TCU Basketball: How the Roster Stands

TCU head basketball coach, Jim Christian, may still add another player to his 2011-2012 roster, but it is unlikely that that player will change the landscape of the current roster too drastically.

At the point guard position, Jim Christian has 2010 Bob Cousy Award finalist, Hank Thorns who was not only TCU’s most productive player on the court last season, but he has also been a great leader for a team that needed it often in 2010. Thorns has just one season left since he transferred after two years at Virginia Tech.

Throughout this upcoming season, Thorns will serve as the perfect example to young freshman point guard Kyan Anderson who had originally committed to Providence before decommitting after Keno Davis was fired as their head coach. Anderson is likely to be the starting point guard in 2 years when Jim Christian’s brigade lands in the Big East. Thorns, having played in the ACC before will instill in Anderson several valuable lessons from how to prepare to how to attack athletic defenses. Anderson may also play on the wing some this season.

At the off guard and small forward positions, Jim Christian is loaded with options who will all spar for playing time in summer and fall preseason practice. Garlon Green and Amric Fields both return from strong campaigns in 2010-2011.

Green will be a junior and will be relied on by Christian to be a consistent threat on the offensive end as well as a versatile defender. His size and length enable him to guard both wing players and power forwards. Fields is also very versatile, and has used this offseason to improve his body and strength. Fields has tremendous talent, but he was overmatched physically at times during his freshman season. More strength could make Fields one of the Mountain West Conference’s most surprising and threatening players in 2011-2012.

Senior JR Cadot will also play heavily on the wing. Cadot is supremely athletic and was TCU’s best defender and rebounder last season. Along with Green, Fields, and Cadot, newcomers Connell Crossland, Jarvis Ray, and Nate Butler will all fight for playing time this preseason as well. The rotation on the wing for Christian will likely not be decided until closer to the season, but TCU’s depth and upgraded talent there is undeniable.

Ray is an interesting player for Frogs fans to watch this upcoming season. Ray has a lot of talent, but seemed tentative at times in his first year in Fort Worth. Earlier this summer, assistant coach Cody Hopkins said, “J Ray [will be] on campus for both summer sessions this year. He is working hard to improve his strength and consistency. He is shooting everyday and hoping to have a breakout year.”

With 8 guards who can contribute, Christian will have a lot of options and ways to mix up his lineup this upcoming season.

Finally, at the power forward or center position, gone are the Serbian Nikolas, and in are Adrick McKinney and Ryan Rhoomes. McKinney brings toughness and an all-around physical game that TCU lacked at times last season. Jim Christian knew that his team needed to get more physical as it prepared to join the Big East and with McKinney, Christian did just that.

With Rhoomes, Christian gets a talented freshman who can play with his back to the basket and has a vast array of moves for just a freshman.

The wildcard at this position is Cheick Kone. Kone is a 6’10, 240 pound athletic specimen who was still developing his game last season and played sparingly. How Kone has improved this offseason will make a big difference in the amount of depth that Christian has on the interior. If Kone does not receive more significant minutes, Garlon Green and Amric Fields may find themselves moving back and forth between the wing and 4-man spots. Wherever they find themselves, they can provide a matchup problem for the opponent.

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