As I sit here watching game tapes from last season, I can't help but feel both excited and concerned about the TCU Horned Frogs' upcoming basketball season. Having followed college basketball for over fifteen years and analyzed countless team dynamics, I've developed a pretty good sense of what separates good teams from championship contenders. The Horned Frogs showed flashes of brilliance last season, but they also displayed the exact kind of inconsistency that coach Raquel Gumabao perfectly captured in her recent statement. When she said, "Kahit naman kami sa sarili namin, alam naman namin kulang. Ang dami naming games this season na alam namin kaya namin, na napapakawalan namin," she put her finger directly on the team's central challenge - they know they're capable of winning games they ultimately let slip away.

Looking at last season's statistics, TCU dropped at least eight games that were decided by five points or fewer. That's not just bad luck - that's a pattern. When I break down those close losses, I see the same issues repeating themselves: poor clock management in the final two minutes, unnecessary fouls that put opponents on the line, and rushed offensive possessions when they should be working for better shots. These aren't talent problems - the Horned Frogs have plenty of that - these are maturity and execution issues. Gumabao's observation about her team recognizing their own shortcomings gives me hope though. Self-awareness is the first step toward improvement, and if the coaching staff can translate that awareness into specific skill development, we could see a dramatically different team this season.

The transformation needs to start with developing what I like to call "clutch genetics" - that ability to perform under pressure that distinguishes good teams from great ones. I've always believed that close games aren't won in the final minutes but through habits built during countless hours of practice. When Gumabao mentioned those moments where "dapat alam naming mature kami pero kami pa yung magkakamali," she identified the exact mental hurdle TCU must overcome. From my experience working with collegiate athletes, this comes down to creating what I call pressure inoculation - putting players through high-stress scenarios repeatedly until their performance becomes automatic rather than anxious. TCU needs to dedicate at least 30% of their practice time to situational basketball, especially end-of-game scenarios where they've struggled.

What really excites me about this team is their defensive potential. Last season, they held opponents to just 68.3 points per game, which ranked them in the top half of the Big 12 defensively. With their athleticism and length, they have the tools to become an elite defensive unit. I'd love to see them implement more full-court pressure, especially early in games to set a physical tone. Defense travels, as they say, and it's often what keeps teams in games when their offense isn't clicking. The Horned Frogs have the personnel to be disruptive - they averaged 7.2 steals per game last season - but they need to be more consistent with their defensive communication and rotation.

Offensively, TCU needs to find more scoring options beyond their primary threats. Last season, they relied too heavily on their starting backcourt, with nearly 62% of their points coming from just two players. That's not sustainable against the depth of the Big 12 conference. The development of their frontcourt players will be crucial - they need more consistent low-post scoring and better offensive rebounding. I'd like to see them increase their offensive rebounding percentage from last season's 28.7% to at least 33%. Second-chance points could be the difference in those close games they've been losing.

The schedule presents both challenges and opportunities. With non-conference games against programs like Georgetown and Nevada, plus the always brutal Big 12 slate, TCU will have plenty of chances to prove they've addressed their late-game execution issues. Personally, I'm most interested to see how they perform in November and December - that's when championship habits are formed. If they can build confidence early with some statement wins, it could completely change their mentality heading into conference play.

What gives me confidence that this team can turn things around is the coaching staff's apparent self-awareness. When Gumabao openly acknowledges her team's shortcomings rather than making excuses, it tells me they're approaching this season with the right mindset. In my years covering college basketball, I've found that teams who honestly assess their weaknesses during the offseason are the ones most likely to show significant improvement. TCU has all the pieces - they just need to put them together more consistently.

As the season approaches, I'll be watching closely to see if the Horned Frogs can turn those "almost" games into victories. The difference between a good season and a great one often comes down to winning three or four of those close contests that could go either way. With the right adjustments and improved mental toughness, I believe TCU can not only compete with the best teams in the Big 12 but potentially surprise some people nationally. They have the talent - now they need to develop the championship habits to match. If they can do that, we might be looking at one of the most improved teams in college basketball this season.