Colorado University Athletics
MBB Takes on Baylor in Kansas City
Game 31: vs. 5th seed Baylor Bears (21-9, 9-7 Big 12); Thursday, March 13, 1 p.m. (MST.); Arena: Sprint Center (18,795); Television: Altitude Sports & Entertainment; Announcers: Dave Armstrong, Reid Gettys; Radio: KKZN 760: Mark Johnson, Charles Johnson.
Complete Notes located at the bottom
FOR STARTERS (individual): Richard Roby ranks second all-time in points scored at CU (1,951 points). He stands 44 points from Donnie Boyce. Roby was named to the 2007-08 All-Big 12 third team ? Marcus Hall has led the team in assists the last five games (25, 5.0 apg.) and steals the last three games (12, 4.0 spg.). Hall was named to the Kansas City Star All-Underrated team ? Jermyl Jackson-Wilson has started the last six Big 12 games: 6.3 ppg., 5.0 rpg., 16-of-30 from the field (.533) ? Roby has grabbed a season-best 192 rebounds ? Reserve freshman guard Javon Coney scored a season-best 15 points on 4-for-5 shooting with three, 3-pointers and two steals at Nebraska. Coney is the first CU player in 14 games (since the first Nebraska meeting) to lead CU in scoring other than Hall or Roby ? Hall ranks fourth all-time in CU assists (411) ? Roby has 103 career scoring double figures games (out of 117) ? Roby has tallied double-figures 27 of 30 games, Hall 23 of 30 games ? Hall, Roby and Cory Higgins have started every game (30). If all three continue the trend, it will be the first time since 1984-85 three players started the entire season. Roby is the last freshman to start every game (30, 2004-05) ? Hall has a career-best 119 rebounds, 57 steals, 49 3-pointers in a single-season ? Roby ranks first all-time with 114 career starts and is shooting a season-best .471 from the field.
FOR STARTERS (team): In the previous 11 years of the Big 12 Basketball Championship, a 12th seed has never defeated a No. 5 seed ? CU is the 12th seed for the second straight year ? CU has 22 steals in their last two games (13 at K-State, nine at NU) ? CU went 0-8 in back-to-back seasons in conference road games ? The Buffs are shooting .545 from the field in two neutral court games and scoring 70.5 ppg. ? Six of CUGÇÖs 13 losses in Big 12 play are a total of 31 points (5.2 average) ? In CUGÇÖs three Big 12 wins, they have shot .508 percent from the field, .690 from the FT line and outscored the opponent 64.7-to-54.7, with Hall averaging 19.7 ppg. ? CU had a season-high 13 steals and scored a conference best 45 points in the second half at K-State ? CU has used seven different starting lineups, the same in the last five games ? CU has shot 70 percent or higher from the free throw line on 14 occasions in 2007-08 ? In CUGÇÖs 11 wins, they have shot .509 from the field, .700 at the FT line, out-rebounded the opponent 31.8-to-28.8, and are outscoring the opposition 68.7-to-53.4 ? The Buffs have surpassed last yearGÇÖs win total of seven with 11 victories.
cu IN THE BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP: Marcus Hall has advanced to the quarterfinals in each of his three years ? Hall, Richard Roby and Marcus King-Stockton have each participated in a total of five Big 12 Tournament games (2-3 record) ? Hall is averaging 8.8 ppg., 3.8 assists, 3.8 rebounds in his five games (career-high of 14 points vs. Texas Tech in 2004 & Texas in 2005) ? Roby averages 15.8 ppg., 5.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists in the five games he has participated in (career-high of 21 points vs. Oklahoma State) ? Marcus King-Stockton has grabbed a total of eight rebounds, scored six points in his five career Big 12 games ? Jermyl Jackson-Wilson had 15 points (including 6-for-6 from the field) and seven rebounds in the game vs. Texas Tech in 2007.
CU vs. baylor: Colorado leads the head-to-head series 13-8 dating back to 1946 and holds a 9-5 edge in Big 12 play. Baylor won back on Feb. 27 for the first time in Boulder in nearly 57 years. CU has met Baylor twice in the post-season conference tournament, squeaking out a 65-61 winner in Dallas (2006) in the No. 5/12 match up and the Bears taking an 86-84 overtime win as the No. 8 seed in Kansas City (2001). CU was No. 9.
