MBB Hosts Miami University

Game #14 Notes

GAME #14 vs. Miami University RedHawks (3-9, 0-0 MAC)

GÇó Date: Tuesday, Jan. 5 GÇó Tipoff: 7:07 p.m. (MST) GÇó Television: FSN Rocky Mountain

GÇó Announcers: Drew Goodman (p-b-p), Ceal Barry (analyst), Alanna Rizzo (sideline)

GÇó Location: Coors Events Center (11,064)

GÇó CU Radio: 760-AM: Mark Johnson (p-b-p), Charles Johnson (analyst)

GÇó Series vs. Miami: first-ever meeting; CU vs. Mid-American Conference: 2-2

Colorado Probable Starters

Pos/NoPlayer Ht Wt Yr Hometown PPG RPG APG

G 1 Nate Tomlinson 6-3 185 So. Sydney, Australia 6.5 3.2 4.2

G 5 Marcus Relphorde 6-7 220 Jr. Chicago, Ill. 9.4 3.2 2.0

G 10 Alec Burks 6-6 185 Fr. Grandview, Mo. 16.2 4.6 1.9

G 11 Cory Higgins 6-5 190 Jr. Danville, Calif. 19.0 3.5 2.8

F 33 Austin Dufault 6-9 230 So. Killdeer, N.D. 7.9 4.0 1.2

OFF THE BENCH

G 12 Dwight Thorne II 6-3 185 Sr. Arlington, Texas 7.9 2.0 1.9

G 35 Keegan Hornbuckle 6-7 205 Fr. Westlake Village, Calif. 3.2 2.3 0.7

F 13 Shane Harris-Tunks 6-11225 Fr. Liverpool, NSW, Australia 2.6 2.3 0.7^

F 34 Casey Crawford 6-9 245 Jr. Overland Park, Kan. 3.3 2.0 0.5

^-blocked shots

MIAMI Probable Starters

Pos/NoPlayer Ht Wt Yr Hometown PPG RPG APG

F 20 Nick Winbush 6-7 213 Jr. Shaker Heights, Ohio 11.0 4.1 0.9

C 41 Adam Fletcher 6-8 226 Sr. St. Albans, W.V. 6.3 4.6 0.6

G 1 Rodney Haddix II 6-3 220 Jr. Georgetown, Ky. 7.5 2.6 1.4

F 35 Antonio Ballard 6-4 222 Jr. Jeffersonville, Ind. 5.9 4.6 1.2

G 14 Kenny Hayes 6-2 183 Sr. Dayton, Ohio 13.9 3.0 3.7

QUICKLY: CU is 7-0 at home matching the 2005-06 season for consecutive home victories, the last 8-0 start at home was the 1982-83 season (9-0) GÇó Alec Burks last four games: 18 ppg., 5.0 rpg., .533 FG% (24-of-45); .875 FT% -- all team highs GÇó CU is only shooting .385 over the last two games (40-of-104), poorest any two-game total of the season GÇó Cory Higgins holds the top five scoring games GÇó CU is 5-0 when four of the five starters net double-digits GÇó Nate Tomlinson has led CU in assists seven times (twice shared) GÇó CU is 6-1 when shooting over 50 percent from the field GÇó CU has scored over 70 points in 10 of 13 games and are 8-2 in those games.

MIAMI UPDATE: The Redhawks have lost five of six games and are winless on the road this season (0-6). Tonight is Miami's first game in 12 days and open Mid-American Conference play at Buffalo on Saturday. The RedHawks are the MAC's winningest team boasting 572-328 (.636) record.

UP NEXT: The Buffaloes open Big 12 Conference play this Saturday, Jan. 9 at nationally ranked Texas (11:30 a.m., MST, Altitude Sports & Entertainment).

