Cumulative Report Cards
Bench leads to late-season strength for basketball team

Skiff staff member Matt Stiver evaluates the performances of players and coaches of the 2000-2001 men’s basketball team (season averages in parentheses).

(G) Larry Allaway: B- (5.1 points, 2.7 assists) The senior point guard provided valuable minutes and leadership off the bench. After Greedy Daniels’ dismissal, Allaway saw his minutes increase. Allaway took care of the ball, often in games late, with solid ball handling.

(F) Myron Anthony: Withdrew (24 games: 14.3 points, 7.4 rebounds) Before his dismissal and a sprained ankle, Anthony was steadily increasing his scoring and inside presence. He was one of a few TCU players who could handle rough play near the basket.

(F) Ryan Carroll: B+ (17.5 points, 36 percent three-point shooting) Led the Frogs in scoring in 15 of 31 games. Carroll’s points never seemed flashy, just consistent, and that’s what TCU needed. Carroll leaves as one of eight players to score 1,400 points and finished the season with the career record.

(G) Greedy Daniels: Withdrew (25 games: 16.7 points, 5.8 assists, 4.3 steals) When Daniels was dismissed, the Frogs lost more than their best scorer and defender. They lost their soul. Daniels took his shots, but his ability to drive and dish broke down opposing defenses and created opportunities for teammates. A young TCU team will miss his talent, but even more his leadership, in Conference USA.

(C) Derrick Davenport: B (14.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.3 blocks) The team leader in rebounds and blocks, Davenport gave the Frogs an inside force. He came within one block of tying the school record (171). When forced outside, Davenport could knock down jump shots. Too often, though, he got muscled around by heavier players.

(F) Marlon Dumont: C+ (6.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.0 blocks) Transfer from Kingston, Jamaica, provided solid bench relief at power forward.

(G) Thomas McTyer: B+ (8.6 points, 4.8 assists, 46 percent three-pointers) One of only two Frogs to start every game (Carroll was the other), McTyer did what head coach Billy Tubbs’ system asks of the point guard: run the offense and play solid defense. He did not score often, but McTyer’s points often came in key moments (home wins over Tulsa and Southern Methodist). TCU will miss the senior’s steadiness.

(F) Bingo Merriex: B (14.1 points, 4.8 rebounds) Erratic while coming off the bench, Merriex found his rhythm as a starter, more than doubling his scoring and rebounding averages. An outside shooter most of the season, Merriex unveiled a post game to match his outside shot.

(G) Nucleus Smith: B+ (6.9 points, 20 minutes a game) A true freshman, Smith gained crucial experience in 30 of TCU’s 31 games, often on the floor in clutch situations. Solid on defense, Smith will continue to find his offensive game in coming years. Along with Merriex, Smith will be a cornerstone in the program for upcoming seasons.

(F) Colin Boddicker: I Played two minutes.

(F) Chris Campbell: I Played one minute.

(G) J.R. Jones: I With Allaway and McTyer graduating, Jones should compete for playing time next year.
(F) Rebel Paulk: I Saw limited action in 18 games.

Coaching: C+ Dismissing two of his top two players did not make things easier on Tubbs, yet TCU compiled another 20-win season. Talent was never a problem with this edition of the Frogs, but motivation was. Several players admitted to stretches of boredom during games. The Frogs could easily have finished 25-5. TCU played its best games against top-flight competition and laid eggs against lesser teams (see two losses to Rice). Needing wins in the WAC Tournament to better their National Invitation Tournament chances, the Frogs dropped a 20-point loss in the opener to Hawaii.