LAST time vs. the Bears: Back on Feb. 27, Richard Roby scored 17 points and nine rebounds and Marcus Hall added 10 points, however Baylor outshot Colorado in the second half and escaped to a 68-57 victory. Kevin Rogers scored 24 points for the Bears and Henry Dugat finished with 21, including a season-high five 3-pointers. Baylor entered the game 1-7 lifetime against Colorado in Boulder, its lone win coming on December 15, 1951. The Bears were 0-5 in Boulder since the inception of the Big 12.
HALL & ROBY TOP 10: The music duo Hall & Oates has many Top 10 Billboard Singles in the late 70GÇÖs and early 80GÇÖs. ColoradoGÇÖs guard duo of Hall & Roby have had their share of great games as a 1-2 punch for the Buffaloes. No, weGÇÖre not GÇ£Out of TouchGÇ¥ in regards to their importance for the Colorado program...Here are their Top 10 games of all-time at Colorado (all victories):
vs. Colorado State (Dec. 18, 2004): Hall 22 points,
5 assists; Roby 17 points, 3 rebounds = 89-83.
vs. Texas (Feb. 8, 2005): Hall 17 points, 4 assists; Roby 22 points, 9 rebounds = 88-79.
vs. Texas in Big 12 Tourney (Mar. 10, 2005): Hall 14 pts., 5 assists; Roby 17 pts., 10 rebs. = 81-69.
at TCU (Dec. 20, 2005): Hall 17 points, 2 assists; Roby 17 points, 3 rebounds = 77-59.
at Oklahoma St. (Jan. 12, 2006): Hall 16 points,
6 assists; Roby 27 points, 7 rebounds = 80-78, OT.
vs. Colorado Christian (Nov. 20, 2007): Hall 21 points, 4 rebounds; Roby 18 points, 4 reb. = 78-58.
at Denver (Nov. 27, 2007): Hall 18 points,
5 rebounds; Roby 15 points, 9 rebounds = 54-44.
at Air Force (Nov. 29, 2007): Hall 18 points,
2 assists; Roby 21 points, 7 rebounds = 60-50.
vs. Oklahoma (Feb. 9, 2008): Hall 19 points,
3 assists; Roby 19 points, 5 rebounds = 72-58.
vs. Iowa State (Mar. 1, 2008): Hall 31 points,
8 rebounds; Roby 15 points, 9 rebounds = 67-55.
SCHOOL RECORDS: Marcus Hall has logged 609 Big 12 minutes setting the CU record in a season, breaking Chauncey Billups mark of 557 set in 1996-97. In career conference minutes, Richard Roby assembled 2,108 minutes breaking Jay HumphriesGÇÖ previous best of 2,042 from 1981-84.
1,000 Minutes PLUS: Senior Marcus Hall is moving up the seasonal minutes list ranking fourth, while Richard Roby is 10th. In CUGÇÖs upcoming game with Baylor, Hall should set the school mark in seasonal minutes. HereGÇÖs a look where Hall ranks with the other CU 1,000 minute members since 1978-79 when those records were kept.
1) Stevie Wise 1,127 1990-91
2) Shaun Vandiver 1,122 1990-91
3) Jay Humphries 1,120 1983-84
4) Marcus Hall 1,114 2007-08
5) Blair Wilson 1,048 2002-03
6) Stevie Wise 1,034 1989-90
Jay Humphries 1,034 1982-83
8) Shaun Vandiver 1,032 1989-90
9) James Hunter 1,026 1990-91
10) Richard Roby 1,021 2007-08
RISING FROSH: Aside from Hall and Roby dominating the headlines, freshman Cory Higgins looks to have a bright future in black and gold. In his 16 Big 12 Conference games (all starts), Higgins ranks first from the free throw line (.733), second in steals (19); second in rebounding (4.3), third in scoring 8.8 ppg. and 3-pointers (15).
HALL PASS: Senior Marcus Hall ranks fourth all-time in CU assists with 411. He has led the team in assists each of his last three seasons. Hall also has a career-best 57 steals, 48 3-pointers and a career-best 13.7 ppg. during his senior campaign.
SOLO IN THE BIG 12: CUGÇÖs menGÇÖs basketball athletic trainer Melissa Schau (Tulsa 2004) is not only the Buffaloes first MBB trainer ever in the history of the program, sheGÇÖs the only one in the Big 12 Conference. Schau (pronounced Shaw) is one of 44 women nationally as the head athletic trainer for menGÇÖs basketball.
