Perhaps this chemistry experiment was doomed to fail. On paper, it sure looked attractive.

Last season, the TCU Horned Frogs returned plenty of senior-driven offensive firepower. They were adding a new coach, former Kansas assistant Neil Dougherty, who pledged an emphasis on controlled aggression and defense. TCU's run-and-gun days were history. Well, it was a nice idea. Better luck this time? Maybe.

The Horned Frogs, overrated in most corners because of gaudy offensive statistics, labored through a rough indoctrination period. At times, they scored a bucketload of points, but so did opponents. TCU was the worst defensive team in Conference USA, allowing 80.4 points per game. Most of TCU's athletes weren't suited to play Dougherty's style of basketball.

As a result, TCU's season resembled more of a forced march than a free-wheeling fast break. The Horned Frogs occasionally came close but finished 1-5 in games decided by five points or fewer. They were 3-13 in C-USA play and didn't qualify for the league tournament.

"It wasn't where we wanted to be," Dougherty said.

The only direction now is up. Dougherty believes things will be better with a restocked roster and his system firmly in place.

FRONTCOURT

One of Dougherty's key building blocks is sophomore forward Chudi Chinweze, who was the only player signed by the new staff last spring. Chinweze, a leaper with eye-popping ability, was hampered by a leg injury that forced him to miss six games. But when healthy, he left an impression, the most memorable being a 28-point, 13-rebound performance against UAB. Some coaches think Chinweze has shown the potential to become one of C-USA's elite frontcourt players.

Now he'll get some help. Dougherty is excited about the future of freshman Femi Ibikunle, a 6-foot-10, 253-pounder who is far from being a finished product. But Ibikunle's presence alone should mean some defensive improvement. TCU's leading shot-blocker last season was Marcus Sloan, who had 12. Ibikunle could get that in one good game. His offensive skills need work, but TCU's fortunes could grow around his development.

"He's a tough, physical rebounder who knows how to play the game," Dougherty said. "If you need somebody to play defense and rebound, he's your guy. He just has so much potential."

The Horned Frogs have more options in the frontcourt, including freshman Art Pierce, who brings a hard-nosed attitude, and junior college transfer Aaron Curtis, a reliable mid-range shooter. Holdover junior Corey Valsin, a good defender, and Sloan also will be competing for roles.

BACKCOURT

TCU's woes didn't affect the progress of point guard Corey Santee, who had a terrific season. He topped the 20-point mark a team-high 10 times and led TCU in scoring on nine occasions. Santee, who finished seventh in the league in scoring and sixth in assists, was one of three players (with Louisville's Reece Gaines and Marquette's Dwyane Wade) who ranked in C-USA's top 10 in both categories.

Santee might not need to assume as much of the load this season. Dougherty is high on junior Marcus Shropshire, a transfer from Texas Tech. Even while sitting out last season, Shropshire often looked like the team's best player in practice. He's a gym rat who has just the right mixture of leadership and swagger.

The backcourt is bolstered by senior Nucleus Smith, a valuable reserve who has been haunted by injuries, and senior Ronald Hobbs, who opened last season with a pair of double-figure scoring games. Another player to watch is freshman Neil Dougherty Jr., son of the coach.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Losing Junior Blount, Jamal Brown and Bingo Merriex could be perceived as bad news. But TCU is eager to move into its new era. "When you watch our team play, I hope people will think, 'They play unbelievably hard, unbelievably unselfish and they compete to win,'" Dougherty said. "If that's what people are saying about us, then we're probably doing what I'm trying to accomplish."

Last season, TCU still was living and dying by the jump shot. When the shots didn't fall, the Horned Frogs were in for a long evening. Dougherty has added players who should improve the defense. The Frogs are more likely to take things to the rim and finish while mixing in some behind-the-arc offense when appropriate.

The best part of Dougherty's first season is this: It's over. Now TCU can dive headlong into its new era and play closer to the style that Dougherty believes will make his program successful.

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