Feb. 1, 2008

Game Notes - Air Force Academy in PDF Format

Game Day Information
Opponent: The TCU men's basketball team will wrap-up its two-game home stand on Saturday evening as the Horned Frogs welcome the Air Force Academy to the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum for a Mountain West Conference showdown.

Radio: KTCU (88.7 FM) and ESPN Radio (103.3 FM) in the Dallas/Fort Worth area
Brian Estridge (play-by-play) and John Denton (anaylst) will call the game on the TCU/ISP Sports Network. The game can also be heard online at www.GoFrogs.com via Yahoo Sports.

Television: The Mtn. Network
Tim Neverett (play-by-play) and Todd Christensen (analyst) will handle the game duties for The Mtn. Network.

Next on the Schedule: BYU
The Purple and White will be back in action on Wednesday (Feb. 8) as the Frogs travel to Provo, Utah, for a match-up against Mountain West Conference-foe BYU with a 8:00 p.m. start time.

The Big Score
• The Frogs have scored 1,383 points through 19 games of the 2007-08 campaign - averaging 72.8 points per evening. The Purple and White is currently ranked third in the Mountain West Conference in scoring average sitting behind BYU and University of New Mexico.

Stealing the Show
• The Frogs will enter the game against the Falcons ranked sixth in the nation in steals per game with an average of 10.3 picks per evening. In the NCAA rankings, the Frogs are slated behind VMI (Virginia Military Institute) at 13.2 steals per game followed by Tennessee, Kansas, Clemson and Minnesota.

• The defense of the Purple and White has notched 12 games of 10 or more steals this season with their season-high coming against Texas Southern with a 17-steal performance - which is the second-highest tally among all Mountain West Conference programs.

• The only seven games this season that the Frogs did not record at least 10 or more steals came against Texas (9), Prairie View A&M (9), Grambling State (8), Wyoming (8), UNLV (7), Colorado State (6) and Utah (5).

• Jason Ebie is ranked 39th among all NCAA Division I student-athletes in steals per game as the TCU sophomore has recorded an average of 2.17 steals per game. The TCU point guard has collected three or more steals in seven of 19 games this season and has notched at least one steal in 18 of 19 games during the 2007-08 campaign.

Statement Time in the Mountain West Conference
• Teams in the Mountain West Conference have combined for a record of 110-69 (.615 winning percentage) with UNLV and BYU leading the way with a 5-1 conference mark. The Frogs are tied for fourth in the league with a 3-3 mark with New Mexico and Air Force.

• The Frogs have notched their best start with a 3-3 record in the Mountain West Conference since joining the league three seasons ago. The Purple and White has only recorded six wins in conference action over the last two seasons.

• Prior to their setback at Utah, the Frogs won three consecutive Mountain West Conference games for the first time since joining the league prior to the 2005-06 season.

Adams Leads UNLV to 70-58 Conference Win over TCU
• UNLV junior Wink Adams finished with a season-high 25 points - including five three-pointers - en route to leadin UNLV to a 70-58 victory over the TCU men's basketball program at the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum on Wednesday evening.

• Adams finished the game by connecting on 8-of-17 shots from the field - including 5-of-10 from behind the three-point arc - to go along with five assists and three rebounds.

• Joe Darger had a standout night for the Runnin' Rebels as the UNLV forward finished with 12 points to go along with seven rebounds, two assists and one blocked shot in 31 minutes of hardwood time.

• The Runnin' Rebels connected on 48.1 percent (26-of-54) of their field goal attempts - including 52.2 percent (12-of-23) in the second half of action compared to 37.5 percent (18-of-48) for the Purple and White.

• Brent Hackett finished with a team-high 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting to go along with two assists and two steals in 36 minutes of action.

• Kevin Langford notched his 17th consecutive double-digit scoring performance as the TCU forward finished with 17 points - including a career-high 9-of-9 from the charity stripe - to go along with four rebounds, one assist and one blocked shots in 37 minutes.

• The Frogs and Runnin' Rebels failed to miss a free throw in the game as the Purple and White connected on all 15 of their attempts while the visiting squad was perfect in their seven attempts from the charity stripe.

• The Runnin' Rebels held a 22-11 advantage in assists during the game against the Frogs as six members of UNLV dished out at least two assists in the game.

Frog Defense Standing Tall
• The defense of the Purple and White has been one of the strong points for the Frogs this season as TCU is holding opponents to a shooting percentage of 43.7 percent - which is on-pace to be the third-lowest shooting percentage for a foe in program history.

