Colorado University Athletics
Colorado Hosts No. 12/15 Texas A&M Saturday
THE GAME: The University of Colorado returns home to host No. 12 (AP)/15 (WBCA) ranked Texas A&M University on Saturday, Feb. 27, at 2 p.m. at the Coors Events/Conference Center. Saturday's contest is the second game of a CU men's-women's doubleheader as the CU men host Iowa State University at 11:30 a.m.
BROADCAST: Saturday's game will be broadcast live on KKZN AM 760. Mike Rice will give the play by play with USA Basketball's Carol Callan with the color commentary. Live internet video streaming of Saturday's game is available on BuffsTV, a subscription service through CUBuffs.com. Live internet audio of all CU basketball games is available on BuffsRadio, also a subscription service through CUBuffs.com. Please note the BuffsRadio audio and BuffsTV video are separate subscriptions.
OPENING TIP: Senior guard Bianca Smith needs just one 3-point field goal to match CU All-American Shelley Sheetz's all-time school record of 252 set from 1991-95.
THE BUFFALOES: Colorado is 13-13 overall and in 11th place in the Big 12 Conference at 3-10. The Buffaloes snapped an eight-game losing streak with a thrilling, come from behind 80-79 overtime win over Missouri on Feb. 23. With three games remaining in the regular season schedule, Colorado is one game behind Kansas State for 10th and two behind Kansas and Texas Tech for eighth. The Buffaloes will host Kansas State in their regular season home finale on March 3.
TEAM NUMBERS: Colorado is averaging 68 points per game and shooting 42 percent from the field, and enyoing a resurgence in offense the last few games. The Buffaloes have reached 70 points in each of the last three games after not scoring more than 64 in the first 10 conference games of the year. However, Colorado has also given up 70 or more points in eight of the last nine games. Colorado is averaging 7.9 3-pointers per game, ranking second in the Big 12. The Buffaloes are the top free throw shooting team in the Big 12 at 75.5 percent (311-412). The Buffaloes also rank third in the Big 12 in steals (8.8 spg) and fifth in blocks (4.0 bpg).
MORE 'O': Colorado has found its offensive rythm the last three games averaging 75 points per contest. CU's string of three-straight 70-plus point games are its most in the Big 12 in the same season since it scored 70-plus in 11 straight in 2002.
In large part, the Buffaloes' success from 3-point range is accounting for the surge in scoring. Colorado had 15 3-pointers at Nebraska and 14 more at Missouri. The 15 3's at Nebraska are the Buffaloes most ever on the road, and second best single-game total in team history.The 29 3-pointers made over a two game span are the most in the CU annals. The Buffaloes had a string of 27 over two games against Northern Colorado (13) and Colorado State (14) in 2007. Colorado is 29-of-56 from 3-point range in the last two games (.518).
SPEARS LEADS: Brittany Spears tops Colorado by averaging 18.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game. She had a team season-high 34 points in the win over Missouri, two off her career high and the seventh best single-game performance in team history. Spears has found her stroke after a mid-season slump. She has averaged 26.3 points on 53.4 percent from the field (39-of-73) over the last three games. Spears has hit 12-of-15 (.800) from 3-point range over the last two games and 16-of-23 over the last four (.696).
Spears has reached 20 points 11 times this season and has recorded double-digit scoring in 23 of 26 games, 54 of her last 59 games and 77 of 89 career outings. She added 10 rebounds agianst Missouri, recoring her 22nd career dobule-double, seventh of the season and third in Big 12 play.
On the league charts she ranks fourth in steals and defensive rebounds (6.0 drpg), fifth in scoring and overall rebounding, sixth in free-throw percentage (.867), 11th in blocks (1.1 bpg), 3-point percentage (.383) and offensive rebounds (2.5 orpg) and 12th in 3-pointers made (2.0 3mpg).
SPEARS JOINS ELITE COMPANY: Brittany Spears registered 10 rebounds at Missouri and in the process became the sixth player in team history to reach 1,400 points and 700 rebounds. Spears is currently ninth overall in rebounds (706) and 10th in scoring (1,475)
CU Career
1,400-700
Name
(Years)
Points
Rebounds
Lisa Van Goor
(1980-85)
2,067
1,145
Jackie
McFarland (2004-08)
1,957
1,048
Erin Scholz
(1993-97)
1,621
1,067
Tera
Bjorklund
(2000-04)
1,858
723
Bridget Turner
(1985-89)
1,599
725
Brittany Spears (2007-
)
1,475 706
OFF THE BENCH OR STARTER, SMITH SOLID: Senior guard Bianca Smith resumed a starting role against Kansas, but primarily has come off the bench this season. Starting or coming off the bench, Smith's numbers have been solid the entire season. She is averaging 13.3 points and 2.7 rebounds per game while displaying her sharp-shooting abilities. Smith leads the Big 12 with 76 3-pointers and ranks 14th in 3-point accuracy at 37 percent (76-of-205).
