Get ready for some thrilling women's basketball action as TCU's Horned Frogs soar to new heights! The addition of Olivia Miles has sparked a buzz, propelling them to the top of the Big 12 preseason poll for the very first time in their history. But here's where it gets intriguing... despite losing key players like Hailey Van Lith and Sedona Prince, TCU's roster is still brimming with talent.
Miles, a seasoned player with four seasons under her belt at Notre Dame, is the latest transfer to join the Frogs' ranks. Coach Mark Campbell has been busy, strategically bolstering the team with transfers like Prince from Oregon and Van Lith from LSU. The results? An impressive 34-4 record in their first 30-win season, narrowly missing out on the Final Four in a heart-stopping loss to Texas.
The 2024-25 season saw TCU dominate, claiming both the regular-season and conference tournament titles. This success was built on the foundation laid by Van Lith, Prince, and Madison Conner, another talented transfer from Arizona. Van Lith's impact was recognized with a WNBA first-round pick by Chicago, while Conner also made her mark, selected in the third round by Seattle.
In the preseason poll, TCU received an impressive 10 out of 16 first-place votes from league coaches, who were prohibited from voting for their own teams. Iowa State, Baylor, and Oklahoma State followed closely behind, each receiving two first-place votes.
Miles was voted preseason newcomer of the year, following in the footsteps of Van Lith, who achieved the same honor in 2024 before being crowned the Big 12 player of the year. Miles' impressive stats speak for themselves: 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game as a second-team Associated Press All-American for the Fighting Irish.
Iowa State's Audi Crooks takes the spotlight as the preseason player of the year, leading the Big 12 with an impressive 23.4 points per game as a sophomore. The 6-foot-3 center's accuracy from the field is nothing short of remarkable.
And this is the part most people miss... Dee Alexander of Cincinnati, the first Bearcats signee to be a McDonald's All-American, was voted freshman of the year. A two-time high school player of the year in Ohio, she's one to watch.
So, what do you think? Will TCU's new additions propel them to even greater heights this season? Or will other teams challenge their dominance? Let's discuss in the comments!
