Big 12 team-by-team preview: Texas, Baylor battle for the top

COLLEGE PARK, MD - MARCH 17: West Virginia Mountaineers center Lanay Montgomery (15) with teammates at the start of the Div. 1 NCAA Women's basketball 1st. round game between Elon and West Virginia on March 17, 2017, at Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland. West Virginia defeated Elon 75-62. (Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - MARCH 17: West Virginia Mountaineers center Lanay Montgomery (15) with teammates at the start of the Div. 1 NCAA Women's basketball 1st. round game between Elon and West Virginia on March 17, 2017, at Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland. West Virginia defeated Elon 75-62. (Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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March 4, 2016: TCU (15) Jada Butts drives the lane versus Kansas during the Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK. (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images)
March 4, 2016: TCU (15) Jada Butts drives the lane versus Kansas during the Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK. (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images)

TCU

Projected finish: 9th

Key returners:

Amy Okonkwo 10.2 ppg, 49%, 5.5 rpg, 1 apg, 18 mpg

Jordan Moore 8.6 ppg, 50%, 6.8 rpg, 19 mpg

Kianna Ray 6.7 ppg, 37%, 3.3 rpg, 2.3 apg, 25 mpg

Biggest losses:

AJ Alix 13.1ppg, 39%, 2.6 rpg, 4.6 apg, 30 mpg

Jada Butts 12.2 ppg, 39%, 3.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, 30 mpg

Newcomers:

Dakota Vann F, 6-0, Oklahoma City, OK, Junior

Jayde Woods G, 6-0, Yorba Linda, CA, Sophomore

Lauren Heard G, 5-9, Denton, TX, Freshman

Head coach: Raegan Pebley is entering her fourth season leading the purple and white. She found immediate success, earning an automatic berth into the WNIT tournament her first two seasons in Fort Worth. Although Pebley has had talented and experienced players, they have not been able to make it over the hump and into the NCAA tournament thus far. Another year, another opportunity for Raegan Pebley and the Horned Frogs to make a name for themselves.

Key non-conference games:

SMU 11/14

Alabama 12/1

Texas A&M 12/6

Outlook: Having lost their top two players as far as scoring and minutes, the Horned Frogs have some big shoes to fill. The point guard position is where they are lacking the most. Pebley has an elite guard in Amber Ramirez, but her ability to stay healthy and lack of experience solely in the point guard position may take a toll. The dependability of their post players may ultimately decide this team’s destiny.