MBB Hosts Cornhuskers Wednesday

GAME #20 vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers (12-7, 0-4 Big 12)

GÇó Date: Wednesday, Jan. 27 GÇó Tipoff : 8:07 p.m. (MST)

GÇó Television: FSN Rocky Mountain GÇó Announcers: Tom Helmer (p-b-p), Ceal Barry (analyst), Alanna Rizzo (sideline)

GÇó Location: Coors Events Center (11,064)

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

GÇó Series vs. Nebraska: Cornhuskers lead 76-68; 16-11 in Big 12 play. NU has won three straight, five of last seven; CU is 8-5 in Boulder and has won three of the last four games.

COLORADO Probable Starters

Pos/NoPlayer Ht Wt Yr Hometown PPG RPG APG

G 1 Nate Tomlinson 6-3 185 So. Sydney, Australia 5.6 2.5 4.2

G 5 Marcus Relphorde 6-7 220 Jr. Chicago, Ill. 10.5 3.5 1.8

G 10 Alec Burks 6-6 185 Fr. Grandview, Mo. 16.9 5.1 1.7

G 11 Cory Higgins 6-5 190 Jr. Danville, Calif. 18.6 3.5 2.5

F 33 Austin Dufault 6-9 230 So. Killdeer, N.D. 6.9 3.4 1.0

OFF THE BENCH

G 12 Dwight Thorne II 6-3 185 Sr. Arlington, Texas 9.1 2.1 1.8

G 35 Keegan Hornbuckle 6-7 205 Fr. Westlake Village, Calif. 2.5 1.7 0.6

F 13 Shane Harris-Tunks 6-11225 Fr. Liverpool, Australia 2.2 1.8 0.2

F 34 Casey Crawford 6-9 245 Jr. Overland Park, Kan. 3.8 2.1 0.3

NEBRASKA Probable Starters

Pos/NoPlayer Ht Wt Yr Hometown PPG RPG APG

G 3 Brandon Richardson 6-0 190 So. Los Angeles, Calif. 8.7 2.0 1.9

G 5 Sek Henry 6-3 200 Sr. Los Angeles, Calif. 8.2 3.7 2.6

G 34 Lance Jeter 6-3 230 Jr. Beaver Falls, Pa. 6.9 3.3 4.1

G 44 Ryan Anderson 6-4 205 Sr. Seattle, Wash. 10.8 5.1 2.2

C 21 Jorge Diaz 6-11235 Fr. Caguas, Puerto Rico 8.5 4.0 1.2

QUICKLY: CU enters the week among the nation's best in a variety of categories: fourth nationally in FT percentage (.768), 17th in FG% (.486), 46th in steals per game (8.4), 49th in scoring offense (76.7) GÇó CU is 9-1 at home matching the 2005-06 season after 10 games. CU began the 2005-06 home season 10-1 GÇó CU has shot 50 percent or better in three of five Big 12 games (.505), both conference games at home (.515) GÇó Cory Higgins leads the Buffaloes in scoring in conference play (19.0 ppg.) and is shooting 55.0 percent from the field in league contests - first on the team and third in the Big 12.

INJURY UPDATE: Coach Jeff Bzdelik said freshman Keegan Hornbuckle (shoulder) underwent an MRI exam on Tuesday. His status for Wednesday's game depends on results of that test. Junior Marcus Relphorde (bruised hip) did not practice Monday, but worked on Tuesday. His status depends on Tuesday's work, but likely will be a game-time decision. Bzdelik said he was "cautiously optimistic" Relphorde would be ready to play.

