Yesterdays game was a lot of fun to attend. As can be expected when the Frogs host UNLV, or for that matter BYU, there is always a good crowd (4,270 in attendance). What is the difference? The UNLV game always brings a pro-TCU crowd as opposed to a large contingent of screaming Cougars. The Frogs almost turned back the clock and upset UNLV at home for the second year in a row.

Lets give credit to the Frogs, down 11 at the 18:19 mark of the second half. They could have rolled over and given up. Instead, the Frogs battled back and would make it a 1 point game just 5 minutes later. Over that 5 minute period, something very different happened - instead of forcing shots and jacking up 3 pointers, they sent the ball inside to the post. As a result, Nikola Cerina delivered with 9 points in those 5 minutes including making 3 trips to the free throw line where he went 5 for 5. What remained was a hard fought game that may have represented the best team effort from the Frogs all year before succumbing to defeat. But the major takeaway from this game was Cerina.

In my article yesterday, I stated that Cerina has been outstanding as a freshman and may have the brightest future of any big man to play for TCU in the last decade. As a freshman, Cerina has been a steadying force down low which was an area of great concern heading into the season. Zvonko Buljan was tall and a threat on offense, but Buljan is not the needed post defender that Jim Christian sought. An overlooked aspect of Kevin Langford last year was how well he did on defense despite being outmanned. But Cerina has come in this season and done an exceptional job.

More than anything, he has earned that trust from his coach. Just looking at his statistics by month, his minutes have increased steadily and so has his production, as he is now a consistent starter:

November: 14 minutes/game, 2 rebounds/game, 3.4 point/game

December: 18 m/g, 5 r/g, 2.3 p/g

January: 23 m/g, 4 r/g, 7.7 p/g

His stats will not blow you away, but what does not show up is how he negates the offensive advantage that other teams have on us. In addition, the major thing that an effective man provides is space on the floor. On 5 separate occasions against UNLV, the Frogs gave him the ball in the post with his back to the basket. Four of those five times he converted or got to the free throw line. If the Frogs can establish Cerina, it will keep opposing defenses honest and draw them away from perimeter shooters. This will leave space for a guy like Edvinas Ruzgas and add a few extra 3 pointers. For a guy like Ronnie Moss, it would free him up to penetrate. It would also allow Zvonko Buljan or Kevin Butler back door baskets. It is a true game changer.

Is Cerina ready to be an offensive threat? Probably not in every game, but there are moments where he shows he is capable of developing into that player. But for a guy who will only get stronger and will continue to develop on both ends of the floor, the future looks really bright.

The bottom line is this guy does not play like a freshman and has been such a huge boost to this team. TCU has struggled inside the paint for so long that having this guy for the next 3 seasons provides a ton of hope for this team. But unlike some of the smaller players, success down low by Cerina could make everyone around him better. And that is something to be excited about.