the season.

“He’s gotten better, and we’re doing some things with him. We need him because he’s physical and [for] rebounding,” said Dixon, “I told you you hadn’t seen the best of him, he’d been practicing well, and then obviously you’re seeing it...we love the kid. I mean he played really well like you said, inside out, he just does everything you ask and to be honest, I say, ask, but he came with a great feel too. “

However, their free throw shooting hurt them as the Horned Frogs made just 14 of 26.

Defensive dominance

Vanderbilt came into the game as a team with a reputation for taking care of the ball ranking ninth nationally in turnover margin.

However, the Horned Frogs forced 12 turnovers and made Vanderbilt work, especially in the half court, where the Commodores struggled especially from three-point range shooting.

Vanderbilt shot 6-of-22 from three-point range and only made one shot from behind the arc in the first half.

Rebounding was again an issue for the Horned Frogs with 13 offensive rebounds and 15 second-chance points in the game and Udeh said the team had to improve on the boards.

“Poor job definitely. You know me, I hold myself to a high standard when it comes to getting rebounds, and Coach [Dixon] obviously emphasizes it to the entire team that it’s not just on bigs or fours, the entire team needs to rebound.” said Udeh, “We all can only control our effort and that also applies on the glass both offensively and defensively but obviously moreso defensively. When the shot goes up, all five guys need to find a man, hit, crash, make sure we get this stop. Because again, if you give a team second-chance points...that can also dictate a ball game.”

TCU was out-rebounded 37-28 by Vanderbilt in the game.

TCU will play next at 7 p.m. on Dec. 16 against South Alabama at Schollmaier Arena.