Houston Baptist at TCU 11/25/20 - College Basketball Picks & Predictions

The Houston Baptist Huskies visit Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, Texas to play the TCU Horned Frogs in the opening game of the regular season for both. Last season Houston Baptist was 4-25 overall and 4-16 in the Southland Conference. The Huskies didn't have a problem scoring points averaging over 80.1 per game, which was ranked No. 11, but out of 350 teams in the NCAA Division 1, Houston Baptist was ranked 350th in points allowed at 93.9 per game

Houston must replace its leading scorer from last Ian DuBose, who transfered to Wake Forest, but returning players Philip McKenzie and Ryan Gomes mixed in with three junior college transfers and three freshmen will make a solid base for a better defensive team this season. In addition, Jason Thompson returns after playing just four games last season ago before suffering an injury. Hunter Janacek who missed all of last season with an injury could be the most valuable player for the Huskies if fully recovered.

TCU was 16-16 overall and 7-11 in the Big 12 last season. The biggest loss for the Horned Frogs is Desmond Bane who averaged 16.6 points per game last season but RJ Nembhard, who averaged 12.1 points per game and Kevin Samuel, who averaged 10.0 points per game, are back. Four other players that saw playing time last season also return. In addition, TCU has two graduate transfers and five freshmen joining the roster.

Nembhard and Samuel will be one of the best inside outside duos in the Big 12. Francisco Farabello, Deante Smith and PJ Fuller return after playing limited minutes last season but should see more action in 2020-21. Transfer Kevin Easley and played at Chattanooga for one season where he was Freshman of the Year but did not play last year, while transfer Chuck O'Bannon was a five-star recruit when joining USC but never saw much success there due to injuries.