Can West Virginia win the battle in the paint at TCU?

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Feb 18, 2026; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers players listen to West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Ross Hodge during a timeout during the second half against the Utah Utes at Hope Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images | Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026

Tipoff Time: 5:00PM ET

Location: Schollmaier Arena — Fort Worth, Texas

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Broadcast Information​


Channel: NBC Sports Network/Peacock

Streaming: Peacock

Announcers: James Westling and Jordan Cornette

Radio: Mountaineer Sports Network (Radio Affiliates) | SiriusXM Channel 381 and Streaming Channel 971 | WVU Gameday App (Apple | Android)

Radio Announcers: Tony Caridi and Brad Howe

Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.


Betting Odds


Get in on the action with our friends at FanDuel Sportsbook.

  • West Virginia: +5.5 points | +210 ML
  • TCU: -5.5 points | -260 ML
  • Over/Under: 131.5 total points

(As of 11:30AM ET/February 21, 2026)


Game Preview


West Virginia heads to Fort Worth this evening needing a response after Wednesday’s 61–56 loss to Utah dropped them to 7–6 in Big 12 play and out of the latest bracket projections. The Mountaineers (16–10 overall) let an early deficit and a rough night on the glass define the game, getting out-rebounded by double digits and leaving eight points at the free throw line. They nearly climbed out of another second-half hole, but this time there wasn’t a late swing waiting at the end of it.

TCU (16–10, 6–7 Big 12) is sitting in the same crowded middle tier of the league and coming off a loss of their own at UCF. The Horned Frogs are currently just outside the NCAA field in most projections.

As with all Jamie Dixon teams, the Horned Frogs rebound, play through contact, and pressure the paint well. David Punch and Xavier Edmonds — both north of 245 pounds — combine for more than 26 points and nearly 13 rebounds per game. They can face up and drive it, and TCU leads the league in free throw attempts and shots at the rim. If you don’t stay in front, you’re sending them to the line.

West Virginia has survived this season by defending without fouling and keeping games in the half court. When that slips, the margin gets thin quickly. Utah turned second chances and free throws into separation on Wednesday. TCU will try to do the same thing.

Defensively, the Horned Frogs will be aggressive in ball-screen coverages. They’ll trap, put two on the ball, and crowd the post. That puts pressure on West Virginia’s decision-making and ball security, particularly early. The Mountaineers have been down double digits in several conference games before finding their footing. Doing that again on the road is a dangerous way to live.

For West Virginia, the plan isn’t complicated. Guard the paint. Finish possessions with rebounds. Make the free ones. And avoid spending the first six minutes trying to find a rhythm while the Horned Frogs dictate it.

By the Numbers​

CategoryWest VirginiaTCU
Record16-10 (7-6 Big 12)16-10 (6-7 Big 12)
Points Per Game69.678.6
Points Allowed Per Game63.772.5
Field Goal %44.4%45.3%
3PT FG %33.4%33.2%
Free Throw %67.3%71.0%
Rebounds Per Game34.935.8
Assists Per Game12.715.6
Turnovers Forced Per Game11.613.8
Turnovers Committed Per Game11.011.3
Leading ScorerHonor Huff – 15.5 ppgDavid Punch – 14.2 ppg
Leading RebounderHarlan Obioha – 5.1 rpg
Brenen Lorient – 5.1 rpg
David Punch — 6.7 rpg


Probable Starters​

No.PlayerPositionHeightClassStats
1Jasper FloydG6-3Sr.7.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg
3Honor HuffG5-10Sr.15.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg
52Treysen EaglestaffG6-6Sr.9.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg
0Brenen LorientF6-9Sr.11.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg
55Harlan ObiohaC7-0Sr.5.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg

Series History​


Saturday marks the 28th all-time meeting between West Virginia and TCU, with the Mountaineers holding a 19–8 advantage in the series.

WVU controlled the series early, winning the first 11 meetings between the two programs. TCU didn’t break through until Jan. 22, 2018, when the Horned Frogs picked up their first series win in Schollmaier Arena.

Since then, the series has been far more competitive, especially in Fort Worth. West Virginia has dropped four straight at Schollmaier Arena and is just 1–7 in its last eight trips there, turning what was once a one-sided matchup into one that now swings heavily on venue.

Prediction​


This feels like one of those nights where West Virginia leans into the frustration from Wednesday instead of shrinking from it.

They’ve heard all week about slow starts and missed chances. They’ve lived on the edge in league play, but they’ve also shown they can close on the road when it’s tight. If they rebound at even an average level and keep TCU off the foul line enough to avoid the avalanche effect, they’ll be there in the last four minutes.

West Virginia 66, TCU 64


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