It didn’t take long for junior Bingo Merriex to contribute to the TCU basketball program. As a true freshman, the three-point specialist played a key role in victories over the likes of SMU and Fresno State last year. His big smile, hustle and enthusiasm for the game made him an instant crowd favorite at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum as the band struck up the Bingo song when he scored.

He might be some of the flash this year, but he won’t carry the team alone. Along with seven returning lettermen, starter Nucleus Smith (who can play point or off guard) is expected to continue last year’s performance when he averaged 6.9 points on 51.5 percent shooting, all while dishing out 57 assists and picking up 33 steals.

And as usual, it will be Billyball at its best as Tubbs chases 21 wins toward membership to the elusive 600 career win club, a mark only 35 other coaches have reached.