Smith ranks 14th in overall scoring in the Big 12 and second among those players primarily coming off the bench (starting less than half of a team's games). Here are the current leaders:
Player,
Team
PPG
Danielle Adams, Texas
A&M
15.3
Bianca Smith,
Colorado
13.3
Christine Flores,
Missouri
9.4
Sydney Carter,
Texas
A&M
8.2
Cokie Reed,
Texas
8.1
SMITH NETS MILESTONES, NEARS BIG ONE: Bianca Smith, who became the 23rd player in team history to reach 1,000 career points in the Kansas road game, cracked the Buffs' Top 20 list after a 26-point performance against Missouri. She currently resides in 19th place on CU's all-time scoring list with 1,099.
Smith gives CU two 1,000 point scorers on the same team as she joins Brittany Spears who reached 1,000 last year and currently resides in 10th on CU's all-time list with 1,475. Having multiple 1,000 point scorers on the same team has happened several times in CU's history, and on two different occasions in the last decade alone. Jackie McFarland and Jasmina Ilic were 1,000-point teammates in 2006-07 and the Buffaloes had a trio of 1,000-point scorers in 2001-02 featuring Jenny Roulier, Mandy Nightingale and Britt Hartshorn.
Smith became CU's all-time leader in 3-point field goals attempted during the Nebraska game and now needs just one 3-pointer made, to catch Shelley Sheetz's all-time mark of 252.
FRESHMEN THRIVING: Freshmen Chucky Jeffery and Meagan Malcolm-Peck have made major contributions in their first collegiate seasons.
Jeffery tops all Big 12 freshmen and ranks third overall in steals at 2.2 per game. She leads Colorado and ranks ninth in the Big 12 in assists (3.4 apg) and is second on the team in steals and rebounds (5.3 rpg) and is third in scoring (9.7 ppg). She has scored in double-digits in eight of the last 14 games, and recorded her first career double-double with 14 points and a career-high 11 rebounds in the home game against Nebraska. Jeffery had one of the best stat lines of the season in the nonconference finale against Yale recording 19 points on a perfect 7-of-7 from the field to go along with nine assists, seven rebounds, five steals and two blocks.
Malcolm-Peck leads CU and ranks eighth in the Big 12 in blocks (1.2 bpg). Her 30 blocks on the season are the fifth best by a freshman in team history. She is fourth on the team in rebounding (3.7 rpg) and sixth in scoring (5.4 ppg). Malcolm-Peck has delivered clutch performances in both of CU's road Big 12 wins. In the overtime win at Missouri, she coralled a key defensive rebound off a Missouri missed free throw which resulted in Brittany Spears' game-tying 3-pointer. Malcolm-Peck then scored the game-winner on a scooping layup with 55 seconds remaining in overtime. At Kansas State, she grabbed an offensive rebound off a free throw miss, was fouled and then drilled both attempts with 17 seconds remaining to give CU a four-point lead (61-57) en route to a 63-57 triumph.
FRESSLE HEATING UP: After a slow start, sophomore guard Alyssa Fressle is finding her freshman form that gained her a spot on the 2009 Big 12 All-Rookie team. Fressle has scored in double digits in four of the last five games, and the one game during that span she didn't (Nebraska), she tied a personal best by dishing out eight assists. She is second on the team in assists (2.6 apg) while ranking third in steals (1.4 spg) and fourth in scoring (6.9 ppg). Her numbers have improved during the Big 12 schedule as she is averaging 8.3 points and 1.7 steals per outing. Her 22 steals during the conference schedule rank eighth best among league players.
