TCU Men's Basketball Advances to Round of 32 with Win Over Arizona State

A game winning shot by JaKobe Coles with 1.5 seconds left completed a 11 point comeback for TCU.

The TCU Horned Frogs opened up play in the NCAA March Madness tournament Friday night as the no. 6 seed taking on the no. 11 seed Arizona State. It took some late game heroics by Mike Miles and JaKobe Coles to secure a 72-70 win and a chance to fight another day.

TCU got off to a red hot start jumping out to a 15-4 lead. It was important for the Frogs to settle in quickly. However, the Sun Devils got their shots to fall, heavily relying on the three-point shot. ASU scored 98 points in their play-in game against Nevada. Six threes in the first half highlighted a 44-37 advantage for ASU.

The Horned Frogs tightened up on defense in the second half moving to the full court pressure and swarming the perimeter to force ASU into some bad shots. It was all Miles in the second half repeatedly getting to the free throw line. Miles finished with 26 points, four rebounds, and three assists despite dealing with a knee injury after an awkward landing on a dunk in the first half. Miles said, "I was going to go back regardless. I wanted to help my team. This is a big tournament and I'm a big time player so that's what it's about."

Chuck O'Bannon Jr. was a big part of this game knocking down three from beyond the arc adding four rebounds, a block and a steal. Damion Baugh had 11 points, six rebounds and eight assists including a huge three to tie it up late. 

With 32 seconds left, Baugh knocked down two free throws to give TCU a 69-67 lead. Another free throw by Miles gave the Frogs a three point lead but ASU responded with a huge three by DJ Horne. The Frogs had the final possession and capitalized when Coles drove to the rim and made a floater to give TCU the win.

JAKOBE!!!pic.twitter.com/TLpDAGgi4h

— TCU Men's Basketball (@TCUBasketball) March 18, 2023

Last season, Coles averaged 2.7 PPG on 8.7 MPG. This year, he has stepped into a big role and has become a massive part of this team. This is what March is about. There is just something magical in the air in Fort Worth. There have been so many memorable moments in the last year from TCU athletics and last night added to the magic. 

TCU advances to the round of 32 in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1952-53. They will take on the No. 3 seed Gonzaga Bulldogs tomorrow night at 8:40 on TBS. TCU will look to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1968.

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