TCU Basketball Opens New Season With Big Expectations Against Lindenwood

FORT WORTH - TCU basketball is back, and Jamie Dixon isn't exactly easing into his 11th season leading the Horned Frogs.

With an NCAA Tournament appearance fresh in the rearview mirror, a talented returning core and 10 newcomers, expectations are climbing in Fort Worth.

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The Horned Frogs officially begin their 2026-27 season Monday against Lindenwood at Schollmaier Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

It's the earliest season opener in TCU basketball history, and the beginning of what could be another significant year for Dixon's program.

TCU finished 23-12 last season, reaching the NCAA Tournament for the 12th time in school history. Now the challenge is building on that success while navigating one of college basketball's toughest conferences.

The biggest reason for optimism is Xavier Edmonds.

The returning forward averaged 12.7 points and 6.5 rebounds last season, earning All-Big 12 Third Team honors. He's already been selected to the preseason All-Big 12 team and named to the Karl Malone Award watch list.

CBS Sports also ranked Edmonds No. 69 among its top 101 players entering the season.

But he's hardly the only returning weapon.

Point guard Brock Harding averaged 5.6 assists last year, leading all returning Big 12 players. His 2.95 assist-to-turnover ratio established a TCU school record.

Micah Robinson also returns after scoring 18 points against both Ohio State and Duke in last season's NCAA Tournament.

Together with Tanner Toolson, the returning group accounts for 50.8 percent of TCU's scoring from last season.

Dixon has also assembled an intriguing collection of new talent.

Big West Freshman of the Year Gavin Sykes headlines the additions, while highly regarded junior college transfers Trent Lincoln and Ryan Hunt provide additional depth.

Former Texas Tech forward Luke Bamgboye and West Virginia transfer DJ Thomas bring valuable Big 12 experience.

The early signs are encouraging.

TCU defeated Wyoming 89-76 in an October 17 exhibition, with Sykes scoring 17 points off the bench.

Harding added 16 points on perfect 6-of-6 shooting, including four 3-pointers, while Robinson contributed 15.

The Horned Frogs connected on 10 of 21 attempts from beyond the arc.

Monday's opponent, Lindenwood, presents an opportunity to establish momentum before tougher competition arrives.

The Lions were picked sixth in the Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll and dropped a 75-71 exhibition decision against Southern Illinois.

TCU has historically dominated early-season competition under Dixon, posting a 77-8 home record against nonconference opponents at Schollmaier Arena.

There's another milestone approaching, too.

Dixon enters the season with 199 victories at TCU, just six away from matching the program record of 205.

The Horned Frogs were picked seventh in the Big 12 preseason poll, but national analyst Andy Katz included TCU atop his list of potential Final Four dark horses.

That's an ambitious projection for a team replacing nearly half its scoring.

Still, with Edmonds anchoring the frontcourt, Harding directing the offense and a deeper roster surrounding them, the ingredients are there for another postseason push.

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TCU opens against Lindenwood on Monday before hosting Southern on Friday, November 6, at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

The Horned Frogs have plenty to prove, and Dixon's next chapter begins now.