BIG 12 OPENERS: Colorado brings a 12-game losing streak in conference openers with six of those coming on the road. The 2010 Big 12 opener is also the fourth time the Buffaloes will playing Texas and second time in Austin (2005-06). CU's lone Big 12 conference opening win came in the first season of the Big 12 (Jan. 4, 1997, Nebraska, 79-73).

AGAINST THE LONGHORNS: CU trails in the series, 13-8 and have lost the last four in a row, however, the last three games have been an average of 7.3 points. The Buffs are 2-6 at the Erwin Center and the last time in Austin, CU dropped a 69-67 decision, Jan. 19, 2008.

HOME vs. THE ROAD: CU is averaging 83.1 points per game with four players in double figures in seven home games (.532 FG%). In the six combined away/neutral court games, the Buffs are averaging 70.3 ppg., shoot .432 from the field and average two players in double figures.

BROADCAST: All Colorado men's basketball games can be heard live on KKZN AM 760. Mark Johnson will deliver play-by-play with Charles Johnson color commentary. Live internet audio of all CU basketball games is available on BuffsRadio, a subscription service through CUBuffs. com. Live internet video streaming of Sunday's game is available on BuffsTV, also a subscription service through CUBuffs.com. Please note the BuffsRadio audio and Buffs TV video are separate subscriptions.

SUPER FRESHMAN: Alec Burks has started all 13 games and netted over 10 or more points in every game. With 211 points for the season, Burks is 15th overall of all CU freshmen. Here's the list including a trio of current Buff players.

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

9) Stephane Pelle, 1999-00 272

10) Cory Higgins, 2007-08 266

11) Austin Dufault, 2008-09 254

12) Toney Ellis, 1976-77 245

13) Larry Vaculik, 1974-75 220

14) Michael Lee, 1984-85 215

15) Alec Burks, 2009-10 211

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 16.2 2009-10

3. Richard Roby 15.8 2004-05

4. Emmett Lewis 15.0 1975-76

5. Donnie Boyce 14.9 1991-92

THREE-YEAR REVIEW: Coach Bzdelik has 104 career collegiate wins GÇó CU has scored 80 points in six of 13 games this season (previously 80+ five games in his first two years) GÇó Team has shot 50 percent or better in 14 of 26 halves GÇó have made 83 3-pointers, the most in three years after 13 games GÇó team is shooting .484, another three-year best.

CLOSE CALLS: During the last three plus years, the CU men's team has suffered 46 losses. If you take a closer look, 23 of those losses were by single-digits, an average of 4.6 points.

2009-10: 3 games (13 points, 4.3 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 eight of 13 games (one shared); has seven 20-plus scoring efforts with 28 points against Arizona, his third highest scoring game, in addition to 19 career 20-point efforts GÇó Scored 1,051 career points and ranks 23rd overall. Next on the list is Larry Vaculik (1975-78, 1,084) GÇó Started every game as a Buff (76, t-13th) GÇó 10th in career steals (116) GÇó 13th in minutes played (2,645) GÇó 23rd in assists (193) 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.).

ON THE ROAD: Even though the NCAA determined the Buffaloes' 73-58 win over Chaminade at the EA Sports Maui Invitational was declared a road victory, the Buffs still have an 20-game skid against Division I opponents on the road. CU's last road win came on Dec. 22, 2007 at Colorado State, 73-70.

BUFF NOTES (individual): Austin Dufault recorded his first career double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds) against Arizona; he's the first CU player to tally a double-double since Cory Higgins last year (Western State, 24 pts., 10 rebounds) GÇó Nate Tomlinson scored a career-best 20 points against 'Zona, he's the first CU player other than Higgins and Dwight Thorne to score 20 or more in a game since Richard Roby scored 22 at Oklahoma State (Feb. 6, 2008) GÇó Tomlinson had a career-high eight assists against Gonzaga and Chaminade, also had a career-best five steals against the Silverswords GÇó CU placed a pair of 20-point scorers against Arizona (Higgins 28, Tomlinson 20), that's twice this year with a pair w/ a least 20+ a game (the other, Texas Southern) GÇó Associate Head Coach replaced Head Coach Jeff Bzdelik four of the 12 games this season due to family concerns. McClain went 2-2, however Coach Bzdelik is credited with the wins/losses.

