TCU’s Three-Overtime Thriller at Baylor Encapsulates 2023-24 Big 12 Basketball
WACO, Texas — Emanuel Miller has emerged as TCU’s leader this season. He found a new way to describe the ultra-competitiveness of Big 12 basketball.
“Manage January,” he said after the Horned Frogs beat Baylor, 105-102, in triple overtime. “We’re in January and we’re playing some of the highest-level basketball you’ll see.”
There’s the traditional “rock fight” to describe the Big 12, as ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla puts it. But in the past few weeks The Athletic called the conference a “circular firing squad” and another writer referenced a “Seinfeld” quote saying that winning a road game in the Big 12 was like “accidentally finding plutonium.”
TCU (15-5, 4-3) seemed happy to live with a little radioactivity after this one.
“Great win for us,” Horned Frogs coach Jamie Dixon said. “Great game for the Big 12. I’m sure those folks were watching. It was two really good teams.”
Jameer Nelson Jr. is new to the Big 12. He transferred in from Delaware before the season. But he’s learned quickly what life is like in the Big 12. No Frog stepped up more than he did in the win, as he dropped in 30 points.
It was TCU’s first visit to Baylor’s new Foster Pavilion, a building built more like an old-school Indiana fieldhouse that features steep seating to get fans closer to the game. TCU’s players complimented that atmosphere throughout their time with the media. For Nelson, joining this conference has been a bit revelatory.
“I was just telling somebody (the other day) it’s like playing a number one team that is undefeated (every game),” Nelson said. “It’s just amazing.”
Both teams had chances to end it before overtime and during overtime. It was almost like they were enjoying themselves as much as the crowd and didn’t want it to end. One man saw someone’s press pass and told him, “Here’s your story — they (TCU) just wanted it more.”
That’s not true. Both teams wanted it bad. TCU wanted an undefeated week on the road. Baylor wanted to end its two-game losing streak. That’s why it lasted three overtimes. That’s why these two teams played 55 minutes.
Both teams shot 50% or better most of the game. Miller scored 21 points for the Horned Frogs, while Micah Peavy scored 18 and Trevian Tennyson hit for 15, including five 3-pointers. Somehow, TCU didn’t lose a player to foul trouble in spite of four starters carrying four fouls in overtime.
Baylor’s Yves Missi had a career-high 25 points, one day after he had pink eye and strep throat, according to Baylor (14-5, 3-3) coach Scott Drew. Two Bears had double-doubles — Langston Love (11 points, 10 rebounds) and RayJ Dennis (24 points, 10 assists). Ja’Kobe Walter threw in 15 points for good measure.
But it wasn’t enough. Walter stepped on the sideline with the ball while trying to get a shot off in the third overtime and that sealed the deal.
“That’s kind of been our game the last three games,” Dennis said. “One possession.”
Baylor has lost its last three games by a combined nine points. Yep, one possession. Drew is relying on a young team — two freshmen are in his starting lineup — and two transfers that, like Nelson, are running the Big 12 crucible for the first time.
Drew had a rather succinct observation even in defeat.
“Sometimes you have to get burned to learn,” Drew said.
This was a clinic in competitiveness and, in truth, what the Big 12 has become this season. Yes, the league has always been competitive. But this year is truly something special. There’s something different. Perhaps it’s the four new teams that are seeking to prove their worthiness. Perhaps it’s the program-building some of the ‘Hateful Eight’ have done to catch up to Kansas. Perhaps it’s nothing more than elite talent at every school.
Even before Cincinnati and UCF stepped on the court for the conference’s late game, three other games were decided by less than six points.
For those who remember the glory days of the Big EAST, back in the 1980s, it feels comparable. For those that don’t, this season of the Big 12 might be the closest they get.
“It felt like a March Madness game,” Miller said. “It felt like that Arizona game in the NCAA Tournament two years ago. It’s a triple overtime game in January. It’s huge. It’s not even March yet. It was a crazy atmosphere.”
And it’s only going to get better in the most competitive conference in college basketball.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