• The Frogs have forced opponents into 346 turnovers (18.2 turnovers per game) where they have scored 396 points off of the miscues of their foes - an average of 20.8 points.

• In Mountain West Conference action, the Frogs have forced opponents to connect on 33.6 percent (44-of-131) of their three-point field goal attempts. MWC opponents have only connected on more than three treys in three of six games.

The Glass Cleaners
• Alvardo Parker and Luke Tauscher each recorded a double-digit rebounding performance against Rice on November 13th and became the first set of teammates to accomplish that feat in the same game since Chudi Chinweze (13) and Bingo Merriex (11) did it against UAB on February 18, 2003 - a span of 131 games.

Time Well Spent
• Heading into the 2007-08 season, Neil Dougherty was excited about the depth on his bench and its shown as the Frogs have nine players that are averaging double-digits.

• Kevin Langford is one of five players to average over 20.0 minutes per evening as the TCU junior is collecting 29.3 minutes of court time per evening. The Fort Worth talent is joined in that category by Henry Salter, Brent Hackett, Alvardo Parker and Jason Ebie.

• The Frogs have four other players who are averaging double-digits in minutes played in Neiman Owens, John Ortiz, Mike Scott and Keion Mitchem.

Scouting the Opponents - Air Force Academy
• The Air Force Academy will enter the contest with an 11-8 overall record - including a 3-3 mark in Mountain West Conference action as the Falcons have been winners of three of their last five conference games with triumphs over UNLV, Wyoming (in overtime) and Colorado State.

• The Falcons are ranked fourth in the country in scoring defense as the Air Force Academy is allowing just 56.9 points per game while Washington State holds the lead with a defense allowing 53.9 points per contest.

• Tim Anderson is one of the top scoring threats for the Falcons as the AFA senior is ranked fifth in the Mountain West Conference in scoring average (15.5 P-G) to go along with second in minutes played (35.89 MP-G), third in steals per game (2.0 S-G) and fourth in free throw percentage (.845).

• Andrew Henke is ranked seventh in defensive rebounds per game (4.32 R-G) and ninth in three-point field goals made per game (1.95 3FGM-G) while Evan Washington is ranked fifth in minutes played per game (33.0 MP-G) and Anwar Johnson is listed eighth in minutes played per game (31.37 MP-G).

• The Air Force Academy is under the direction of first-year head men's basketball coach Jeff Reynolds - who becmae the first coach in program history to win his first five games of his career. Reynolds guided the Falcons to triumphs over Dartmouth, Northern Colorado, Western State, Radford and Mississippi Valley State.

• Earlier in the season, Anderson became the 10th player in program history to record 200 assists and 100 steals in his career as he currently stands at 211 assists and 146 steals. The AFA senior is also ranked fourth in career steals and third in career free throw shooting percentage for the Falcons.

• Andrew Henke is ranked third on the program's all-time three-point field goal shooting percentage as the AFA senior has connected on 40.1 percent (77-of-192) of his trey attempts.

• The Falcons set two marks following a setback to BYU in their last outing as they connected on a three-pointer in 469 consecutive games and dropped back-to-back home games against the same team for the first time since the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons.

Frogs Closing in on 400th Victory at the DMC
• Following a 74-72 victory over New Mexico on Tuesday (Jan. 15), the Purple and White recorded their 396th triumph inside the confines of the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum since its' opening on December 18, 1961.

Charity Stripe Blues
• This season, the Frogs have steadily improved on their shooting percentage at the charity stripe as the Purple and White has connected on 65.0 percent (265-of-408) of their free throw attempts compared to 65.1 percent (233-of-358) for their opponents. The Frogs notched a perfect 15-of-15 against UNLV on January 30th.

• Of the 10 players that have attempted 10 or more free throws - only three players (Kevin Langford, Brent Hackett and Mike Scott) are shooting above 70.0 percent at the charity stripe.

• The Frogs have started to improve their free throw shooting ability since the beginning of Mountain West Conference action as the Purple and White have connected on 78.0 percent (78-of-100) of their attempts.

• The Purple and White has connected on 70.5 percent (79-of-112) of their free throw attempts on the road compared to a shooting percentage of 62.8 percent (186-of-296) at the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.

Always Be Ready to Play
• In Neil Dougherty's system, every player has to be ready to play at any given time. This season, all 14 players that have suited up for TCU have played - that feat wasn't reached until the 24th game on the road at Colorado State during the 2006-07 campaign. This season - all 14 players on the roster have played at least five games.

