So, what will head coach Mark Campbell and the TCU Horned Frogs do for an encore? Because last season was just about as good as it gets.
The Horned Frogs had a seismic season, one that saw them win the Big 12 for the first time and reach the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the first time. Campbell may have envisioned that success and he had the tools to make it happen — Hailey Van Lith, Madison Conner and Sedona Prince. Now, he must prove he can sustain it.
Here is a preview of the TCU Horned Frogs.
TCU Horned Frogs
2024-25: 34-3, 16-2 in Big 12, won regular season title. Beat Baylor to win Big 12 Tournament title. Reached Elite Eight of NCAA Tournament.
Head coach: Mark Campbell is entering his third season as head coach at TCU. He is 55-16 in two seasons and is 94-40 in four seasons as a head coach. He started his head-coaching career at Sacramento State in 2021.
Big 12 history: TCU joined the Big 12 in 2012. The Horned Frogs were members of the Southwest Conference but was not invited to join the Big 12 when the SWC broke up. TCU won its first regular season and conference tournament titles last year.
TCU 2025-26 Roster Review
Gone: G Madison Conner (14.4 ppg), F Deasia Merrill (3.9 ppg), G Una Jovanovic (2.0 ppg), G Hailey Van Lith (17.9 ppg), G Knisha Godfrey (1.7 ppg), C Sedona Prince (17.2 ppg), G Ella Hamlin (0.4 ppg), G Agnes Emma-Nnopu (6.5 ppg), F DaiJa Turner (0.1 ppg).
Returning: G Taylor Bigby (5.9 ppg), G Donovyn Hunter (5.9 ppg), F Natalie Mazurek (1.2 ppg), G Maddie Scherr (did not play due to injury), F Aaliyan Roberson (4.7 ppg), F Natalie Mazurek (1.2 ppg)
Incoming transfers: C Kennedy Basham (5.7 ppg at Arizona State), G Veronica Sheffey (11.2 ppg at San Diego State), G Olivia Miles (14.2 ppg for her career Notre Dame), F Marta Suarez (12.9 ppg at Cal), C Clara Silva (4.0 ppg at Kentucky), G Taliyah Parker (5.4 ppg at Texas A&M)
Incoming freshmen: C Sarah Portlock, G Clara Bielefeld, C Emily Hunter
Projected Starting Lineup
G Olivia Miles: A national player of the year candidate who would have been a Top 3 WNBA pick had she left ND after last season.
G Maddie Scherr: Did not play last year due to injury but averaged 12 points and four assists at Kentucky.
G Veronica Sheffey: Was a 37% 3-point shooter at San Diego State.
F Marta Suarez: Also grabbed more than seven rebounds per game last season.
C Kennedy Basham: Wasn’t the scorer Prince was last season, but at 6-foot-7 she’s imposing and rebounds well.
Starting Lineup Crashers
G Taylor Bigby: She gave the Horned Frogs quality minutes. She can challenge for a starting spot, especially if Campbell wants to go small.
F Aaliyah Roberson: Last year’s backup forward should be given a chance to claim a starting role.
Lineup Competition
This roster has insane height. Campbell won’t have to use it all. But 11 players are 6-foot or taller and five of them are 6-foot-4 or taller. The Horned Frogs won’t have any problem competing inside, with Suarez, Basham and Silva. Basham is slotted in to start but Silva will work her way into the rotation and might be the better fit in certain matchups. For the second straight year Campbell pulled off a transfer portal coup in getting Miles to pass up the WNBA to transfer from Notre Dame (it was in her best interest financially to wait, as the WNBA must negotiate a new CBA and there should be more money for rookies next year). With Miles, Scherr and Sheffey, the Horned Frogs have quality guard play and solid depth. Bigby, Hunter and Roberson will push for minutes and potential starting spots based on matchups.
Early Prediction
Last year’s season was historic and magic but that’s done with. A head coach only gets one of those and Campbell used it up. Now, it’s about sustaining that success. He now has a proven ability to work the transfer portal, starting with Prince and Conner two years ago, Van Lith a year ago and now Miles this season. That alone makes TCU a threat to repeat as Big 12 champions. Expect TCU to have a great record going into league action (the non-conference is a cakewalk, aside from paying NC State back with a trip to Raleigh). Plus, there’s the Correta Scott King Classic against Ohio State in January. Expect TCU to be among the top four teams in the league with an inside track to repeat as champions.
