Cincinnati vs TCU Odds & Pick: Frogs to Make Big Statement

The TCU Horned Frogs let their last game against Texas Tech slip away in the final minutes. They seemed destined to pull off a big road win, but the relentlessness of the Red Raiders was too much to overcome.

They now host the Cincinnati Bearcats, who recently had their worst loss of the season. Losing at home to Oklahoma State is disastrous for your NCAA tournament resume, and the Cats firmly find themselves on the outside looking in at the Big Dance.

That loss can completely deflate a team, so the matchup is not ideal for the Cats. Here's Cincinnati vs. TCU odds and a pick.

The Cats' fate for the NCAA tournament seems to have been sealed after a devastating loss to Oklahoma State. They will likely need to win the Big 12 Tournament to secure a spot in the dance.

Despite having a talented roster, the Bearcats have lost seven out of their last 10 games and are 5-8 in the Big 12. Unfortunately for them, the Big 12 is one of the toughest leagues in the country, so if they were in any other league, they would most likely be a shoo-in to the dance.

As for the upcoming matchup against the Horned Frogs, the Cats will need to step up their game if they want to win. They have a top-75 ranking in adjusted offensive efficiency and an excellent defense represented by a top-25 ranking in adjusted defensive efficiency.

However, their 3-point shooting needs to improve, as they are only shooting 33% from beyond the arc, and their free-throw shooting also needs work, with a team average of 69%.

While their rebounding skills should help them keep the game close, their offensive struggles may not be enough to compete with the Horned Frogs, especially on the road.

The key to winning this game lies in guard Jizzle James and forward Simas Lukosius. The latter is getting hot from 3-point range and both are hitting better than 35% from beyond the arc.

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The Horned Frogs have a great opportunity to recover at home. They enter the game top-50 in adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency. They shoot a remarkable 53% from the field, including 35% from beyond the arc.

The Frogs are outstanding at offensive rebounding, which is crucial against the Bearcats, who are excellent at defensive rebounding.

However, the Frogs have an issue with turning the ball over too often on the offensive side. Fortunately, the Bearcats do not force many turnovers on the defensive side, so it may not be a significant factor after all.

I was impressed with Jamie Dixon's team after their loss to Texas Tech. The Horned Frogs held the lead for most of the second half, but the game slipped away in the final minutes. As the Red Raiders are undefeated at home, this loss should be taken with a grain of salt.

The Horned Frogs have already achieved many impressive wins on the road, making them a dark-horse threat for a run in the NCAA Tournament. For this matchup, I expect their offense to continue excelling, even against the tough Bearcats defense.

On the defensive side, they should focus on forcing turnovers, which is crucial against a Bearcats team that turns the ball over too often. The Frogs are also excellent at defending the perimeter and forcing their opponents into tough shots.

Considering the situational spot and the overall skill gap between the two teams, it's an excellent opportunity to buy the Horned Frogs after their tough loss.

After losing to the Pokes, the Bearcats' season seems to be coming to an end. I anticipate the team to appear deflated, sloppy and uninterested when they face off against the Horned Frogs in Fort Worth on Saturday afternoon.

However, the Horned Frogs are still in the running to improve their NCAA tournament seed and will be eager to make a strong comeback on their home court. This is the perfect time to invest in the Horned Frogs, and I am not worried about the Bearcats' tough defense.

I have more confidence in the Horned Frogs' offense to consistently score throughout the game. Additionally, the Horned Frogs' defense is known for forcing turnovers, putting the Bearcats in a difficult offensive position.

This is a game that could quickly turn ugly, so I expect the Horned Frogs to make a major statement at home.

Pick: TCU -5.5 or Better