University of Kansas

See how Kansas Jayhawks beat TCU Horned Frogs in Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal

By Emily Curiel

March 13, 2026 5:30 AM

KU’s defense helped power the Jayhawks to a 78-73 win over TCU in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament Thursday night at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.

The Jayhawks (23-9) advanced to face No. 2-seeded Houston in the semifinals Friday.

After the game, the Big 12 announced it’s switching to a hardwood floor for the remainder of the tournament. The glass LED court had been met with much criticism from players and coaches, and may have played a role in the apparent injury of a Texas Tech player earlier Thursday.

See photos of KU’s win, captured courtside by The Star’s Emily Curiel.

See photos of KU vs. TCU

Kansas Jayhawks guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) makes a layup during the first half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. — Kansas Jayhawks guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) makes a layup during the first half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) dribbles the ball up court during the first half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. — Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) dribbles the ball up court during the first half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self yells at the referee during the first half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. — Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self yells at the referee during the first half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Texas Christian University Horned Frogs guard Liutauras Lelevicius (3) makes a layup during the first half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game against the Kansas Jayhawks at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. — Texas Christian University Horned Frogs guard Liutauras Lelevicius (3) makes a layup during the first half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game against the Kansas Jayhawks at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Texas Christian University Horned Frogs guard Jayden Pierre (1) shields the ball from Kansas Jayhawks guard Jamari McDowell (11) during the first half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. — Texas Christian University Horned Frogs guard Jayden Pierre (1) shields the ball from Kansas Jayhawks guard Jamari McDowell (11) during the first half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Kansas Jayhawks guard Elmarko Jackson (13) slips on the court during the first half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. — Kansas Jayhawks guard Elmarko Jackson (13) slips on the court during the first half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Texas Christian University Horned Frogs guard Brock Harding (2) shields the ball from Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) during the first half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. — Texas Christian University Horned Frogs guard Brock Harding (2) shields the ball from Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) during the first half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. (14), left, and Kansas guard Tre White (3) chest bump after White made a layup during the first half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game against the TCU Horned Frogs at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. — Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. (14), left, and Kansas guard Tre White (3) chest bump after White made a layup during the first half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game against the TCU Horned Frogs at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) makes a slam dunk over Texas Christian University Horned Frogs forward David Punch (15) during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. — Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) makes a slam dunk over Texas Christian University Horned Frogs forward David Punch (15) during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) shields the ball from Texas Christian University Horned Frogs forward Xavier Edmonds (24) during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. — Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) shields the ball from Texas Christian University Horned Frogs forward Xavier Edmonds (24) during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Texas Christian University Horned Frogs head coach Jamie Dixon yells during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game against the Kansas Jayhawks at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. — Texas Christian University Horned Frogs head coach Jamie Dixon yells during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game against the Kansas Jayhawks at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Texas Christian University Horned Frogs guard Jayden Pierre (1) shields the ball from Kansas Jayhawks guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. — Texas Christian University Horned Frogs guard Jayden Pierre (1) shields the ball from Kansas Jayhawks guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) blocks a layup by Texas Christian University Horned Frogs guard Jayden Pierre (1) during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. — Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) blocks a layup by Texas Christian University Horned Frogs guard Jayden Pierre (1) during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Kansas Jayhawks forward Bryson Tiller (15) is boxed in by Texas Christian University Horned Frogs guard Liutauras Lelevicius (3) and forward Micah Robinson (5) during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. — Kansas Jayhawks forward Bryson Tiller (15) is boxed in by Texas Christian University Horned Frogs guard Liutauras Lelevicius (3) and forward Micah Robinson (5) during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Kansas guard Darryn Peterson (22) celebrates a basket and a fouled by Texas Christian University Horned Frogs guard Jayden Pierre (1) during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. — Kansas guard Darryn Peterson (22) celebrates a basket and a fouled by Texas Christian University Horned Frogs guard Jayden Pierre (1) during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Texas Christian University Horned Frogs forward Xavier Edmonds (24) blocks a layup by Kansas Jayhawks guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. — Texas Christian University Horned Frogs forward Xavier Edmonds (24) blocks a layup by Kansas Jayhawks guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Kansas Jayhawks guard Elmarko Jackson (13) makes a free throw shot during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. — Kansas Jayhawks guard Elmarko Jackson (13) made four free throws near the end of the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Kansas head coach Bill Self gives high-fives to fans after Kansas defeated TCU 78-73 in a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. — Kansas head coach Bill Self gives high-fives to fans after Kansas defeated TCU 78-73 in a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) smiles while walking down a dimly lit tunnel after Kansas defeated TCU 78-73 in a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. — Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) smiles while walking down a dimly lit tunnel after Kansas defeated TCU 78-73 in a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Crews dismantle the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament LED basketball court during the midnight hours at T-Mobile Center on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Kansas City. — Crews dismantle the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament LED basketball court during the midnight hours at T-Mobile Center on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

This story was originally published March 13, 2026 at 5:30 AM with the headline "See how Kansas Jayhawks beat TCU Horned Frogs in Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal."

Emily Curiel

The Kansas City Star

Emily Curiel, is a visual journalist at The Star. With a broad scope of coverage, Curiel navigates subjects including breaking news, sports, features and long-form narratives. She is a first-generation graduate from San Francisco State University and a native of Los Angeles.