Feeling Sweet
The TCU women's basketball team is defying the odds en route to the program's first Sweet 16.
As the clock struck zero in TCU's 85-70 win over Louisville in the second round of the NCAA Tournament yesterday evening, it was hard to imagine a more perfect moment in TCU women's basketball history. It was equally difficult to grasp how far this program has come in just two seasons since Mark Campbell took on the challenge of rebuilding the Horned Frogs into the formidable force they are today.
For the first time, a TCU basketball team — men's or women's — will be heading to the Sweet 16. Even in the wildest of dreams, this kind of turnaround seemed impossible: a team that won only one Big 12 game just two years ago is now marching into the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. It seemed impossible. But against all odds, here we are.
There aren't many words that can truly capture the emotions of TCU fans right now. Never before have we witnessed something so extraordinary. For one, nobody — except, perhaps, those within the program itself — saw this coming. Last year showed improvement, but a barrage of injuries that forced the team to forfeit a couple of games midway through the season dimmed what was otherwise a strong first year under Campbell. Even after Hailey Van Lith announced that she was transferring to TCU, the fanbase's expectations were not this high. Maybe it should've.
In recent years, Frog fans have been blessed with some magical seasons. In 2022, the football team performed a miracle (and it truly felt like it was divine) and made it to the national championship game. In 2023, the baseball team captured our hearts en route to Omaha and the College World Series. Now, the women's basketball program just stormed its way through the Big 12 and is sprinting into the Sweet 16.
The Hypnotoad magic of the football team was incredible, but there's an argument that this women's basketball run is even more improbable.
Nonetheless, it's happening. TCU is going to the Sweet 16. Cherish these moments and memories, Frog fans, because you never know when something as magical as this will come around again.
There were fleeting moments against Louisville where it looked like there might be a chance that the Frogs' unforgettable journey would be coming to an abrupt end. Louisville's press at the start of the game caused TCU some trouble, but the Horned Frogs quickly adjusted and took a 20-17 lead into the second quarter. It was in the second quarter that the Frogs simply couldn't miss. Basketball after basketball went into the hoop, causing the sold-out crowd in Schollmaier Arena to lose their ever-loving minds. It's certainly the loudest that building has been in a long time.
It was in the second half that things could've turned sideways. TCU's once-insurmountable lead — at one point a comfortable 21 points — was whittled down to just eight with 2:47 left in the game after Louisville guard Jayda Curry, who scored 41 points, was fouled on a jumper. A quick layup by Sedona Prince pushed that lead back to 10, and a minute later, Donovyn Hunter hit the dagger three.
Agnes Emma-Nnopu shot lights out and scored a season-high 23 points in what was a career game for the graduate senior from Australia. Hunter literally could not miss, going a perfect 6-for-6 from the field and scoring 18 points. When you add in those types of performances alongside the guaranteed output the team is bound to get from Van Lith, Prince, and Madison Conner, the Frogs become pretty unstoppable.
Don't get it twisted: That big three of Van Lith, Prince, and Conner is the main reason why TCU has been so successful this season. Against Louisville, they combined for 44 points and played 117 minutes (Van Lith and Prince didn't leave the floor the entire game). When the offense sputtered in the second half, it was Prince’s ability to get to the free-throw line that kept the Frogs afloat. When Van Lith was doubled up, her expert passing set up open looks. It was Conner’s knack for hitting clutch shots that sparked the offense at key moments. Those moments, combined with the wealth of experience that they all bring to the table, make them such an integral reason for TCU's success. Without that trio, who knows how everything would've shaken out? Fortunately, we don't have to imagine that alternate reality – they're here, and for that, we're all incredibly thankful.
But without Campbell, none of this would've been possible. TCU fans owe him a debt of gratitude for the incredible job he's done. Send him a thank-you card and give him a standing ovation. It's the least we could do.
The book isn't closed on this season of TCU women's basketball. A matchup with Notre Dame awaits this Saturday in Birmingham, with the winner moving on to the Elite 8. TCU already defeated the Fighting Irish earlier this season in the Cayman Islands, in what felt more like a high school gym than a neutral site game in paradise. This next edition will certainly have a much more amplified atmosphere
Regardless of whether TCU beats Notre Dame in the Sweet 16, the 2024-25 season will be remembered as a dream. Books will surely be written about this team — such is the magnitude of what they've accomplished. For the team, however, none of that matters. All that is of consequence to them is finding a way to beat Notre Dame. And that outcome? It's certainly in the cards.