Photo Credit: TCU Athletics/Gregg Ellman
SAN DIEGO, CA – This was a hard pill to swallow as No. 9 lost to No. 1 Arizona in overtime on Sunday night. The Frogs came up short 80-75 and the look in TCU’s eyes at the end of the game as the head coach from Arizona tried to console Eddie Lmapkin was emotional to say the least.
The Frogs put their all into this game from start to finish. The first half went back and forth as both teams were looking for a spot in the sweet 16. TCU got down five points but never let up, they went into the half down 39-36.
Second half was exactly like the first. Both teams went back and forth and the game ended with a no foul call on Mike Miles which changed the whole game. The foul occurred with seven seconds left in regulation. Both teams were tied at 75-75 and instead of sending Miles to the free throw line to ice Arizona, the ball was stolen and Arizona made a layup. It was then called that the basket did not count, sending both teams into overtime.
Arizona ended up winning the game 80-75 in overtime.
Head Coach Jamie Dixon and his players were so very emotional in the post game press conference. Coach Dixon was very professional with his responses as a coach about the no call at the end of the game.
“I think everybody’s seen it and is talking about it. We’re going to handle it the right way, because that’s what we discussed. And because that’s what these guys have done. They’ve been class all year long and we’re going to handle it the right way.”
Instead of complaining about the officials Coach Dixon decided to channel his energy as his team and how proud he was of the season.
“I’m so proud of this team, what they became…TCU basketball, they made millions of fans tonight. The challenge now is to handle it the right way.”
Three TCU players scored 20 points or more, Chuck O’Bannon led 23 points, five rebounds and one assist. Mike Miles and Eddie Lampkin also scored 20 a piece.
“This season was everything for us, because we weren’t even expected to be here. For us to win our first game and be that close with the No. 1 seed just shows that we have a bunch of guys with a lot of grit. That’s all you can ask for.”
Chuck O’Bannon Jr. stated after the game while holding back tears.
This is the end of TCU’s season and Arizona will head to the sweet 26. We can see Dixon and his team next season for the 2022-23 season.