HALL or ROBY: Through 30 games, Richard Roby and Marcus Hall have led the majority of games in scoring. Roby has led 15 times (one shared), Hall 12 times (one shared). Cory Higgins has done it in back-to-back games (at Texas A&M, Nebraska), Javon Coney and Xavier Silas performed it once. In his 15 games, Roby averages 21.2 ppg., while Hall is 19.3 ppg. over his 12 games.
2nd ALL-TIME: Richard Roby stands alone on the schoolGÇÖs all-time scoring list with 1,951 points. Roby trails Donnie Boyce, who hails at the top with 1,995 by 44 points. HereGÇÖs a thought, if CUGÇÖs two games (UC Davis & TCU) last year were not canceled due to the weather, would Roby be closer?
1. Donnie Boyce 1,995 18.8 1991-95
2. Richard Roby 1,951 16.7 2004-pre.
FT SHOOTING: In recent years, CU was not a very good free throw shooting team. This year, the Buffaloes are shooting almost 70 percent (.691), a feat only accomplished once in the last 12 years (2000-01, .715).
IRON MAN: Marcus Hall has six games this season playing all 40 minutes. Hall ranks second in the Big 12 Conference behind Martin Zeno of Texas Tech, who has 10, 40-minute games (7 conference and 3 non-conference). Hall has three straight Big 12 games (KU, at OSU, OU) and three straight non-conference games (at Air Force, Stanford, at Wyoming).
3-Point Streak: Dating back to the 2001-02 season, CU has made a 3-pointer in 193 consecutive games. Last time they failed to make at least one trey was Jan. 16, 2002 against Iowa State in Boulder. The Buffs won 63-61.
FOUR IN A ROW - Richard Roby will become only the third player in school history to lead the team in scoring four consecutive seasons. From 2004-05 (16.0 ppg.), 2005-06 (17.0), 2006-07 (17.3), and this year 16.4. Here are the others:
Richard Roby 2004-08 4-straight
Donnie Boyce 1991-95 4-straight
Emmett Lewis 1975-79 4-straight
REDSHIRT YEAR: Sophomore forward Jeremy Williams will be redshirted this season and will return next year with three full years of eligibility. He was academically ineligible for the fall semester. Williams averaged 7.7 points and 4.6 rpg. last season with 18 starts.
NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENTS: Head coach Jeff Bzdelik announced the signing of five student-athletes for the 2008-09 season during the NCAA early signing period. They are Javonte Clanton, Austin Dufault, Trey Eckloff, Nate Tomlinson and Toby Veal.
GÇ£I couldnGÇÖt be more pleased with the signing of these five young men,GÇ¥ Bzdelik said. GÇ£All of them will have a major impact on the future of Colorado Basketball. This is a class filled with quality and depth.GÇ¥
BIG 12 TOP-10: A number of CU players are ranked among the Big 12 elite players in various categories from all games played and conference-only (as March 10).
All Games
Scoring Roby 3rd 16.5
Hall 10th 13.7
Rebounding Roby 11th 6.4
FG% Roby 7th .477
Assists Hall 5th 3.87
Steals Hall 5th 1.90
FT % Roby 7th .768
Blocks King-Stockton 9th 1.32
Roby 15th 0.97
Def-Reb. Roby 9th 4.57
Asst.-Turn Ratio Hall 7th 1.73
Big 12-Only Games: FINAL
Scoring Roby 4th 16.4
Hall 9th 14.4
Rebounding Roby 9th 6.7
FG % Hall 5th .528
Roby 8th .458
Assists Hall 3rd 3.75
Steals Hall 6th 1.63
FT% Roby 14th .729
Blocks King-Stockton t-3rd 1.63
Roby 12th 1.06
Asst.-Turn Ratio Hall 7th 1.76
Def. Rebounds Roby 8th 5.19