GETTING 'ER DUNN: Senior center Courtney Dunn is averaging 7.0 points over the last three games, shooting 53 percent over that span (8-of-15). Dunn has also made five of her last 10 3-point attempts (.500), nailing a career-high three in the game at Nebraska. Dunn has two career double-doubles, both of which came in a four-game span. She had a career outing against Oklahoma State tying a career high (Denver) and setting a new Big 12 personal best 16 points while nabbing a career high and team single season high 14 rebounds. She also had a double-double at Texas Tech recording 10 points and a then personal-best 11 rebounds. She is averaging 7.4 points and 5.2 rebounds over the 13 league contests. Overall she has 160 points (6.4 ppg) and 116 rebounds (4.6 rpg) this season (25 games) after recording just 94 points and 85 rebounds combined in her first two seasons (48 games).
MULLANEY BOLSTERS BENCH: Junior guard Kelly Jo Mullaney continues to give Colorado key minutes and punch off the bench. She has provided double-digit minutes in 10 of the last 12 games and has made six of her last 10 from 3-point range. Mullaney averages 4.0 points and 2.0 rebounds for the Buffaloes and has hit 17-of-31 from 3-point range on the season. She had made just nine 3-pointers in 28 games in 2008-09. Mullaney is 11-of-19 from 3-point range during the Big 12 schedule.
ABOUT THE AGGIES: No. 12 (AP)/15 (WBCA) Texas A&M is 19-7 overall and tied with Oklahoma State and Baylor for fifth place in the Big 12 at 7-6, just one game out of that ever-important fourth position which is currently held by Texas at 8-5. The Aggies rank third in the Big 12 in scoring (74.2 ppg) and top the league in assists (15.8 apg). Texas A&M is also solid defensively, leading the league in turnover margin (+5.5) and ranking second in steals (9.6 spg) and fourth in scoring defense (59.8 ppg).
Junior Danielle Adams leads Texas A&M in scoring average (15.3 ppg), rebounding (5.7 rpg) and blocks (1.5 bpg) eventhough she primarily comes off the bench. Senior guard Tanisha Smith is second in scoring (15.0 ppg) and ranks second in the Big 12 in steals (2.3 spg). Sophomore guard Tyra White averages 10.5 points and 4.3 rebounds while hitting 53 percent from the field.
SERIES RECORDS: This will be the 18th meeting between Colorado and Texas A&M with the Buffaloes holding a 10-7 series lead. Texas A&M has won the last six meetings, including a 78-50 decision last season in College Station. Colorado is 6-2 all-time against the Aggies in Boulder, but A&M has won the last two. CU's last win over Texas A&M was a 70-58 win in Boulder on Jan. 21, 2004. Kathy McConnell-Miller is 0-6 against Texas A&M as a head coach, 0-5 while at Colorado.
COLORADO AND TEXAS
A&M, LAST 10:
Date
Result
Date
Result
2/14/09
(A)
L,
50-79
2/5/05
(A)
L, 62-72
1/16/08
(H)
L,
68-72
1/21/04
(H)
W, 70-58
3/7/07
(N)
L,
45-62
2/8/03
(A)
W,
55-49
1/18/07
(A)
L,
58-74
1/19/02
(H)
W, 88-70
1/24/06
(H)
L,
46-55
2/17/01
(A)
W, 67-54
AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS: Colorado will be looking to end a 20-game losing streak against ranked teams and 17-game skid against teams ranked in both AP and WBCA Coaches polls (Iowa State was ranked only in the WBCA poll in the meeting earlier this season as was Kansas State in two meetings in 2008-09). CU's last win over a ranked opponent was a 73-68 decision over No. 15/15 Kansas State on Feb. 23, 2008.
BIG 12 HONORS BUFFS: Colorado has been cited by the Big 12 Conference for weekly honors three times this season. Junior Brittany Spears was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Co-Player of the Week on Nov. 23, Meagan Malcolm-Peck was the Freshman of the Week on Dec. 28 and Chucky Jeffery was named top freshman on Jan. 11.
CU's three weekly recognitions are its most since 2007-08 when Spears was named Freshman of the Week four times and Bianca Smith was Player of the Week once. It is also the first time that two different CU newcomers have earned Freshman/Rookie of the Week honors in the same season since 2004-05 when Kara Richards and Jackie McFarland were both recognized.
Jeffery averaged 15.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 5.0 steals in Colorado's wins over Yale and Missouri. She tied a career-best with 19 points, connecting on all seven of her field goals attempts against Yale. Displaying her all-around game, Jeffery also registered a personal and team season-best nine assists to go along with seven rebounds, five steals and two blocked shots. Jeffery made her Big 12 debut by scoring 12 points and equaling a career-best eight rebounds and five steals in the win over Missouri. She hit 5-of-10 from the floor and also dished our four assists.
