TCU's biggest star isn't being shy about his confidence as the No. 9 seed Horned Frogs prepare to play No. 8 seed Ohio State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
TCU forward David Punch is banking on his squad's physicality and talent ahead of its tilt with the Buckeyes at 12:15 p.m. Thursday on CBS.
“I think at the end of the day we win this nine times out of 10 because of how physically gifted we are as a team and athletically gifted,” Punch told Adam Jardy of The Columbus Dispatch. “I can’t wait to see how we play.”
The sophomore Punch has evolved into TCU's top weapon playing from his power forward position, recording team-highs in points (14.3), rebounds (6.7) and blocks (2) per game. He and center Xavier Edmunds, both weighing in at 245 pounds, have proven capable rim protectors despite their 6-foot-7 and 6-foot-8 heights.
“We’re a very physical team and we have a lot of heart, more heart than a lot of people,” Punch said. “I think it’s just that dedication to each other as well. We want to go out there and play for each other. Height never really matters.”
Punch's “nine times out of 10” declaration doesn't match what the two teams bring on paper, however. Each side ended the season hot. Ohio State started March on a four-game winning streak to rise to a No. 8 seed while TCU won nine of its final 10 games before both teams fell in the quarterfinals of their respective conference tournaments.
TCU features the more efficient defense, giving up just 102.3 points per 100 possessions, good for 68th of college basketball's 365 teams, with Ohio State allowing 108.2. The Buckeyes are much more efficient on offense, however, racking up 118.6 points per 100 possessions (35th nationally) to the Horned Frogs' 111.1.
It should be a great battle for survival on Thursday. Perhaps Punch's words provide extra motivation for Ohio State – not that it needs much more in its first NCAA Tournament in four years.