HUSKER 'D' TOUGH: Bzdelik said Nebraska, which leads the Big 12 in scoring defense (60.4 points a game), is so effective because "they do a great job of staying in front of you" and making an opponent execute. The Huskers usually don't switch defenses, Bzdelik said. "They just dig in and do one thing -- and do it very well." Offensively, Nebraska is last in scoring offense (67.4) and features only one player in double figures. But Bzdelik says that is misleading. When points are protracted over 30 or minutes of game time, "They've got guys who can score," he said.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES: Dwight Thorne is shooting a team-best .654 (17-of-26) over his last five games in a reserve role and leads CU with eight treys. In his last four games he's averaging 11.8 ppg. GÇó Alec Burks remains the only true freshman in the nation to score in double-digits every game this season (he's fourth nationally of all freshmen in points per game) GÇó Burks' last five games lead CU: 5.2 rpg., .818 FT%, and three blocks; his 18.8 ppg. is second GÇó Cory Higgins has made 331 career FTs, just outside 10th place all-time at CU (334, Wilky Gilmore, 1959-62). Higgins is a career .803 percent FT shooter, ranking tied for sixth all-time at CU GÇó Austin Dufault has started the last two Big 12 games with an 11.5 ppg., 4.0 rpg., and is shooting .600 from the field (9-of-15), also added five three-pointers GÇó Burks and Higgins are tied with 33 FGs made over the last five games GÇó Alec Burks and Cory Higgins have led or shared scoring team honors 17 of 19 games. Dwight Thorne and Marcus Relphorde are the others GÇó Cory Higgins tallied his third career 30-point effort against K-State GÇó Nate Tomlinson has led the team in assists 11 times, including seven times with six or more; and five straight games, six of the last seven. Tomlinson leads the team with 81 assists GÇó Casey Crawford has played the last four road games (16.8 mpg., 5.8 ppg., 2.5 rpg., with 5 three-pointers) GÇó Marcus Relphorde was named Big 12/Phillips 66 Co-Rookie of the Week.

AGAINST NEBRASKA: The Cornhuskers lead the all-times series, 76-68, including a 16-11 edge in Big 12 play. Nebraska has won the last three games in a row and five of the last seven. In Boulder, CU holds an 8-5 edge and three of the last four.

HUSKER UPDATE: After starting the season with a 12-3 record after nonconference play, Nebraska has now lost its first four Big 12 games by an average of 10.7 points. Nebraska is 1-4 on the road with two of those losses coming in conference play. NU has lost at Texas A&M (64-53) and at Missouri (70-53) and at home to Kansas (84-72) and Iowa State (56-53). The 'Huskers are shooting only 39.3 percent in conference play and averaging 57.8 points per game. Doc Sadler enters his fourth year in Lincoln (67-47, .588) and the team is coming off an NIT appearance a year ago.

TONIGHT'S POSTER: Junior forward Trent Beckley is the featured student-athlete. After missing most of the season with injuries and the flu, Beckley has appeared in two games this season. He scored two points in four minutes of action against Coppin State (Nov. 16). The Vail, Colo., native is majoring in business with an emphasis in management. He's a two-time Commissioners Honor Roll recipient.

TEAM NOTES: CU has not out-rebounded the opponent in the 10 games GÇó With a minimum of 90 shots taken, CU has four of its top five players shooting over 50 percent or better GÇó Of the six players averaging 21 minutes or more minutes a game, all are shooting 65 or better from the FT line GÇó 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 14 of 18 games and are 9-5 in those games GÇó CU committed a season-low five turnovers against Baylor, the lowest any CU team has made since five against Cal Poly (Dec. 3, 2005 ) and five against Texas (Feb. 8, 2005), both CU wins GÇó Over the last 14 years, CU is performing a best in field goal percentage (.486), 3pt% (.384), FT% (.768) and a low in turnovers per game (12.9).

AFTER LAST FIVE BIG 12 GAMES: CU have placed four players in double-figures, average 77.2 points per game and shooting .489 percent from the field. However, on the negative, they are getting outrebounded by an average of a 39.4 to 25.2 margin, and are being outscored by 6.4 points.

MOVING ON UP: Alec Burks has started all 19 games and netted over 10 or more points in every game. With 322 points for the season, Burks is eighth overall in points and ninth in steals 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) Alec Burks, 2009-10 322

Randy Downs, 1982-83 322

9) Xavier Silas, 2006-07 301

10) Stephane Pelle, 1999-00 272

Freshman Bests - Season (Most Steals)

1) Donnie Boyce, 1991-92 68

2) Jose Winston, 1998-99 53

3) Richard Roby, 2004-05 48

4) Chauncey Billups, 1995-96 42

5) Jay Humphries, 1980-81 41

6) Cory Higgins, 2007-08 36

7) Pete Hefty, 1992-93 27

8) Michael Lee, 1984-85 26

9) Alec Burks, 2009-10 24

Stevie Wise, 1987-88 24

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 16.9 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: Has four games over 20 points GÇó has led CU in rebounding nine times (three shared) and scoring eight times (three shared) GÇó 13 games this season shooting over 50 percent from the field; seven games over 60 percent GÇó Second in team scoring 16.9 ppg.; first in rebounding (5.1 rpg.) and FG% (.532); tied for fourth in assists (33, 1.7); second with 24 steals.

