TCU men's basketball team achieved a much-needed victory on Thursday against Xavier. This win marked a significant milestone as it was their best non-conference win of the season. Frankie Collins stepped up big time, leading the team with 16 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal on 7-13 FG. His performance was even more remarkable considering Noah Reynolds was ruled out with a wrist injury.

Impact of Noah Reynolds' Injury

Noah Reynolds' absence was a significant blow to TCU. With him out, Vasean Allette started in his place and scored 8 points on 3-12 shooting. This made Collins' massive game even more crucial. Frankie Collins has been TCU's most consistent player all year, and he once again showed his mettle with this strong performance.

Lineup Changes by Jamie Dixon

Jamie Dixon made a strategic move by changing the starting lineup for the Frogs against Xavier. Freshman big man David Punch started alongside center Ernest Udeh Jr. for the first time this season. This addition aimed to enhance the team's rebounding and interior defense. Jamie Dixon had emphasized rebounding and the size of Xavier before the game, and this lineup change was a step in that direction.

Improvement in Rebounding

TCU had been struggling with rebounding recently. However, in this game against Xavier, both teams had 31 rebounds. There was a noticeable improvement compared to the past few games. This move in the lineup seemed to have a positive impact on the team's rebounding efforts. It is likely that Jamie Dixon will stick with this lineup considering the success it brought.

Clutch Plays in the Final Stretch

TCU was tested throughout the game and needed clutch plays in the final minutes. They fell down six points with 7:28 to play but managed to turn things around. Brendan Wenzel had 9 points in the final 7:03 to help TCU take the lead. The big play came in a tie game with about a minute left when Ernest Udeh Jr. poked the ball loose, leading to a Vasean Allette layup. These clutch plays were crucial in securing the victory.From that point on, TCU got stops and hit their free throws, leading to a much-needed win. Considering their poor late-game execution in the previous week against Santa Clara and Colorado State, this was a great sight to see. TCU's players like Brendan Wenzel, Ernest Udeh Jr., and Frankie Collins played a vital role in this victory.Want to join the discussion? Click here to become a member of the Killer Frogs message board community today! Follow KillerFrogs on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest TCU news! Follow KillerFrogs on Facebook and Instagram as well.