The BYU Cougars and TCU Horned Frogs continue Big 12 Conference men’s basketball action on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas.
Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. central on ESPN2. The Cougars (10-4, 1-2 in Big 12) are currently unranked, while the Horned Frogs (8-6, 1-2 in Big 12) are also unranked.
Saturday’s match up features two teams coming off losses. BYU fell to Texas Tech 72-67 earlier in the week, while TCU was blown out at No. 12 Houston 65-46. Iowa State, Houston and Arizona are the only undefeated Big 12 teams in conference play so far, showing off the competitiveness of this league as we get set for the second Saturday of league play.
Here is a preview of the game.
How to Watch BYU vs. TCU Basketball
Date: Saturday, January 11, 2025
Time: 1 p.m. CT
TV Channel: ESPN2
Site: Schollmaier Arena, Fort Worth, Texas
BYU vs. TCU Basketball Betting Odds, Lines
Opening Line: BYU -1
Current Line: BYU -2
Over/Under: 138
Related: Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: Two Newcomers in the Top 5
BYU vs. TCU Basketball Predictions
Well, with both teams three games into conference play, they hold identical records, and both have a blowout loss to Houston on the resume. TCU lost by 19 in Houston on Monday night, while BYU lost at Houston by 29 last Saturday.
TCU has really been bad on defense through three Big 12 games, allowing teams to shoot over 47% from the field, which is second-worst in the conference, only ahead of UCF. Both these teams are two of the worst at rebounding in conference play as well.
Needless to say, both teams need this win to get back on track and feel like the season isn’t slipping out of reach before mid-January.
For BYU, it’s been a tough couple of games for Richie Saunders, who has a combined 15 points his last two games after dropping 30 vs. Arizona State. I believe he can get back on track on this game against a TCU team that has struggled defensively.
Also, BYU has much more depth than TCU. Last time out for the Horned Frogs, TCU’s starters scored every point until the final 30 seconds, and the reserves finished with two points.
Give me the deeper, more consistent team with the better offense heading into this match up in Fort Worth.
BYU 75, TCU 68
ESPN Matchup Predictor: BYU (51% Chance of Winning)