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 13 games. CU is shooting a best in FG%, 3-PT%, FT% and turnovers.

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

2009-10 77.2 .484 .376 .789 13.2 8

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

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

MAUI INVITATIONAL WRAP: The Buffaloes lost a pair of close games in their first-ever visit at the EA Sports Maui Invitational falling to Gonzaga, 76-72 and Arizona, 91-87 (overtime). CU defeated Chaminade on day three, 73-58. In the first game against the Bulldogs, four players scored double-digits with Cory Higgins scoring a team-high 19 points with six rebounds. The following day, the Buffs, again placed four players in double-figures with Higgins and Alec Burks scoring 28 and 20 points, respectively. On day three, the Buffs received 13 points each from Burks and Marcus Relphorde against Chaminade.

CU in the Big 12/Pac-10 Harwood Series: CU is now 0-3 against the Pac-10 in the series. The Buffs lost on the road to Oregon State, 74-69 back on Dec. 4, and in the previous two years lost twice to Stanford (76-62 in 2008; 67-43 in 2007).

FRESHMAN STARTERS: In his first three years, Coach Bzdelik has started at least one freshman in the starting line up on opening night. Against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Alec Burks started (10 pts., three assists, two rebounds). Cory Higgins started his first game (Nov. 9, 2007) with a 10-point, five-rebound, three-assist performance against New Mexico. Last year, Austin Dufault (13 pts.) and Nate Tomlinson (12 pts.) started against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

NEW UNIFORMS: The 2009-10 season marks the first time in 19 years the Colorado men's basketball team will don new home uniforms. This season's new look will be silver, a first since the 1990-91 season. This season the 2009-10 Buffs will have silver, gold and black jerseys.

ENTERING 2009-10: This will be the third year of head coach Jeff Bzdelik and his staff. Here's a brief synopsis who and what is returning for the 2009-10 season:

Starters Returning/lost: 4/1

Top Returning Scorer: Cory Higgins 17.4 ppg.

Top Rebounder: Cory Higgins 5.4 rpg.

Top Returning FG Shooter: Dwight Thorne II 48.1%

Top Returning FT% Shooter: Cory Higgins 83.0%

Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 9/3

OUT FOR SEASON: Freshman guard Shannon Sharpe will miss the 2009-10 basketball season with season-ending knee surgery after injuring his left knee during pre-season workouts. Sharpe successfully had a microfracture procedure. Sharpe, a 6-1, 200-pound guard from Corona, Calif. is one of four true freshmen on the 2009-10 roster. He will be medically redshirted.

DEFENDING THE OPPOSITION (Scoring Defense): In the last two years under Coach Bzdelik, CU's defense has allowed the opposition an average of 66 points per game (67.5: 2008-09; 64.4: 2007-08). That two-year total ranks only second to the 1980-81 season (64.5 ppg.) and 1979-80 (67.3 ppg.). Those two years averaged out to 65.9 ppg.

Big 12 Age Averages: With only one senior on the Colorado roster, the men's team is the second youngest school in the Big 12 Conference. The following breakdown is courtesy of Mike Noteware of Oklahoma State. These averages are as of Oct. 15, 2009.

Team Yrs Months Days Experience

Oklahoma State 19 11 25 1.1

Colorado 20 2 20 1.3

Iowa State 20 3 27 1.3

Oklahoma 20 4 1 1.2

Missouri 20 5 23 1.3

Texas A&M 20 6 0 1.4

Baylor 20 6 6 1.1

Kansas 20 6 26 1.2

Kansas State 20 7 15 1.3

Texas 20 8 24 1.6

Nebraska 20 9 14 1.3

Texas Tech 20 11 14 1.8

The "experience" category basically is the average number of years the members of the team have been playing (i.e. A senior is given a 3, a junior a 2, a sophomore a 1 and a freshman a 0). The findings did not take into account redshirt years, and it's obviously not based on Division I experience, since a juco transfer would be assigned a 2 just like a third-year junior. Missouri's Tyler Stone is the youngest player in the Big 12 (born Sept. 8, 1991), while Brady Morningstar of Kansas is the oldest (born Jan. 23, 1986).