BUFF BITS: Richard Roby and Marcus Hall (19th overall w/ 1,141 pts.) are the first CU 1,000-point tandem since 2003-04 when the Buffs had three players over 1k (Michel Morandais, David Harrison, Blair Wilson) ? Hall (31) and Roby (17) combined for 48 points in the home win over ISU ? the most this season (old - 41 vs. Mizzou in 66-62 loss) ? Marcus Hall set a conference best six steals at Kansas State, itGÇÖs also a CU Big 12 high for most steals against the Wildcats ? Hall set career highs in points (31), FGs made (13) and attempts (21) against Iowa State. It was CUGÇÖs first 30-point effort this season ? Marcus King-Stockton has a personal-best 39 blocks and ranks sixth all-time at CU with 101. He tied a career-best four blocked shots against Iowa State and at Missouri ? Levi Knutson played a season-high 36 minutes with a Big 12 best 11 points versus Baylor, and Marcus Hall excelled at the point with seven assists, zero turnovers, and a career-best three blocks ? HallGÇÖs consecutive playing streak ended at 163:58 dating back to the Iowa State game on Jan. 29. ItGÇÖs his second consecutive streak of 160 minutes. Hall played 161 consecutive minutes from Nov. 29-Dec. 22 ? Richard RobyGÇÖs streak of 15 consecutive games of double figures ended at KU (his longest string of games during his four-year career) ? Cory Higgins had a season-best five steals, four in the first half at Iowa State. His five steals were a CU high in the 12-year conference history vs. the Cyclones ? RobyGÇÖs season-best 14 rebounds against Mizzou tied his output of 14 boards earlier this season against New Orleans; his 13 defensive vs. Missouri was a career-high ? Hall, Higgins, Knutson and Thorne II are the only players with more assists than turnovers ? For the first time in school history, CU beat both Oklahoma and Nebraska at home in football AND basketball in the same year ? Commissioners Honor Roll (3.0 or better): freshman Levi Knutson (business), Redshirt sophomore Casey Crawford (political science) ? Jermyl Jackson-Wilson was named one of 12 Big 12 Conference student-athletes to the 2007-08 Winter Sports Good Works Team in February.
CU During Big 12 Inception: Thirty games are in the books and CU not only has won more games this season than last, but their 3-point field goal percentage, free throw shooting and limiting their turnovers per game rank near the top over the last 12 years.
Year PPG FG % 3-Pt.% FT% To WGÇÖs
2007-08 61.9 .451 .350 .691 13.3 11
2006-07 69.1 .417 .313 .655 17.5 7
2005-06 76.8 .434 .342 .646 14.0 20
2004-05 71.6 .435 .353 .629 14.4 14 2003-04 74.2 .464 .372 .621 14.6 18
2002-03 75.2 .443 .326 .669 14.0 20
2001-02 79.7 .453 .357 .677 17.0 15
2000-01 80.6 .460 .359 .715 16.5 15
1999-00 75.2 .426 .339 .686 14.3 18
1998-99 73.1 .414 .344 .702 14.7 18
1997-98 71.4 .404 .346 .688 14.3 13
1996-97 73.1 .420 .362 .681 13.9 22
FUN ?n Sun: For the next two seasons the Buffaloes will be making multiple trips to the Hawaiian Islands. Next season, CU will be making their first-ever trip to the Rainbow Classic in Honolulu. In 2009-10, CU will play in the Maui Invitational. Hosted by Division II college Chaminade, and sponsored by EA Sports, the Buffaloes will be one of eight schools participating in the 26th edition of the tournament. Joining CU two years from now will be Arizona, Gonzaga, Louisville, Maryland, Vanderbilt, and Wisconsin.
CU IN THE PRO WORLD: There is a number of CU basketball members with ties to the professional ranks. From head coach Jeff Bzdelik to the four student-athletes.
Coach Bzdelik: Head Coach of the Denver Nuggets (2002-05);
Casey Crawford: father, Steve played with the Boston Red Sox;
Cory Higgins: father, Rod played in the NBA from 1982-95, currently the general manager of the Charlotte Bobcats;
Richard Roby: half-brother of Kenyon Martin (Denver Nuggets);
Dwight Thorne II: cousin, Acie Law IV played for the Texas A&M Aggies and great uncle, Ernie Banks played with the Cubs.
