If you're frantically refreshing your phone asking what's the score of TCU game, you aren't alone. Today, January 17, 2026, the TCU Horned Frogs took their show on the road to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Utes. It’s a chilly afternoon at the Jon M. Huntsman Center, and honestly, the atmosphere is as cold as the shooting percentages for Jamie Dixon’s squad early on.
The game tipped off at 1:00 PM local time (2:00 PM EST). As it stands right now, we are seeing a classic Big 12 grind—even though Utah is a newer face in this neighborhood, they play that physical, slow-burn style that usually gives TCU fits.
Current Score: TCU vs. Utah Live Update
As of the latest update mid-way through the second half, the score of the TCU game is Utah 58, TCU 51.
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The Frogs are clawing back after a disastrous first ten minutes. It’s been a rough stretch for TCU lately. Coming off that stinging 76-70 loss to BYU in Provo just a few days ago, you can tell the "elevation fatigue" might be a real thing. They looked sluggish out of the gate today. Tanner Toolson, who has basically been the heartbeat of this offense lately, started 1-of-6 from the floor. You just can't have that on the road in this conference.
Game Flow and Key Stats
- First Half Reality Check: TCU went into the locker room trailing 34-27.
- The Turnover Problem: The Frogs have already coughed it up 11 times. Against a disciplined Utah team, that's essentially giving away free points.
- Xavier Edmonds Factor: He’s been the lone bright spot. After putting up 19 against BYU, he’s already in double digits today, keeping the Frogs within striking distance.
Why the Score of TCU Game Matters Right Now
Look, the Big 12 is a meat grinder this year. Entering today with an 11-6 record (and a shaky 1-3 in conference play), TCU is teetering on that "bubble" conversation way earlier than Jamie Dixon would like. A loss today would put them at 1-4 in the league. That is a deep, dark hole to climb out of when you still have dates with Houston and Baylor on the horizon.
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Actually, the "road version" of this team is a total mystery. They beat Florida and Wisconsin on neutral floors back in November, looking like world-beaters. Then they go to Allen Fieldhouse and lose a heartbreaker in overtime, only to follow it up by getting bullied at home by Arizona. It's frustrating for fans. You never know which Horned Frog team is going to show up.
The Problem with the Perimeter
If you're wondering why the score of the TCU game isn't in our favor, look at the three-point line. TCU is currently shooting roughly 28% from deep today. In modern college hoops, you simply won't win many games—especially on the road—when you're clanking open looks. Utah, meanwhile, has been opportunistic. They aren't an elite shooting team, but they’ve hit three "dagger" triples every time TCU has cut the lead to four.
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Looking Ahead: The Schedule Doesn't Get Easier
Regardless of how the final ten minutes play out in Salt Lake, the road ahead is brutal. TCU returns to Fort Worth after this to face Oklahoma State on January 20th. That’s a "must-win" if I've ever seen one. Then it's back on the road to Waco to face Baylor.
If you're tracking the football side of things while waiting for basketball scores, Sonny Dykes has been busy. The transfer portal just closed its primary window yesterday (January 16), and TCU landed some massive defensive help, including Jacob Fields and Cheta Ofili. But for today, the focus is entirely on the hardwood.
What to Watch for in the Final Minutes
- Ernest Udeh Jr. on the Glass: TCU needs second-chance points. If Udeh can’t dominate the offensive boards against Utah’s bigs, this comeback is stalled.
- Point Guard Discipline: Jace Posey and the backcourt have to stop the bleeding on turnovers.
- The "Toolson" Heat-up: We’ve seen Tanner Toolson score 10 points in two minutes before. If he finds his rhythm, the score of the TCU game could flip in a heartbeat.
Keep an eye on the free-throw line too. In the BYU loss, TCU only hit 66% of their freebies. In a close game in Salt Lake, those "easy" points are the difference between a flight home with a "W" or a very quiet plane ride back to DFW.
Next Steps for TCU Fans:
Stay tuned to the live broadcast on TNT or listen to the radio call on 1190 AM KFXR. If the Frogs can’t close the gap in the next five minutes, expect Dixon to go to a full-court press to speed up the tempo. After the game, check the official Big 12 standings; a TCU win keeps them in the middle of the pack, but a loss starts making the NIT look like a more likely destination than the Big Dance.