Defense through the yearS): In his six years as a collegiate coach and two-plus seasons in the NBA, head coach Jeff Bzdelik has installed playing defense as a major part of the game. Here's a look at his teams over the years. His 2005-06 season at Air Force was a nation's best in scoring defense of all 970 collegiate schools in Division I (326), D-II (265), and D-III (379).

2008-09 Colorado **67.5 (31 games)

2007-08 Colorado ^64.4 (32 games)

2006-07 USAFA **56.0 (35 games)

2005-06 USAFA *54.7 (31 games)

2004-05 Denver (NBA) 97.4 (28 games)

2003-04 Denver (NBA) 96.1 (82 games)

2002-03 Denver (NBA) #92.4 (82 games)

1987-88 UMBC 78.0 (28 games)

1986-87 UMBC 70.1 ppg. (28 games)

* - nation's best ** - runner up nationally (Princeton 53.3)

^ - lowest in CU history 46 years; 12th all-time at CU

# - franchise record (shattering mark by more than five points)

** ranks 20th in school history

BIG 12 PLAY SETBACKS: Winning on the road is sometimes a difficult task, especially in the Big 12. CU has lost 29-straight Big 12 Conference road games since Feb. 5, 2006. All eight games in 2008-09, 2007-08 and 2006-07; and the last five games of the 2005-06 season.

Last Big 12 Road Win: Jan. 21, 2006 at Oklahoma State, 80-78 (ot).

Last Big 12 Road Win (Regulation): Jan. 14, 2006 at Missouri, 74-71.

vs. RANKED OPPONENTS: The Buffaloes have lost eight straight games to nationally ranked opponents dating back to the 2006-07. Their last win came in Boulder against then-No. 18/19 Oklahoma State, 84-75 (Feb. 15, 2007).

ON THE ROAD vs. RANKED FOES: CU has fallen on the road to ranked opponents 25-straight times. CU's last win on the road came at No. 20 Texas Tech, 80-78 (Jan. 11, 1997). The Buffs have lost 32-straight nationally ranked games away from Boulder, including 25 on the road, seven on neutral courts. Their last road win against a nationally ranked school came at No. 20 Texas Tech, 80-78, Jan. 11, 1997; last win over a top-10 opponent on the road: never.

LAST TIME Versus the Nation's TOP-10... With the nationally ranked Texas Longhorns looming on the schedule, here's a look a CU's record against the nation's elite in terms of opponents being ranked. Since the 1949-50 season, the Buffaloes are 0-18 all-time against schools either No. 10 and No. 11 nationally. Here's a look at CU's upset wins over the top-10.

1. #2 vs. Oklahoma State, 57-53, Feb.12, 1992

2. #3 vs. Texas, 93-80, Feb. 4, 2003

#3 vs. Kansas, 72-68, Jan. 20, 1953

#3 vs. Kansas State, 65-57, Feb. 23, 1952

5. #4 at Arizona State, 93-70, Dec. 16, 1963

#4 vs. Iowa, 60-57, Dec. 12, 1955

#4 vs. Washington, 81-60, Dec. 30, 1953

8. #5 at Missouri, 81-79 (ot), Jan. 15, 1973

#5 vs. New Mexico, 79-72, Dec. 16, 1968

#5 vs. Iowa, 75-54, Mar. 21, 1955

11. #6 vs. Kansas, 60-59, Jan. 22, 2003

#6 vs. Missouri, 92-88, Mar. 9, 1990