Malcolm-Peck pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds with four points in Colorado's win over San Jose State - her second double-digit rebounding effort of the season. She also recorded personal bests with four steals and three assists while tying a career high with three blocked shots. Malcolm-Peck's four steals came in the first eight minutes of the game as the Buffaloes built a 46-13 lead in the first half. For Malcolm-Peck it is her first weekly honor.
Spears was named to the Minnesota Subway Classic All-Tournament team after averaging 23 points and 10 rebounds in two games. She scored 19 points and pulled down seven rebounds in 25 minutes in the 63-49 win over Illinois-Chicago. She then recorded her 17th career double-double and second of the season with a game-high 27 points and 13 rebounds against Minnesota in the tournament final. She reached a double-double before intermission with 16 points and 10 rebounds in the opening 20 minutes. Spears hit 10-of-20 shots from the field and added four assists and four steals.
For Spears it was her fifth career Big 12 weekly honor, and first as Player of the Week.
STEAL-Y EYED: Colorado has been picking up steals in bunches this season. CU, which ranks third in the Big 12 in steals at 8.8 per game, has double-digit steals in 11 of 26 games this season. CU had only five games with double-digit steals in 2008-09. The 11 games of double-digit steals are the most in a season since the Buffaloes had 12 in 2003-04.
INDIVIDUALLY SPEAKING: Junior Brittany Spears leads Colorado with 56 steals this season and her 2.2 per game average ranks fourth in the Big 12. Spears, who already ranks 11th on CU's all-time steals list with 168, is the first player since CU All-American Shelley Sheetz to record 50 steals in each of her first three seasons (1991-92 to 1993-94). Freshman Chucky Jeffery is right behind Spears in number with 54 steals, ranking fourth in the Big 12 on a per game basis (2.2 spg).
CLIMBING THE LADDERS: Junior Brittany Spears and Senior Bianca Smith continue to make their impressions on the CU record book.
Spears, who became just the second player in team history (Lisa Van Goor) to reach 1,000 points as a sophomore, is 10th in all-time scoring (1,475), needing just 26 points to move into ninth. She is also sixth in 3-pointers made (152) and attempted (443), seventh in blocked shots (113), ninth in rebounds (706), 11th in steals (168), 12th in field goals made (536) and 17th in free throws made (251).
Smith is CU's all-time leader in 3-pointers attempted (679) and needs just one 3-pointer made to catch former CU All-American Shelley Sheetz for her career record of 252 set from 1991-95. Smith, who currently leads the Big 12 with 76 3-pointers this season, is the Big 12's active career leader in 3-pointers made and is ninth on the league's all-time 3-point list.
Smith is 19th on CU's all-time scoring list with 1,099, needing eight to move into 18th.
MORE SMITH FROM '3': Bianca Smith has 76 3-pointers this season which is third on CU's single-season list. She has already passed her 2008-09 season total of 63 and needs only four to break her own single-season school record of 80 set in 2007-08. Smith is the only player to appear on CU's single-season Top 10 for 3-pointers made in three different seasons.
RECORD NIGHT FROM '3': Colorado was on fire at Nebraska, making 15 3-point field goals on just 27 attempts (.556). The 15 3-pointers made were the Buffaloes most ever on the road and the second-best total in team history, just one off the 16 made against Buffalo on Jan. 3, 2004. Additionally, the 15 3-pointers set a Bob Devaney Sports Center record as well as a Nebraska opponent mark.
Colorado ranks second in the Big 12 and 15th in the nation at 7.6 3-pointers made per game. CU's 205 3-pointers rank second on CU's single-season list, trailing only the 2007-08 WNIT semifinalist squad which holds the current school record with 236.
HOUSTON TAKES LEAVE: Junior guard Whitney Houston has taken a leave of absence from the women's basketball team for personal reasons Kathy McConnell-Miller announced prior to CU's Big 12 opening win over Missouri. Houston, a native of Memphis, Tenn., had appeared in 12 of CU's 13 games prior to the announcement, logging two starts and averaging 4.2 points and 1.3 assists per game. No timetable has been set on her return.
SHUTTING DOWN OPPONENT'S 'O' EARLY: Colorado held San Jose State to 13 first-half points. Combined with the 11 allowed against Southern Utah in the previous game, the 24 points in back-to-back first halves are the lowest combined total in team history. The previous low total was 27 in 2001-02 in games against San Diego (36-18) and Bowling Green (53-9).
