TCU basketball gave its fans plenty of reasons for optimism Saturday afternoon, showcasing an impressive perimeter attack and balanced scoring in an 89-76 exhibition victory over Wyoming.
Brock Harding couldn't miss, Gavin Sykes provided instant offense off the bench, and the Horned Frogs controlled the glass in an encouraging performance ahead of the 2026-27 college basketball season.
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The victory at Midland College's Al G. Langford Chaparral Center offered head coach Jamie Dixon an early look at a roster hoping to make noise in the Big 12.
And the results were promising.
Harding delivered arguably the afternoon's most impressive individual performance, finishing with 16 points while making all six of his field-goal attempts, including four 3-pointers.
The junior guard also distributed a team-high three assists, providing the kind of efficient backcourt production that could become invaluable once conference competition begins.
Sykes, a sophomore transfer from Long Beach State, led TCU with 17 points despite coming off the bench.
He connected on seven of 12 shots, including two from beyond the arc, adding another offensive weapon to Dixon's rotation.
Micah Robinson contributed 15 points, knocking down three 3-pointers and helping the Horned Frogs establish control during the opening half.
Robinson's first triple gave TCU a 15-13 advantage approximately six minutes into the contest.
The Horned Frogs never trailed again.
TCU closed the first half with eight consecutive points, taking a 43-29 lead into the locker room.
The momentum continued after halftime.
A Sykes 3-pointer pushed the advantage to 56-34, giving TCU its largest lead of the afternoon.
Wyoming responded with 10 unanswered points, briefly trimming the deficit to 12 before Xavier Edmonds helped stabilize the Horned Frogs.
The preseason All-Big 12 forward scored TCU's next six points and finished with eight points and nine rebounds.
TCU's work on the glass proved particularly important.
The Horned Frogs outrebounded Wyoming 34-22, helping offset an afternoon in which the Cowboys actually shot a better overall percentage from the field.
TCU connected on 45.6 percent of its shots overall while making 10 of 21 attempts from 3-point range, a remarkable 47.6 percent.
The Horned Frogs also attempted 38 free throws, converting 27.
However, the defensive performance wasn't flawless.
Wyoming shot 50.9 percent from the field and scored 47 second-half points, exposing areas Dixon will want improved before the regular season.
Cowboys guard Nas Meyer led all scorers with 24 points, including four 3-pointers, while Khaden Bennett added 17.
Still, TCU's offensive balance, rebounding advantage and perimeter shooting offered encouraging signs.
Three Horned Frogs reached double figures, and Harding's perfect afternoon highlighted the potential of a backcourt featuring several capable scorers.
Exhibition victories don't count toward the regular-season standings, but they provide valuable opportunities to evaluate rotations and identify weaknesses.
TCU will officially open its 2026-27 campaign November 2 against Lindenwood at Schollmaier Arena, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. Central.
For Dixon and the Horned Frogs, Saturday's performance provided a solid foundation.
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The offense looks capable of stretching defenses, the newcomers are contributing, and the team has demonstrated it can control the boards.
Now comes the challenge of carrying that production into games that count.
Source: Yahoo Sports









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