TCU hosts Lamar with No. 7 Michigan on horizon

With No. 7 Michigan coming to town on Friday, TCU is looking to build some momentum going into that marquee game as it hosts Lamar on Monday night in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Horned Frogs (1-1) are coming off a 104-63 victory over Saint Francis, rebounding from a stunning opening-season loss to New Orleans. TCU's Tanner Toolson led the way with 25 points, knocking down four 3-pointers, and Micah Robinson posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

TCU coach Jamie Dixon said the Horned Frogs had "no choice" but to respond after the disappointing opener and then the news of starting center Malick Diallo sustaining a season-ending injury with a torn ACL in his left knee.

"I was excited about this team, and then that (injury) happens five minutes in, and we play so poorly," said Dixon, who will celebrate his 60th birthday Monday. "But you're not gonna play great every game. We picked the first game, and certainly not the one you want to do, but we've just got to keep believing in ourselves."

David Punch has been the Frogs' most consistent player in the first two games, averaging 15 points and eight rebounds while Toolson is averaging 16 ppg. TCU would like to see more production from transfer guards Brock Harding (Iowa) and Jayden Pierre (Providence) as both are expected to play significant roles and help improve the team's outside scoring chances.

Lamar, meanwhile, opened its season with a 93-53 victory over Texas A&M-San Antonio. Jayden Gambrell scored a team-high 27 points, and Andrew Holifield finished with 19.

The Cardinals (1-0) are a team on the rise under Alvin Brooks, who is in his fifth season. Brooks has increased the win totals each season, capped by reaching the 20-win mark last year. It marked the first 20-win season for Lamar since 2018-19.

Lamar signed Brooks to a three-year extension before the season as the program is headed toward contending for Southland Conference championships.

"My goal for this program after being gone for 35 years was to rebuild it to where we are competing for conference championships every year," Brooks said when he signed the extension. "I knew that was going to take some time."

--Field Level Media