Home-Grown Talent Pays Dividends for Horned Frogs
• The Horned Frogs will get plenty of action from a quintet of Dallas/Fort Worth talents in Brent Hackett (Southwest H.S.), Kevin Langford (North Crowley H.S.), Ryan Wall (Coppell H.S.), Daniel Ford (Aledo H.S.) and Luke Tauscher (Southwest H.S.).

• Hackett was the first player that Neil Dougherty signed from the Dallas/Fort Worth Area when he became head men's basketball coach at TCU. Langford also had ties with Dougherty as his brother, Keith, was a recruited and coached by Dougherty at the University of Kansas.

• A pair of honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference players last season, Hackett and Langford are currently ranked first and third on the Frogs in scoring average at 14.5 points and 11.9 points per game.

• Ryan Wall is in his second season with the Frogs' program after spending a pair of seasons at the University of New Mexico. The TCU guard connected on the game-winning three-pointer to defeat the Lobos on Jan. 15th. Wall's shot was ranked fifth on SportsCenter's Plays of the Day on Wednesday (Jan. 16th).

• TCU newcomer Luke Tauscher sat out last season due to an injury, but the 6-11 center has averaged 2.1 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in his 16 games on the floor for the Frogs.

Frogs Adding a Little Salter to Their Diet
• TCU newcomer Henry Salter has made a tremendous impact on the Frogs' lineup in his first season with the program as he has collected 10 or more points in 16 of the team's 19 games. Following an ankle injury against UNLV, the Frogs' guard is listed as questionable for the game against Air Force.

• The TCU junior is currently ranked second in the country in three-point field goal percentage as he has connected on 52.4 percent of his attempts and 36th in three-point field goals made per game.

• Salter is ranked 10th in the Mountain West Conference in scoring average (14.1 P-G) and 16th in rebounds per game (5.1) and is the only player in the conference to be ranked in the top-15 in six statistical categories.

• The former NJCAA All-American is also ranked first in the Mountain West Conference in three-point field goals made per game with an average of 3.00 treys per contest and has connected on at least four three-pointers in each of the Frogs' four of six conference games. Salter has connected on 61.3 percent (19-of-31) of his three-point field goal attempts against conference opponents.

The "Langford" Road Home
• Kevin Langford is picking up where he left off last season as the Fort Worth native is ranked first on the team in scoring average (14.9 P-G) and leads the Frogs in free throws made (101), free throw attempts (137) and free throw percentage (73.7%).

• The TCU forward was selected as the Mountain West Conference Player of the Week on December 24th after averaging 24.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in a pair of victories for the Frogs. Langford scored a career-high 31 points against Prairie View A&M and became the first player since Junior Blunt during the 2001-02 season to score 30 or more points in a game.

• Langford is riding a 17-game double-digit scoring streak and currently holds the longest streak among all players in the Mountain West Conference for double-digit scoring performances.

The Hackett Man
• An honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference performer last season, Hackett is enjoying another standout season as the TCU senior is ranked first on the team in three-point field goals attempts (125), second in three-point field goals made (38) and third in scoring average (11.9 P-G).

• During his career with the Frogs - Hackett has appeared in 111 career games and has earned a spot in the starting lineup on 76 occasions - missing only four starts in the last three seasons.

• Hackett has been one of the top scorers for the Frogs over the last four seasons as he has collected 10 or more points in 49 career games - 13 (Senior) / 18 (Junior) / 18 (Sophomore). The TCU senior has recorded 981 career points to go along with 174 career three-pointers - which ranks seventh in the TCU career record books.

• Hackett is currently ranked seventh in the Mountain West Conference in three-point field goals made per game (2.0 3FGM-G) and has connected on at least one trey in 16 of 19 games this season.

Welcome to the Parker's
• Alvardo Parker has been one of the main defensive standouts for the Frogs this season as the TCU forward is ranked fourth in the Mountain West Conference in blocked shots per game (1.16 B-G) and 18th in rebounds per game (5.0 R-G).

• The TCU senior has recorded 82 career blocked shots with the Frogs - which ranks him for sixth place in the all-time record books. Parker needs four more blocked shots to surpass Craig Sibley for fifth place in the record books.

• Parker has notched at least one blocked shot in 15 of 19 games this season and is ranked 17th among the career leaders for the Mountain West Conference in that statistical category.