NUGGETS FROM THE SOUTHERN UTAH GAME: Colorado's 88-36 win over Southern Utah entered the Buffaloes' record book on several fronts:
Colorado's 42 point halftime lead (53-11) tied for the second largest in team history. The Buffaloes also held a 42 point lead against Colorado State on Nov. 16 1979 (63-21). The school record is a 44 point lead CU had against Bowling Green on Nov. 23, 2001 (53-9).
Southern Utah's 11 first half points tied for the fifth fewest by a CU opponent in any half. The school record is 8 set against Kansas State on March 7, 1992 (46-8).
Fewest Points In
One Half By An Opponent
Date
Opponent
Points
3/7/92
vs. Kansas
State
8
11/23/01 vs.
Bowling
Green
9
12/9/98
at
Wyoming
10
12/31/91 vs.
New
Mexcio
10
12/19/09 vs. Southern
Utah
11
3/17/95
vs. SW Missouri
State
11
Colorado's final winning margin of 52 points are CU's most since a 96-44 win over Bowling Green on Nov. 23, 2001.
Southern Utah's 36 total points tied for the 10th fewest allowed in team history and the fewest since giving up 35 to Kansas on Jan. 16, 2002.
IMPRESSIVE POINT SWING: The 63 point swing from last year's 77-40 loss to Seton Hall to this year's 80-54 win is the second largest in a series in team history (games no longer than two seasons apart). The Buffaloes had a 67 point swing against Idaho State during the 1981-82 season. Here are the top point swings in team history.
Opponent
Margin
Date
Margin
Date
Difference
Idaho State -6
(55-61) 1/22/82 +61 (116-55) 2/13/82
+67
Seton Hall -37 (40-77)
12/9/08 +26 (80-54)12/6/09 +63
Nebraska
-41 (49-90) 1/6/99 +17
(70-53) 1/23/99 +58
Colorado State -39
(42-81) 2/6/75 +15
(53-38) 11/20/75 +54
Illinois
-44 (44-88) 1/4/98 +8
(78-70) 12/28/99 +52
Texas
A&M -9
(60-69) 1/6/92 +41
(92-51) 12/31/92 +50
FRESHMAN DEBUTS: A pair of true freshmen made their collegiate debuts and made significant contributions to the Buffaloes come-back win against UC Irvine. Forward Meagan Malcolm-Peck got the starting nod and responded with six points, 11 rebounds, three blocks and three steals. Guard Chucky Jeffery came off the bench and registered four points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Malcolm-Peck's start marked the fourth straight year the Buffaloes have had a freshman in the initial season starting lineup. The three others: Bianca Smith in 2006, Brittany Spears in 2007 and Alyssa Fressle in 2008.
MEMORABLE COMEBACK: Colorado's comeback from a 14-point halftime deficit to win against UC Irvine ties for the third-largest margin achieved in team history. The Buffaloes trailed the Anteaters 33-19 at the break before outscoring them 42-23 in the final 20 minutes.
Colorado came back from 19 down against the University of Washington on Dec. 21, 1982, at the Guisti Tournament in Portland, Ore.CU trailed 35-16 at halftime before winning 67-65. Colorado came back from 15 points down against Kansas State on Jan. 31, 2007, that game included a 23-0 second half run.
CU's Top Halftime Comebacks:
Date
Opp.
Half
Final
Margin
12/21/82 Washington
(N) UW
35-16 CU
67-65 19
1/31/07 Kansas
State (H) KS
39-24 CU
66-55
15
11/15/09 UC Irvine
(H) UCI 33-19 CU
61-56 14
12/1/83 Wyoming
(A)
UW 35-21 CU 57-56
14
12/20/03 Southern Cal
(A) SC 39-27 CU
69-67
12
2/19/00 Texas
(H)
UT 38-26 CU
79-65 12
CAPTAINS NAMED: Before the season opener head coach Kathy McConnell-Miller announced that Brittany Spears, Whitney Houston and Bianca Smith were named captains for the 2009-10 season. Smith is a captain for the second straight year while Houston and Spears are first time captains. CU captains are voted on by the players.
BUFFS IN OPENERS: Colorado is now 31-5 (.861) all-time in season openers and started the season with a home game for the 24th time in 36 seasons. Colorado is an outstanding 34-2 (.944) all-time in home openers. Colorado has never lost its overall season opener when played at home (24-0).
