TCU, Texas Advance to Big 12 Quarterfinals

TCU 82, Oklahoma 62

TCU (18-14) was the clear class of the bottom half of the Big 12, and they showed why in an 82-63 rout of Oklahoma (11-20) in the opening round of the Big 12 Tournament. The Horned Frogs used a raucous crowd that numbered in the hundreds to propel them to a quarterfinal matchup with the top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks.

Vladimir Brodziansky scored 20 points and Kenrich Williams, despite the worst haircut in college basketball, managed to put up 19. TCU pulled away late in the first half to take a commanding 13-point lead. The Horned Frogs would never look back, and now they look forward to making a late NCAA push. A deep bubble team, TCU is not out of the picture quite yet, and a win against the No. 1 team in the nation could get them back in the conversation. Kansas will be without Big 12 Freshman of the Year, Josh Jackson, who was suspended Wednesday after he failed to report a traffic violation.

Next up: TCU vs. Kansas, 12:30 p.m., ESPN2

Texas 61, Texas Tech 52

Before the season started, I predicted Texas (11-21) to finish second in the Big 12. I expected Texas’ young but talented roster to gel late in the season, and I’m here to say, I TOLD YOU SO! The Longhorns stormed back from a nine-point deficit in the second half to get its first win away from their home court this season. OK, so the Longhorns have been a huge disappointment, but for one night they get to celebrate.

The loss capped a once-promising season for Texas Tech (18-14), who just a couple of weeks ago was battling for its second-straight NCAA berth. The Red Raiders led throughout the first round game, opening nine-point leads on multiple occasions. But a mix of hot 3-point shooting and explosive athleticism at the rim from the Longhorns put the Red Raiders away for good.

Andrew Jones led Texas with 15 points while Keenan Evans paced Tech with 11. The Longhorns will face West Virginia in the quarterfinals.

Next up: Texas vs. West Virginia, 5 p.m., ESPNU