MBB Travels to Oklahoma State

GAME #18 at Oklahoma State Cowboys(13-4, 1-2 Big 12)

GÇó Date: Wednesday, Jan. 20 GÇó Tipoff : 7:05 p.m. (MST)

GÇó Television: ESPNU GÇó Announcers: Carter Blackburn (p-b-p), LaPhonso Ellis (analyst)

GÇó Location: Gallagher-Iba Arena (13,611)

GÇó CU Radio: KKZN 760-AM: Mark Johnson (p-b-p), Charles Johnson (analyst); Sirius Channel 127

GÇó Series vs. OSU: OSU leads 59-47 and 8-6 in the Big 12. CU is 1-5 at OSU in Big 12 play [last win Jan. 21, 2006 (80-78, ot)]

CU's last win on the road in Big 12 play (30-straight).

COLORADO Probable Starters

Pos/NoPlayer Ht Wt Yr Hometown PPG RPG APG

G 1 Nate Tomlinson 6-3 185 So. Sydney, Australia 6.3 2.8 4.2

G 5 Marcus Relphorde 6-7 220 Jr. Chicago, Ill. 11.5 3.5 1.8

G 10 Alec Burks 6-6 185 Fr. Grandview, Mo. 16.4 5.2 1.9

G 11 Cory Higgins 6-5 190 Jr. Danville, Calif. 18.9 3.5 2.6

F 13 Shane Harris-Tunks 6-11225 Fr. Liverpool, Australia 2.4 2.0 0.8

OKLAHOMA STATE Probable Starters

Pos/NoPlayer Ht Wt Yr Hometown PPG RPG APG

G 2 Obi Muonelo 6-5 235 Sr. Edmond, Okla. 12.0 5.5 2.0

G 14 Ray Penn 5-9 162 Fr. Houston, Texas 8.1 1.8 2.9

G 23 James Anderson 6-6 205 Jr. Junction City, Ark. 21.6 5.8 2.0

F 31 Matt Pilgrim 6-8 230 Jr. Cincinnati, Ohio 6.9 6.2 0.5

F 33 Marshall Moses 6-7 235 Jr. Aiken, S.C. 10.9 9.4 0.9

QUICKLY: Entering tonight's play, Colorado is tied with Oklahoma State and Texas A&M in conference play, their opponents this week GÇó Marcus Relphorde was named Co-Big 12/Phillips 66 Rookie of the Week GÇó Cory Higgins tallied his third career 30-point effort against K-State. He now has 1,125 points (20th all-time at CU) GÇó Fourteen players have fouled out this season equaling all of last year. In three Big 12 games, CU has been called 82 times (27.3 a game) GÇó CU has shot 50 percent or better in all three Big 12 games (.523).

STREAKS: CU has lost 30-straight Big 12 Conference road games since Feb. 5, 2006. Last Big 12 Road Win: Jan. 21, 2006 at Oklahoma State, 80-78 (ot). CU also brings a 22-game road losing streak against Division I opponents. CU last won on the road over a D-I opponent Dec. 22, 2007 at Colorado State (73-70).

INDIVIDUAL NOTES: Alec Burks remains the only true freshman in the country to score in double-digits every game this season GÇó Burks' last five games lead CU with 7.2 rpg., .778 FT%, and five blocks GÇó Nate Tomlinson has led the team in assists nine times, including six times with six or more. He leads the team with 72 assists. Last year, Tomlinson had 54 assists after 17 games GÇó In three Big 12 games, four players average 10 or more points (Higgins 21.0, Relphorde 19.7, Burks 17, Thorne 10).

AGAINST THE COWBOYS: Oklahoma State leads the all-time series, 59-47 and holds an 8-6 edge in Big 12 play. OSU has won two in a row and the teams are split 2-2 in the last four. Last year, OSU defeated CU in Boulder, 76-55 as Levi Knutson and Casey Crawford scored Big 12 career-bests 19 and 14 points, respectively.

TEAM NOTES: CU has shot 50 percent or better in the second half 10 times (6-4 in those games). They made 61.5 percent against Baylor (Texas Southern .636 was the highest) GÇó CU is 7-0 when four of the five starters net double-digits GÇó CU is 8-3 when shooting over 50 percent from the field GÇó CU has scored over 70 points in 13 of 17 games and are 9-4 in those games GÇó Over the last 14 years, CU is performing a best in field goal percentage (.492), 3pt% (.385), FT% (.762) and a low in turnovers per game (13.1).

STEPPING UP: Ever since going scoreless at Tulsa, junior Marcus Relphorde has dominated the stat sheet. Over his last four games: 18.3 ppg., 4.5 rpg. and .615 from the field (24-of-39). His 24 field goals is second to Cory Higgins (28), however his eight treys lead the team.

