FORT WORTH — It was difficult to watch what happened at TCU’s Schollmaier Arena on Tuesday night and not first wonder what has happened to West Virginia, a shell of its former self under an eminent senior statesman of club Big 12 basketball.
But considering the layer of story lines involved in the game, the Mountaineers’ effort was more than a little annoying considering the Horned Frogs’ tales of two meniscus cartilage surgeries.
The Horned Frogs, led by Desmond Bane’s season-high 26 points and eight rebounds, jumped the Mountaineers 98-67 in a game that didn’t look even that close in improving their record to 13-3 overall and 2-2 in the Big 12.
TCU forward Lat Mayen, who had his left knee surgically repaired in December of 2017 and has been out most of this season with a bone bruise on the same knee, returned pain free for the first time all year and provided a glimpse of what he is capable of contributing to the Frogs as the conference season proceeds.
He had a career high in minutes (26), points (12), rebounds (6) and even fouls (2). You name the stat, Mayen had bested the high in his career, which had consisted of 42 minutes in eight games this season.
Mayen told coach Jamie Dixon two days ago that he felt as good as he had all season.
The 6-foot-9 redshirt freshman from Australia played on Tuesday with an apparent appreciation, thankful he could finally play pain free.
On the flip side, there was Frogs guard Jaylen Fisher, who was dying to play but couldn’t.
Fisher returned four games into the season after two knee surgeries in the last 11 months, but whose season is in jeopardy after a recurrence of complications. He was, in fact, nowhere to be seen on Tuesday, raising eyebrows.
What West Virginia coach Bob Huggins would do right now for two guys like that, who give a damn, he didn’t say. But as it concerned the topic of emotions, Huggins’ mood ring registered a very definite shade of dread.
The Frogs used a 24-2 run late in the first half and into the second to make the Mountaineers vanish.
There was no trick to it. TCU’s offense is among the best in the conference. West Virginia’s defense ranks as the worst.
But there was something more than those metrics, something far more combustible.
The Frogs came out ready and with energy and desire. West Virginia (8-9, 0-5) suffered from the worst of sports afflictions – worse than a string of injuries: unenthusiastic, listless and uncompetitive with seemingly no concern to engage.
Huggins played everybody on his bench, except the stool he sits on on the sideline, looking for a spark or even a sign of life.
“If I had more, I would have played them, I think,” said Huggins, appearing as low as if his dog had run away. “I guess maybe some of them showed a little bit of frustration, but we didn’t compete, man.
“We’re just not any good, man. We just missed shots and threw the ball around.”
TCU’s 98-point output represented the most points West Virginia has given up in school history.
The game marked the Frogs’ best scoring game of the season and helped them snap a two-game skid. Moreover, the 98 points was the most points TCU has scored in regulation in Big 12 play.
“They played great,” Huggins said. “They made shots, we didn’t. And we haven’t. I don’t know why we expect to.”
Mayen, originally from Sudan, was the No. 2-ranked player by Australia basketball when he signed with the Frogs two years ago.
He represented Australia at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament, considered the world championship for under-18 international teams. At the Australian School Championships in 2015, Mayen averaged 24.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.
Mayen was 3 for 6 from the field, all 3-pointers, and 3 for 4 from the free-throw line.
“I’m so happy for him,” Dixon said. “The things he’s gone through with the surgery and the bone bruise in addition to that … watching him struggle to play and practice and never saying a word, just kept going. Yesterday, he said he was a 100 percent, and I said, ‘Well, you’re playing.’
“It feels like he’s the guy we saw six to eight months ago. I’m so happy for him. It’s just good to see a kid battle. We knew how good a player he was. Just excited and happy for him.”
With the Frogs’ depleted ranks – Yuat Alok (broken wrist and transfer), Kaden Archie (transfer) and Fisher – Mayen’s return is timely.
R.J. Nembhard didn’t play against West Virginia because of illness, Dixon said.
“[Mayen] was huge for us,” said Alex Robinson, who had 14 points and 10 assists. “It was just a matter of getting him healthy. He’s always been a great player. We got to experience it for a whole year now. We’re really fortunate to have him back, especially with all the injuries and stuff going on. He’s going to be a big part of our offense and defense.”
On Monday, Dixon said there was no timetable for Fisher’s return, adding that he wouldn’t play for the “foreseeable future.”
At the same time, the coach said Fisher was devastated by the setback.
Why he wasn’t with the team on Tuesday, Dixon only said that dealing with injury is an “emotional time” for players and coaches.
“It’s hard,” Dixon said. “You go down the list of our guys. We’ve had three season-ending injuries. It’s hard. You got to understand how much time and effort they put into it. When it’s taken away from you, it’s hard. You just feel for them. I understand what all these guys have gone through. I don’t wish it on anybody.”
Whether Fisher planned to travel with the team to Manhattan for Saturday’s game at Kansas State, the coach said he didn’t know.
It’s difficult to know what his future is at this point. His current status is limbo.
It’s not difficult for everybody, including – no, maybe especially – Huggins, to feel for him.