Why TCU women's basketball canceled games vs. Kansas State, Iowa State

TCU women's basketball is dealing with a bizarre situation, with the Horned Frogs canceling their next two games because they are unable to field a team.

TCU was slated to face Big 12 opponents No. 7 Kansas State and Iowa State, with the former game scheduled for Wednesday night. Because of the forfeits, the Horned Frogs will be charged two losses and drop to 14-4 (1-6 Big 12), making it a six-game losing streak. The discrepancy is that the conference counts forfeits as losses, but the NCAA does not count no-contests in the overall record.

Details are sparse on why the games were canceled; TCU released a statement saying it was due to injuries and to "ensure the health and safety of the program's student-athletes." TCU used 10 players Saturday against Houston, and lost point guard Jaden Owens for the season because of a torn ACL and meniscus suffered during the game.

Forward DaiJa Turner also had season-ending surgery after suffering an ankle injury in a recent practice.

TCU posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that it will hold open tryouts Thursday and Friday to fill out its roster.

REQUIRED READING: Kansas State women's basketball picks up a Big 12 forfeit win over TCU

Why did TCU forfeit vs. Kansas State, Iowa State?

TCU suffered a player shortage this week, leading to it pulling the rip cord for its home game Wednesday against Kansas State and Jan. 20 in Ames against Iowa State.

TCU played 10 players Saturday against Houston, but injuries to Owens and Turner leave the Horned Frogs short-handed. Sedona Prince has been out since January as she recovers from a broken finger.

TCU women's basketball schedule

Following its forfeits against Kansas State and Iowa State, TCU presumably will resume Big 12 play. Here's a look at the season schedule for the Horned Frogs.

• Tuesday, Jan. 23: vs. UCF

• Saturday, Jan. 27: at Texas Tech

• Saturday, Feb. 3: vs. Kansas

• Wednesday, Feb. 7: at Oklahoma

• Saturday, Feb. 10: vs. No. 11 Texas

• Tuesday, Feb. 13: vs. West Virginia

• Saturday, Feb. 17: at Cincinnati

• Wednesday, Feb. 21: at BYU

• Saturday, Feb. 24: vs. Houston

• Wednesday, Feb. 28: vs. Texas Tech

• Saturday, March 2: at West Virginia

It's unknown what the roster will look like post-tryouts, of course. But TCU will have its work cut out for it down the stretch.

Because of the forfeit, Kansas State will not face TCU during the regular season. The Wildcats are 17-1 overall and tied for the conference lead at 6-0 with Iowa State, which is 12-4 overall.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Why TCU women's basketball canceled games vs. Kansas State, Iowa State