OSU UPDATE: Oklahoma State brings a 13-4 record (1-2 in Big 12) into tonight's game with the Buffaloes. OSU is also 9-0 at home and have defeated Texas Tech (81-52) back on Jan. 9. James Anderson is the Big 12 Conference leading scorer (21.6 ppg.) and OSU's leader on the scoreboard having led his team in scoring in 12 games. The Cowboys are coached by Travis Ford, who is in his second year in Stillwater (36-16, .692). OSU was a NCAA Tournament a year ago making the second round.

ONE STREAK DOWN: The Buffaloes ended a nine-game losing streak to nationally ranked opponents by beating No. 22/24 Baylor last Tuesday, 78-71 in Boulder. It's the first win against a ranked opponent dating back to the 2006-07 season when they defeated No. 12/14 Oklahoma State, 89-77 (Feb. 3, 2007).

HOME vs. THE ROAD: CU is averaging 80.8 points per game with four players in double figures in 10 home games (.527 FG%). Cory Higgins (21.8 ppg.), Alec Burks (15.7), Marcus Relphorde (12.6), Dwight Thorne (11.4). In the seven combined away/neutral court games, the Buffs are averaging 72.6 ppg., shoot .447 from the field and average only two players in double figures (Alec Burks 17.4 ppg., Cory Higgins 15.4 ppg.).

IMPRESSIVE FRESHMAN: Alec Burks has started all 17 games and netted over 10 or more points in every game. With 279 points for the season, Burks is eighth overall of all CU freshmen.

Freshman Bests - Season (Most Points)

1) Richard Roby, 2004-05 480

2) Chauncey Billups, 1995-96 465

3) Donnie Boyce, 1991-92 417

4) Emmett Lewis, 1975-76 389

5) David Harrison, 2001-02 375

6) Matt Bullard, 1985-86 356

7) Randy Downs, 1982-83 322

8) Xavier Silas, 2006-07 301

8) Alec Burks, 2009-10 279

9) Stephane Pelle, 1999-00 272

10) Cory Higgins, 2007-08 266

TOP CU FRESHMEN: If the season ended today, freshman guard Alec Burks would rank second among freshmen scorers in the school's history. Here's the top-five to-date.

1. Chauncey Billups 17.9 1995-96

2. Alec Burks 16.4 2009-10

3. Richard Roby 15.8 2004-05

4. Emmett Lewis 15.0 1975-76

5. Donnie Boyce 14.9 1991-92

MORE BURKS: His 21-point effort at Texas, was his third game this season over 20 points (Texas Southern, Colorado State) GÇó Led team in rebounding in five of the last seven games (one shared) GÇó Burks has led CU in rebounding seven times, scoring six times GÇó 11 games this season shooting over 50 percent from the field; six games over 60 percent GÇó Second in team scoring 16.6 ppg.; first in rebounding (5.1 rpg.) and FG% (.540); third in assists (30, 1.9) ; tied for third with 19 steals

THREE-YEAR REVIEW: Coach Bzdelik has 106 career collegiate wins GÇó CU has scored 80 points in seven of 16 games this season (previously 80+ five games in his first two years) GÇó CU has scored 70 or more points 12 of 16 games (9-3 this season) GÇó team has shot 50 percent or better in 18 of 32 halves GÇó have made 102 3-pointers, the most in three years after 16 games GÇó team is shooting .490, another three-year best.

CLOSE CALLS: During the last three plus years, the CU men's team has suffered 49 losses. If you take a closer look, 24 of those losses have been by single-digits, an average of 4.7 points.

2009-10: 4 games (19 points, 4.8 ppg.).

2008-09: 11 games (three non-conference, eight Big 12 games): 50 points (4.5 ppg.).

2007-08: 9 games (three non-conference, six Big 12 games): 43 total points (4.8 ppg.).

HIGGINS UPDATE: In three Big 12 games, Cory Higgins leads team in scoring (21.0 ppg.) and a .615 field goal percentage GÇó has led the team in scoring 10 of 17 games (one shared); has eight 20-plus scoring efforts this season, in addition to his 20 career, 20-point efforts GÇó Scored 1,125 career, ranking 20th overall GÇó Started every game as a Buff (80, 11th) GÇó 9th in career steals (122) GÇó 12th in minutes played (2,775) GÇó 23rd in assists (198) GÇó Last season, Higgins was one of 13 players nationally to lead team in 5 categories GÇó 2008-09 All-Big 12 Third Team; 1st Big 12-only steals (1.9 apg.).

Colorado University Athletics