CLOSE CALLS: During the last three plus years, the CU men's team has suffered 53 losses. If you take a closer look, 25 of those losses have been by single-digits, an average of 4.6 points.

2009-10: 5 games (23 points, 4.6 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: Cory Higgins has led the team in scoring 10 of 18 games (one shared); has eight 20-plus scoring efforts this season, in addition to his 20 career, 20-point efforts GÇó Scored 1,157 career, ranking 20th overall GÇó Started every game as a Buff (82, t-9th) GÇó 9th in career steals (129) GÇó 12th in minutes played (2,845) GÇó t-22nd in assists (200) 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.).

THREE-YEAR REVIEW: Coach Bzdelik has 106 career collegiate wins GÇó CU has scored 80 points in eight of 19 games this season (previously 80+ five games in his first two years) GÇó CU has scored 70 or more points 14 of 19 games (9-5 this season) GÇó team has shot 50 percent or better in 20 of 38 halves GÇó have made 119 3-pointers, the most in three years after 19 games GÇó team is shooting .486, another three-year best.

ONE STREAK DOWN: The Buffaloes ended a nine-game losing streak to nationally ranked opponents by beating No. 22/24 Baylor (Jan. 12), 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 at home, 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 nine combined away/neutral court games, the Buffs are averaging 72.1 ppg., shooting .446 from the field and average only two players in double figures (Alec Burks 18.3 ppg., Cory Higgins 15.6 ppg.).

STREAKS: CU has lost 32-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 has also dropped 24-straight road games against Division I opponents. CU last won on the road over a D-I opponent Dec. 22, 2007 at Colorado State (73-70).

BIG 12 HONOR: Marcus Relphorde was named Co-Big 12 Phillips 66 Rookie of the Week (Jan. 11-17) in voting by a panel of media covering the Conference.

This is Relphorde's first rookie of the week honor and first CU player to earn the award since Dec. 27, 2004 (Richard Roby). Relphorde helped the Buffaloes to a 1-1 week against two nationally ranked opponents. He started with 17 points and seven rebounds as CU topped No. 22 Baylor, 78-71. The junior guard then chipped in 18 points and three boards as Buffs dropped an 87-81 decision to No. 12 Kansas State. In two outings, he averaged 17.5 points and 5.0 rebounds, and shot 57.9 percent (11-of-19) from the field. He also made 4-of-7 (.571) from 3-point range while adding three assists and two steals.

TEAM NOTES: CU opened the first four of five games of the conference season against opponents from the south GÇó CU started the conference season against three nationally ranked opponents-a school-first GÇó CU committed 36 fouls against Kansas State, the most a CU GÇó has made since being called for 35 at Kansas, Jan. 31, 1995 GÇó This season marks only the third time in the Big 12 schedule (1998-99 & 2006-07) that CU has opened conference play with back-to-back games against southern schools. The previous two years were a pair of losses each year to Texas and Oklahoma GÇó CU made 30 or more field goals in a game four times this season (30 at Texas). That's the second-most since having five in the 2006-07 season against the 'Horns GÇó CU is shooting 50 percent from the field in 19 of the 34 halves this year. CU tied a first-half best 61.5 percent at Texas.

ON THE ROAD vs. RANKED FOES: CU has fallen on the road to ranked opponents 26-straight times. CU's last win on the road came at No. 20 Texas Tech, 80-78 (Jan. 11, 1997). The Buffs have also lost 33-straight nationally ranked games away from Boulder, including 26 on the road and seven on neutral courts. Their last win over a top-10 opponent on the road: never.

BIG 12 OPENERS: Colorado has now dropped 13-straight Big 12 openers after Saturday's 103-86 loss at No. 2 Texas, including seven on the road. The Texas game was also the fourth time the Buffs played Texas and second time in Austin (2005-06). CU's lone conference opening win came in the first season of the Big 12 (Jan. 4, 1997, Nebraska, 79-73).

CU SINCE 1996-97... In the last 14 years (the history of the Big 12 Conference) CU is performing a best in a number of categories listed below after 19 games. CU is shooting a best in FG%, 3-PT%, FT% and turnovers.

Years PPG FG % 3-Pt.% FT% To W's

2009-10 76.7 .486 .384 .768 12.9 10

2008-09 62.9 .454 .346 .731 14.1 9

2007-08 62.4 .451 .343 .684 13.4 12

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