Colorado University Athletics
MBB Travels to No. 2 Texas
at No. 2/2 Texas Longhorns (14-0, 0-0 Big 12)
GÇó Date: Saturday, Jan. 9 GÇó Tipoff: 11:47 a.m. (MST)
GÇó Television: Big 12 Network (Altitude Sports & Entertainment); ESPN360.com; ESPN Full Court
GÇó Announcers: Mitch Holthus (p-b-p), Jon Sundvold (analyst).
GÇó Location: Erwin Center (16,734)
GÇó CU Radio: 760-AM: Mark Johnson (p-b-p), Charles Johnson (analyst); Sirius Channel 126
GÇó Series vs. Texas: UT leads 13-8 (at Boulder, 5-4; at Texas 2-6; Neutral, 1-3). UT has won five straight; last three games by an average of 7.3 points.
CU NOTES: Entering the week, CU was the top free throw shooting team nationally GÇó CU is 8-0 at home for the first time since the 1982-83 season (9-0) GÇó Alec Burks ranks seventh nationally of all freshmen in scoring (16.3 ppg.). His last five games lead CU: 17.8 ppg., 6.0 rpg., .536 FG% (30-of-56); .833 FT%-all team high. Burks netted his first career double-double with 17 pts., 10 rebounds against Miami (OH) last Tuesday GÇó CU is 6-0 when four of the five starters net double-digits GÇó CU is 7-1 when shooting over 50 percent from the field GÇó CU has scored over 70 points in 10 of 14 games and are 8-2 in those games.
BACK IN THE DAY: CU head coach Jeff Bzdelik and Texas coach Rick Barnes share a past for those who don't know. Both were assistant coaches together at Davidson College (N.C.) in 1978. Although Coach Barnes leads the head-to-head series, 3-0, margin of victory is only 7.3 points.
TEXAS UPDATE: The Longhorns are ranked No. 2 in both polls and have won their first 14 games of the season. They average 87 points per game, have four players averaging in double figures. The 'Horns are 9-0 at home with an average victory of 30 points at the Erwin Center. Head coach Rick Barnes is the winningest coach in UT basketball history with 284 wins (105 losses).
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 be playing 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).
AGAINST THE LONGHORNS: CU trails in the series, 13-8 and have lost the last five 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. Back in 2008, CU dropped a 69-67 decision in Austin. CU last won in Austin, Feb. 28, 1998.
HOME vs. THE ROAD: CU is averaging 81.1 points per game with four players in double figures in eight home games (.530 FG%). Cory Higgins (20.6 ppg.), Alec Burks (15.9), Marcus Relphorde (11.4), Dwight Thorne (11.6). In the six combined away/neutral court games, the Buffs are averaging 70.3 ppg., shoot .432 from the field and average only two players in double figures.
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).
FRESHMAN STUD: Alec Burks has started all 14 games and netted over 10 or more points in every game. With 228 points for the season, Burks is 13th 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) Alec Burks, 2009-10 228
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 16.3 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 105 career collegiate wins GÇó Today is 200th collegiate coaching game GÇó CU has scored 80 points in six of 14 games this season (previously 80+ five games in his first two years) GÇó Team has shot 50 percent or better in 16 of 28 halves GÇó have made 90 3-pointers, the most in three years after 14 games GÇó team is shooting .486, 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 14 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 1,062 career, ranking 23rd overall. Next on the list is Larry Vaculik (1975-78, 1,084) GÇó Started every game as a Buff (77, t-12th) GÇó 10th in career steals (118) GÇó 13th in minutes played (2,673) GÇó 23rd in assists (192) 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 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 and 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 Buffs taking on nationally ranked Texas today, 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
13. #7 vs. Kansas, Jan. 17, 1967, 62-59
#7 Kansas State, 81-80, Feb. 13, 1961
15. #8 vs. Iowa State, 70-45, Jan. 18, 1997
#8 vs. Kansas, 79-71, Feb. 20, 1991
17. #9 Iowa State, 59-52, Feb. 11, 1957
Colorado defeated a top-5 ranked opponent at home:
#2 Oklahoma State, 57-53, Feb. 12, 1992
Colorado defeated a ranked opponent on the road (recent): #20, at Texas Tech, Jan. 11, 1997
Colorado faced a No. 1 ranked team : 9 times, latest on Mar. 8, 2002, a 102-73 loss to Kansas
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.
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 14 games. CU is shooting a best in FG%, 3-PT%, FT% and turnovers.
Years PPG FG % 3-Pt.% FT% To W's
2009-10 76.5 .486 .383 .782 13.2 9
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
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.
at No. 2/2 Texas Longhorns
(14-0, 0-0 Big 12)
GÇó Date: Saturday, Jan. 9
GÇó Tipoff: 11:47 a.m. (MST)
GÇó Television: Big 12 Network (Altitude Sports & Entertainment).
ESPN360.com; ESPN Full Court
GÇó Announcers: Mitch Holthus (p-b-p), Jon Sundvold (analyst).
GÇó Location: Erwin Center (16,734)
GÇó CU Radio: 760-AM: Mark Johnson (p-b-p),
Charles Johnson (analyst); Sirius Channel 126
GÇó Series vs. Texas: UT leads 13-8 (at Boulder, 5-4; at Texas 2-6; Neutral, 1-3). UT has won five straight; last three games by an average of 7.3 points.
at No. 2/2 Texas Longhorns
(14-0, 0-0 Big 12)
GÇó Date: Saturday, Jan. 9
GÇó Tipoff: 11:47 a.m. (MST)
GÇó Television: Big 12 Network (Altitude Sports & Entertainment).
ESPN360.com; ESPN Full Court
GÇó Announcers: Mitch Holthus (p-b-p), Jon Sundvold (analyst).
GÇó Location: Erwin Center (16,734)
GÇó CU Radio: 760-AM: Mark Johnson (p-b-p),
Charles Johnson (analyst); Sirius Channel 126
GÇó Series vs. Texas: UT leads 13-8 (at Boulder, 5-4; at Texas 2-6; Neutral, 1-3). UT has won five straight; last three games by an average of 7.3 points.