TOUGH SCHEDULE: Colorado once again faces a tough schedule with potentially 16 games -- or 55 percent of the regular season schedule -- against 2009 NCAA or WNIT tournament teams. Eight of CU's 2009-10 opponents are currently ranked in both the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Coaches and Associated Press polls.
HOME AT THE CECC: Colorado is traditionally tough at home with a 340-112 all-time record at the Coors Events/Conference Center (.752). The Buffaloes have won 10 or more games in a season at the CECC in 21 of the previous 32 years. The Buffaloes have enjoyed five undefeated seasons (1980-83, 1992-94) at the CECC.
BUFFS ON TV: Colorado's regular season schedule featured nine games televised either regionally or nationally, eight of which were at home. CU opened its first of eight FSN Rocky Mountain games on Dec. 2, against Denver. FSN Rocky Mountain also televised home games against Virginia (Jan. 2), Missouri (Jan. 9), Iowa State (Jan. 16), Oklahoma State (Jan. 24), Nebraska (Jan. 30), Texas (Feb. 10) and Kansas (Feb. 16). The games against Missouri and Oklahoma State were televised nationally on FSN as part of the network's Big 12 package. Colorado's game at Kansas State (Jan. 20) was produced by FSN Kansas City, but will also picked up by FSN Rocky Mountain.
CU has appeared on 81 regional or national telecasts over the last nine seasons.
BUFFS SIGN THREE: Shae Kelley, Ashley Wilson and Brittany Wilson have signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball and continue their education at the University of Colorado in 2010-11, CU head coach Kathy McConnell-Miller announced Nov. 12, during the NCAA early signing period. Kelley, a 6-foot forward from Denver, is a two-time All-State honorable mention and All-Denver Prep League pick out of East High School. Kelley will be the fifth Denver Public Schools player to suit up for the Buffaloes and the first since Montbello's Nikki Weddle (1997-99). Ashley and Brittany are identical twin 5-8 guards from Long Beach, Calif. Playing for one of the most storied programs in Southern California, the Wilson twins have won three consecutive CIF Division I state titles with nationally-ranked Long Beach Poly.
SMITH GAINS FULL SEASON: Senior guard Bianca Smith was formally released from the National Letter of Intent she originally signed at the University of Tulsa earlier this summer, allowing her to gain back the semester of eligibility she would have otherwise had to surrender this season. Smith is now eligible to play the entire 2009-10 season for the Buffaloes. Smith, a native of Missouri City, Texas, had signed an NLI in November 2004 with Tulsa, who at the time was coached by current CU head coach Kathy McConnell-Miller. When McConnell-Miller took over the Colorado program in April 2005, Smith decided to follow her to Boulder.
She never enrolled at Tulsa, but was faced with sitting out two full seasons, one for not honoring her NLI commitment to Tulsa and a second for transferring to another NCAA Division I school. Smith was able to use her redshirt year to fulfill the NCAA transfer obligation, sitting out the 2005-06 season. She successfully petitioned the NLI Appeals Committee in 2005 to gain one semester back, but was still faced with losing one semester under the NLI commitment.
In the spring of 2009 then-CU-Boulder Chancellor Bud Peterson contacted Tulsa President, Dr. Steadman Upham, on behalf of Smith and the University of Colorado to ask for Smith's full release. Thanks to cooperation from both universities and athletic departments, Smith was released and rewarded a full final season.
BUFFS PICKED 11TH...AGAIN: For the fourth straight season Colorado was picked to finish 11th in the annaul Big 12 Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.
In one of the closest votes at the top in recent memory, Baylor was picked to win the 2010 title with five first place votes and 109 total points, edging out Texas and Kansas who tied for second with 106 points (3 first place votes each). Texas A&M was picked fourth with 87 votes and picked up the final first place vote. Defending champion Oklahoma was fifth (86), followed by Nebraska (80), Iowa State (59), Kansas State (44), Oklahoma State (41), Texas Tech (38), Colorado (22) and Missouri (15).
The Buffaloes have fared better than the Big 12 coaches preseason prediction three of four seasons under Kathy McConnell-Miller:
Season
Preseason
Actual
2009-10
11th
??
2008-09
11th
12th
2007-08
11th
9th
2006-07
11th
t-7th
2005-06
12th
11th