TCU Pulls off an Incredible Upset over No. 5 Kansas, 62-55

Associated Press

FORT WORTH, Texas — Garlon Green scored 20 points and TCU held on for a 62-55 upset of fifth-ranked Kansas on Wednesday night for the Horned Frogs’ first Big 12 victory.

The Jayhawks (19-3, 7-2 Big 12), coming off a loss four days earlier against Oklahoma State, have their first losing streak in more than seven years. They had played 264 games in a row since January 2006 without consecutive losses, the longest active streak in NCAA Division I.

TCU (10-12, 1-8) never trailed in the game, which marked the midpoint of its conference schedule in its first Big 12 season, also the first season for new coach Trent Johnson.

Kansas, which has won or shared 12 of the 16 regular-season Big 12 titles since the league started, didn’t score its first points until more than 7 minutes into the game. The Jayhawks finished with their fewest points in nearly six years.

Kevin Lonnquist’s Take

Well, if you had TCU picking up its first Big 12 win by upsetting No. 5 Kansas, you’re pretty lucky or smart or weren’t paying attention. Obviously, it’s one of the best wins in school history. The Horned Frogs never trailed. And it proves that when you go on the road in conference basketball, it’s really hard to win. Kansas coach Bill Self has been telling people that he really doesn’t have a point guard. He’s right as his best option Trevis Releford had only four points before fouling out. TCU didn’t shoot very well at 39 percent but the Horned Frogs got to the foul line 37 times and Garland Green stepped up with 20. So what does this mean about the Big 12? Well, it goes back to something I’ve been saying for several weeks. This isn’t a great league this year. There are decent teams but nothing to make you think that someone will get beyond the first week of the NCAA Tournament. That takes nothing away from what TCU did — the Horned Frogs deserve the cheers. Still, it doesn’t help the image of the league when first place goes to last place and gets thumped.