• This is only the fourth year of organized basketball for the Turks & Caicos Islands' native as he spent his first two seasons at Frank Phillips Junior College followed by his TCU career.

Team Filled with Mr. Cleans
• This season, the Frogs are averaging 37.5 rebounds per game - which ranks them 76th in the nation in that statistical category. The Purple and White is ranked seventh in the State of Texas in boards per game behind Texas State, Sam Houston State, Texas A&M, University of North Texas, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and University of Texas-Arlington.

• At one point in the season - the Frogs were ranked as high as fourth in the nation in rebounds per game, but have struggled grabbing boards on the road where they are averaging 32.1 boards per contest compared to 40.6 rebounds at the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.

• In games that the Frogs win - the Purple and White is averaging 42.5 boards per evening compared to 30.5 rebounds per game in contests where TCU suffers a defeat.

It's All About the Ebie, Baby!
• TCU sophomore Jason Ebie has been an important ingredient in the Frogs' lineup as the Purple and White point guard is ranked 39th in the nation among NCAA Division I players in steals per game with 2.11 picks per evening.

• Ebie is ranked second in the Mountain West Conference in steals per game (2.11 S-G) and ninth in assists per game (3.21 A-G). The TCU guard is one of two players in the Mountain West Conference to be ranked in the top-10 in both statistical departments along with UNLV's Wink Adams.

• The Houston native has recorded three of more steals in seven of 19 games and collected at least one steal in 18 of 19 contests. The TCU sophomore has started five of six Mountain West Conference games this season where he is averaging 6.8 points, 3.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game while appearing in 23.7 minutes per evening.

Great Scott!
• TCU newcomer Mike Scott has made an immediate impact on the Frogs' lineup as the freshman has started in 14 of 19 games. Scott is averaging 4.6 points and 2.7 assists per game this season while hitting on 41.4 percent of his shots.

• The Frogs' point guard scored a career-high 11 points on two occasions during his rookie campaign with the Purple and White against SMU and Jackson State. Scott has notched five or more points in eight games this season.

• Though he's only a freshman, Scott is not the youngest member for TCU as the Philadelphia native is 21-years-old.

Neon Keion in Primetime
• Sophomore Keion Mitchem has given the Frogs an added burst of energy off of the bench as the TCU guard is averaging 4.3 points and 1.2 rebounds per game while connecting on 42.6 percent of his field goal attempts. Mitchem has scored five or more points in eight of 19 games - including a season-high nine points three times as a sophomore.

• The TCU guard has surpassed a career-high in games as he saw action in 15 contests during the 2006-07 season.

Standing "O" for Ortiz
• TCU newcomer John Ortiz has played a pivotal role for the Frogs in the low post as he is averaging 5.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game - which ranks him 13th in the conference. Ortiz has done a tremendous job at getting to the free throw line where he is ranked second on the team in free throw attempts (48) and third in free throws made (26).

• Ortiz notched his first collegiate start against the University of Wyoming where he posted a career-high 11 rebounds and scored a career-high 13 points versus Colorado State in his third start of the season.

Never Shy Away from the National Spotlight
• Neil Doughery is not one to shy away from a nationally-ranked opponent as the Frogs have competed against 17 squads ranked in the top-25 during his tenure. To put the numbers into perspective - TCU played 19 nationally-ranked teams during the entire decade of the 90s - a span of 303 games.

• The Frogs has recorded four victories over nationally-ranked opponents during Dougherty's tenure with their latest victim coming against 14th-ranked Air Force Academy where TCU notched a 71-66 win in February of 2007 - snapping a six-game losing skid against nationally-ranked opponents.

• TCU is 12-89 (.118) all-time against nationally-ranked teams and has dropped 16 of its last 18 match-ups against teams ranked in the top-25.

• The Frogs haven't had much success against nationally-ranked opponents on the road as they have dropped 48 of 49 match-ups when away from the DMC. Their lone victory came against Hawaii (83-79) on January 19, 1998.

Close Encounters of the Trey Kind
• TCU has made at least one three-pointer in 300 consecutive games dating back to the 1997-98 season where the last time that the Frogs failed to connect on a trey came against LIU-Brooklyn on November 22, 1997. The Frogs have connected on at least one three-pointer in 517 of their last 518 games.

• Prior to the failed connection, TCU recorded a three-pointer in 217 straight games dating back to the 1989-90 season when the Longhorns of Texas stopped the Frogs on February 11, 1990.

