This is March!
The TCU Horned Frogs have defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 66-64in the opening game of the 2026 of the NCAA tournament!
Texas Christian started out hard and heavy, maintaining a steady lead throughout the first half of the game. The Horned Frog’s defense was relentless, suffocating the Buckeyes in the paint, making it difficult for Ohio St. to not only shoot the ball but just move it around the court. TCU held the Buckeyes to just 24 points at the end of the first half.
Starting out in the second half, Ohio State began to settle in and play their brand of ball. With an electric dunk from Amare Byumn, followed by two back-to-back swift three-point shots by John Mobley Jr, the Buckeyes slowly started to gain the momentum of the game and reignite their fire. Ohio State would chip away at TCU, before ultimately taking the lead, which would spark the blow for blow boxing match at the tail end of the game.
The Madness of March would shine through the tail end of the first matchup of the Tourney, as with 4 seconds remaining in the contest, Xavier Edmonds would become a Horned Frog legend with a last opportunity layup to take a 66-64 lead. With a chance for glory and to move onto the Round of 32, Ohio State would get the ball into Bruce Thornton’s hands who launches a prayer from the logo…..and it clanks off the backboard as TCU emerges victorious over the Buckeyes.
With their win over Ohio State, Texas Christian advances to the Round of 32, where they’ll face the winner of #1 Duke and #16 Siena on Saturday.
Final Box:
TCU:
Xavier Edmonds #24 — 25 MIN, 16 PTS, 6-12 FG, 2-3 3PT, 2-4 FT, 8 REB, 3 AST, 0 TO, 1 STL, 0 BLK
David Punch #15 — 28 MIN, 16 PTS, 6-12 FG, 0-1 3PT, 4-6 FT, 13 REB, 2 AST, 2 TO, 0 STL, 3 BLK
Micah Robinson #5 — 37 MIN, 18 PTS, 6-11 FG, 4-6 3PT, 2-2 FT, 5 REB, 0 AST, 1 TO, 1 STL, 0 BLK
Jayden Pierre #1 — 36 MIN, 4 PTS, 1-7 FG, 1-3 3PT, 1-2 FT, 0 REB, 2 AST, 1 TO, 0 STL, 1 BLK
Brock Harding #2 — 29 MIN, 8 PTS, 3-8 FG, 2-6 3PT, 0-0 FT, 4 REB, 3 AST, 1 TO, 0 STL, 0 BLK
FG: 24-60 (40%)
3PT: 9-23 (39%)
FT: 9-14 (64%)
REB: 38 (12 OREB, 26 DREB)
AST: 12 | TO: 7 | STL: 4 | BLK: 4 | PF: 13
Ohio State:
Amare Bynum #1 — 35 MIN, 12 PTS, 5-8 FG, 0-3 3PT, 2-3 FT, 9 REB, 2 AST, 1 TO, 1 STL, 2 BLK
Devin Royal #21 — 39 MIN, 14 PTS, 5-10 FG, 0-1 3PT, 4-4 FT, 5 REB, 0 AST, 0 TO
Christoph Tilly #13 — 31 MIN, 10 PTS, 4-9 FG, 0-1 3PT, 2-2 FT, 6 REB, 6 AST, 2 TO, 2 STL, 1 BLK
Bruce Thornton #2 — 40 MIN, 10 PTS, 3-9 FG, 2-5 3PT, 2-2 FT, 4 REB, 4 AST, 1 TO, 1 STL
John Mobley Jr. #0 — 39 MIN, 15 PTS, 6-17 FG, 3-11 3PT, 0-0 FT, 3 REB, 6 AST, 1 TO
FG: 24-57 (42%)
3PT: 6-23 (26%)
FT: 10-11 (91%)
REB: 32 (6 OREB, 26 DREB)
AST: 18 | TO: 7 | STL: 4 | BLK: 3 | PF: 10
Cover Photo Credits: TCU Athletics
