Can TCU be Competitve in Big 12 Basketball?

Brett McMurphy of CBSsports.com is reporting that the Big 12 has invited TCU to join the conference.

All indications point to the Horned Frogs accepting the offer, and being ready to start playing as soon as the 2012-13 academic year.

While TCU committed to joining the Big East earlier this year, they will be able to reportedly pay a $5 million exit fee without being assessed a time penalty (like Pitt and Syracuse face) for backing out.

TCU has had good success on the football field in recent years. Gary Patterson has recorded a 101-30 record over the last 11 seasons.

The TCU basketball program is another story. Over the last nine seasons, the Horned Frogs have posted a 113-164 record on the hardwood.

Head coach Jim Christian, a big-time success prior to coming to Fort Worth (138-58 in six seasons at Kent State), needs to move the program forward in a hurry.

TCU has only won 14, 13 and 11 games in the last three seasons on Christian's watch.

The Horned Frogs return their top five scorers, including mighty-might Hank Thorns (5'9" 165 lbs; 10.7 ppg; 3.5 rpg; 7.0 apg) who was No. 4 in the nation in assists. 

Christian is also banking on immediate contribution from his 2011 Recruiting Class, which features five new players, three of which are JuCo transfers.

The high school basketball talent base in Texas has steadily improved over the last several years. The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex sends dozens of players to D1 programs every year.

TCU has struggled to significantly tap into the local talent. Changing that will be a major factor on whether they will be competitive in the Big 12.

The time is now for Jim Christian and the Horned Frogs (with six seniors on the 2011-12 roster) to turn things around.

Life won't be easier when TCU is having to face the likes of Kansas, Texas, Baylor and the rest of the Big 12 a year from now.