Jameer Nelson Jr. hits game-winning 3-pointer, defeats Kansas State 75-72

Jameer Nelson Jr. silenced the crowd inside Bramage Coliseum with a contested, game-winning 3-point basket to lead TCU over Kanas State 75-72.

Nelson, who shoots 25.4 percent from deep, was shooting through his struggles going 2 of 9 from the floor before nailing the goodnight punch to the Wildcats. He finished with nine points on the afternoon to go with seven rebounds. Senior guard Micah Peavy scored a game-high 26 points during the winning effort.

The win pushed head coach Jamie Dixon to No. 2 all-time in program wins. Check out the moment Nelson helped his coach achieve the feat below:

JAMEER NELSON JR!!!#GoFrogs pic.twitter.com/ckkBA11bVs

— TCU Men's Basketball (@TCUBasketball) February 17, 2024

3-pointers were hard to come by during the match up, which naturally sets the stage for a wild shot like this. With the defense right in his face, Nelson’s won the game for his team. Collectively, both teams came together to made 6 of 28 3-point shots during the contest.

Despite tying the game in the final seconds at the free throw line — Kansas State’s 3-point game was nearly nonexistent as they went 1 for 15 (6.7 percent) from the floor as a group. TCU was 5 for 13

The win improves TCU to 7-5 in Big 12 Conference play and is now locked in a three-way tie for fourth place in the current standings with No. 6 Kansas and Texas Tech. However, that is likely to change once those teams play their respective games during Saturday’s slate. Still, TCU has proven themselves as a dark horse contender in the Big 12 Conference down the stretch this season. Saturday’s win only proves that further.

Now, the Horned Frogs can turn their attention toward a road trip against the Red Raiders on Tuesday. Despite the 48 hour turnaround, TCU is treating every game like it’s must win at this point in the season. Tip-off between TCU and Texas Tech is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET and is scheduled to air live on ESPN2.

As of Feb. 17, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has the Horned Frogs in the ‘Last Four Byes’ category of the 2024 NCAA Tournament bubble. A few more wins and they should have enough to sway the committee’s decision in their favor.

If TCU can survive Lubbock, the rest of their schedule still isn’t guaranteed. With matchups against Cincinnati, No. 12 Baylor and No. 19 BYU immediately following the Texas Tech game, TCU is facing the odds at this point in the season. Based on Saturday’s outcome against K-State — the Horned Frogs are beating them.