TEAM BITS: CU will be looking for its first road conference win this season (0-8). The last CU road win in Big 12 play occurred Jan. 21, 2006 at Oklahoma State, 80-78 (ot), 0-21 since (0-8 in 2006-07) ? CUGÇÖs 72 points scored at Kansas State and 72 scored in the home win over Oklahoma was their most points in Big 12 play this year. CU shot 60.6 percent from the field, their second time over 60 percent in Big 12 play (61.7% at Texas A&M ? CU shot 51 percent from the field against Iowa State, itGÇÖs the 10th time this season shooting over 50 percent (CU is 7-3) ? For the first time in school history five players have at least 20 made 3-pointers in a season: Marcus Hall (48), Richard Roby (43), Levi Knutson (27), Cory Higgins (24) and Xavier Silas (20) ? The Buffs committed a season-low seven turnovers against Baylor. ItGÇÖs the fewest since having six at Nebraska (Jan. 22, 2006) ? CU is 2-4 when wearing their gold uniforms ? CU did not attempt a single free throw at Mizzou (Feb. 23). ItGÇÖs the fewest in a game since the Buffs went 0-for-1 at Iowa State on Jan. 14, 1987. Ironically, CU did not shoot a free throw in the first half at KU (Feb. 16) ? CU scored only 45 points at Kansas, matching their fewest scored against KU at Allen Fieldhouse since Feb. 15, 1992 (82-45) ? Against KU (Feb. 2), the Buffaloes converted a season-high nine 3-pointers. The pervious mark was eight three other occasions ? Since 1954-55, the Cyclones tied three others for fewest points scored in the first half against CU (15 points) ? CU shot a season-best 62 percent from the field at Texas A&M. ItGÇÖs the first time CU has shot over 60 percent since making .627 against Mercer in 2005-06, and .611 percent against a Big 12 foe since 2002-03 against Texas A&M. In the same game, the Buffs shot a school second-best from the field in the second half (.773) ? CUGÇÖs 16 rebounds at A&M were the fewest since grabbing 16 against Arkansas State, Mar. 21, 1991 (w, 81-75) ? The Buffs played with only seven players against SMU and Tulsa ? The Buffs victory at Moby Arena was CUGÇÖs first in four years and it snapped Colorado StateGÇÖs 24-game home winning streak against non-conference opponents ? CU shot a season-high 33 3-pointers at Wyoming, their most since attempting 34 at Nebraska (Feb. 22, 2006) ? For the first time since the 1998-99 season, CU won back-to-back road games (at Denver, at Air Force) ? The Buffs win at Air Force ended the FalconsGÇÖ 38-game home winning streak against non-conference foes ? CU won three straight games, twice for the first time since 2005-06 when they won nine and five straight games on two separate occasions.
roster changes: In the 2007-08 media guide, senior guard Richard Roby and freshman guard Cory Higgins are listed as #20 and #22, respectively. Both of those numbers are retired (#20 Cliff Meely, 1968-71; #22 by Burdette Haldorson, 1952-55). Roby now wears #23 (the # worn he wore his freshman, sophomore, junior seasons); Higgins has selected #11.
NO NAME JERSEYS: For the first time in many years the 2007-08 Buffaloes will not have their last name on the back of their uniforms. It was an idea always discussed in recent years, but never followed through until head coach Jeff Bzdelik decided that the name on the front is more important than the one on the back.
MEDIA GUIDE CORRECTION: On page 59 of the 2007-08 media guide it states that Cory HigginsGÇÖ father, Rod is the general manager of the Golden State Warriors. In fact, heGÇÖs the GM of Charlotte.
CU Assistants: Joining Coach Bzdelik on his staff is a quartet of the finest basketball minds in the game today.
Steve McClain, Assistant Coach
- 21 years of coaching experience
- Won 157 games in nine years as the head coach at the University of Wyoming;
recorded the most regular season victories (60) of any Mountain West Conference head coach
- Four NIT appearances, One NCAA Appearance
- Led Hutchinson to the Junior College 1994
National Championship and earned National JC Coach of the Year honors
Derrick Clark, Assistant Coach
- Brings nine years of coaching experience and his third season with Coach Bzdelik
- Helped direct Air Force to a 50-16 record during his two-years in Colorado Springs
- Assisted USAFA to the 2005-06 NCAA Tournament and 2006-07 NIT Final Four
- As an assistant at Metro State, helped the Roadrunners to a pair of NCAA Division National Championships
Charles Baker, Assistant Coach
- Brings 16 years of coaching expertise
- Returns to the Big 12 Conference after
spending six years with Kansas St. (2000-06)
- At K-State, helped assemble a trio of Top 25 recruiting classes and assisted the recruiting of three consensus Top-100 players
- Only head coaching stint, turned Shorter Junior College into a consistent winner lead
ing his teams to four consecutive Arkansas State Junior College championships, and four-straight 20-win seasons
Jody Bailey, Director of Basketball
Operations
- Brings 12 years of coaching experience to
Boulder and begins his second year with Coach Bzdelik
- Worked for Marty Blake, NBA Regional Scout, 2004-06
- As an assistant at Kentucky Wesleyan College helped Panthers to a 35-2 record and the NCAA Division II National Championships
- Was a volunteer assistant coach under Hall
of Fame coach Denny Crum at Louisville