UC Irvine @ Texas Christian preview

TCU looks to stay undefeated on the season when it hosts UC Irvine in a non-conference tilt on Thursday. The Horned Frogs have won each of their first three games -- all at home -- by at least 10 points, while the Anteaters come into this contest coming off a loss at No. 25 Colorado Monday.

The Anteaters have been paced by senior guard Eyassu Worku's 13.4 points and 3.4 assists per game, while sophomore Collin Welp has added 12 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Senior guard Evan Leonard, a preseason All-Big West selection, has only played in three games this season, scoring 19 in the opener but only seven in each of the last two contests. The Horned Frogs go with a four-guard lineup that features four double-figure scorers, led by senior guard Desmond Bane's 19.3 points. Sophomore center Kevin Samuel has held down the paint, averaging a double-double with 16 points and 11.7 rebounds as well as 3.6 blocks per contest.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, No TV.

ABOUT UC IRVINE (3-2): The Anteaters are optimistic about the play of Welp, a 6-9 sophomore forward who has the NBA in his bloodlines through his father, Christian, who also starred at the University of Washington. Welp averaged 8.6 points and 4.3 rebounds a game last season but has upped his production in his second season on the floor for UC Irvine. Welp is hitting 50 percent of his shots, including 41.7 percent from 3-point range, giving the Anteaters a big man who can score the ball to contrast their two scoring guards.

ABOUT TCU (3-0): The Horned Frogs are excited about the possibilities for sophomore forward Jaedon LeDee, a transfer from Ohio State who became eligible prior to the win over Air Force on Monday. LeDee only played eight minutes but he had four rebounds, and the hope is the 6-9 Houston native will be able to provide help on the glass going forward. The Horned Frogs are outrebounding opponents by more than six boards this season, but after Division III Southwestern University outboarded TCU in the season opener, it's been all hands on deck on the glass, so LeDee will help.

TIP-INS

1. TCU is ninth in the country, handing out 20.7 assists per game.

2. Freshman G Jeron Artest, the son of former NBA star Metta World Peace, had a career-high six points in the Anteaters' loss to Colorado Monday.

3. Since the 2014-15 season, the Horned Frogs have gone 35-3 in the month of November and 58-8 in November and December combined.

PREDICTION: TCU 88, UC Irvine 76