• This season, the Purple and White has connected on at least seven three-pointers in 16 of their 19 games and are ranked fourth in the Mountain West Conference in three-point field goals made per game (7.89 3FGM-G).

Home Sweet Home
• The Frogs have posted a mark of 396-233 (.630) since Daniel-Meyer Coliseum opened during the 1961-62 campaign.

• Over the past decade, the Purple and White has recorded a 136-58 (.701) overall record and have won at least 10 games at home in seven of the last 10 seasons - including 10 victories during the 2007-08 campaign at the DMC.

• The Frogs have won 18 of their last 26 games at the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum, including eight of their last 10 games on their home court. The Frogs have dropped two home games this season to Oklahoma and UNLV.

Finding Nemo
• Senior Neiman Owens is one of the most experienced players on the Frogs as the TCU guard has appeared in 112 career games - including 60 starts during his career with the Purple and White. Owens did not start against Angelo State in the season opener - which snapped his 60-game starting streak that dated back to the 2005-06 season.

• Owens competed in his 100th career game for the Purple and White on December 5th against SMU and reached another milestone against UT Arlington as he recorded his 400th career point for the Frogs.

• The TCU senior has collected at least two rebounds in 17 of 19 games this season with a season-high seven boards coming against Jackson State. Owens notched one of his best all-around games against Grambling State where he collected six points, six assists and six rebounds in 18 minutes of action in the Frogs' home victory.

The Wall
• Even though TCU has only been a member of the Mountain West Conference for three seasons, Ryan Wall has been affiliated with the MWC in each of his five collegiate years. Wall was a member of the University of New Mexico for two seasons (2003-04 and 2004-05) before transferring to TCU prior to the start of the 2005-06 campaign. After a red-shirt campaign during the 2005-06 campaign, Wall has appeared in 49 career games while wearing the Purple and White.

• Wall connected on the game-winning three-pointer with 1.5 seconds remaining to give the Purple and White a 74-72 victory over the University of New Mexico on January 15. The TCU senior was highlighted on SportsCenter's Top-10 Plays of the Day as it registered as the number-five Play of the Day.

Cool Hand Luke
• After missing the 2006-07 season due to back surgery, Luke Tauscher made his return to the Frogs' lineup this season where he has averaged 9.0 minutes of court time. On eight occasions, the TCU freshman has played in 10 or more minutes and has recorded at least four rebounds in six of 16 games this season.

• Tauscher recorded his first career double-digit rebounding performance against Rice where he grabbed 12 boards and is ranked fifth among all freshmen in the Mountain West Conference with a 3.4 rebounds per game average.

Family Ties
• Anyone affiliated with the TCU men's basketball program knows that Neil Dougherty presents a family environment for the Frogs. Once a member of the basketball program, you quickly become a member of the family.

• Dougherty had the opportunity to coach his son, Neil P., for four seasons, and now assistant coach, Sean Woods, will also have the same opportunity as his son, Martiese Morones, is a sophomore with the Frogs.

• Woods was a standout at the University of Kentucky where he was a member of the "Unforgettables" on the 1992 team that fell 104-103 to Duke in the NCAA Elite Eight in what is considered the greatest college basketball game of all-time. A member of the University of Kentucky Hall of Fame, Woods connected on the shot to give the Wildcats a 103-102 lead on the Blue Devils before Christian Laettner connected on the shot heard round the world.

The Scoring Frenzy
• Three times during the 2007-08 campaign, every member of the Purple and White that saw action on the court scored at least one point in the game. The Frogs accomplished this feat against Angelo State, Grambling State and Colorado State. The same feat was reached twice all of last season against San Diego State and Air Force.

Putting 40 Minutes Together
• The Frogs have been successful in the first half of action where the Purple and White have built up a lead heading into intermission in 12 of their first 17 games. The Frogs have notched a 9-3 mark when leading at halftime with their three losses coming against Texas Tech, SMU and Rice.

The Woes of the Road
• The Frogs have dropped all three road decisions this season where they have held a double-digit lead against Texas Tech, SMU and Rice. The Purple and White has dropped decisions in all three contests when holding a second half lead of 10 or more points and suffered a setback to Texas where they had an early first half seven-point advantage.

• With a victory at Colorado State, the Frogs snapped their 12-game road losing streak, but have dropped 13 of their last 14 games. In the Mountain West Conference, the road victory over the Rams was the second victory in league action.

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