Colorado University Athletics
MBB Hosts Missouri Saturday
NEAR MISSES: CU's near upset of top-ranked Kansas and loss by single-digits was the 27th time the Buffs have come up short under coach Bzdelik. Almost half of CU's 53 losses are an average of 4.6 points.
2009-10: 7 games (three non-conference, four Big 12): 30 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.).
BUFF TIDBITS: Cory Higgins and Alec Burks are separated by 56 points, the closest 1-2 scoring punch a CU team has had since 2003-04 [David Harrison (497, 17.1 ppg) and Michel Morandais (467, 16.1 ppg.)] GÇó CU is 10-2 at home (Buffs went 14-2 at home in 2005-06) GÇó CU is 8-3 when shooting 50 percent or better from the field; first three games shot over 50 percent from the field, haven't shot over 50 percent in the last five games and are 41.2 percent over that span GÇó CU had a season-low four turnovers at ISU, the lowest in 28 years (Dec. 8, 1982, CU defeated Colorado State, 57-55). On the season, CU has committed single-digits miscues five times.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES: With his injury at Iowa State, Alec Burks reeled off 20-straight games in double-digits. He's fourth nationally in points per game (16.3) GÇó In his last five games, Cory Higgins is averaging 15.6 ppg., 4.2 rpg. and a team-best 12 steals GÇó Higgins is eighth all-time at CU with 346 career made free throws and his career .807 FT percentage, ranks sixth all-time at CU GÇó Burks and Higgins have led or shared scoring team honors 18 of 22 games. Marcus Relphorde (three times), Dwight Thorne (once) are the others.
TIGERS UPDATE: Missouri is 16-6 overall and 4-3 in Big 12 play, and are coming their first home loss of the season against Texas A&M on Feb. 3 (77-74). Mizzou has struggled on the road this season at 1-4 overall (1-2 in the Big 12). They defeated Texas Tech on the road in overtime and have lost to Kansas and Oklahoma. Head Coach Mike Anderson is in his fourth season at Mizzou (81-41, .664).
TEAM NOTES: CU has not out-rebounded the opponent in the last 13 games, only grabbed a season-high 41 against Kansas GÇó Of the six players averaging 21 minutes or more minutes a game, five are all are shooting 71 or better from the FT line GÇó CU has shot 50 percent or better in the second half 11 times (7-4 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 15 of 22 games and are 10-5 in those games GÇó Over the last 14 years, CU is performing a best in field goal percentage (.473), 3pt% (.375), FT% (.762) and a low in turnovers per game (12.5).
AFTER EIGHT BIG 12 GAMES: CU is 2-6 with wins over Baylor and Nebraska and have placed three players in double-figures, averaging 73.4 points per game and shooting .451 percent from the field. However, on the negative, they are getting outrebounded by an average of 40.5 to 27.4 margin, and are being outscored by a mere 3.4 points.
MOVING ON UP: Alec Burks has started 21 games and netted over 10 or more points in 20 of 21 games. With 343 points for the season, Burks is seventh 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, 2009-10 343
8) 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 25
10) 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.
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
MORE BURKS: Five games over 20 points GÇó led CU in rebounding nine times (three shared) and scoring nine times (three shared) GÇó 14 games this season shooting over 50 percent from the field; seven games over 60 percent GÇó Second in team scoring 16.3 ppg.; first in rebounding (4.7 rpg.) and FG% (.531); fourth in assists (37, 1.8); tied for third with 25 steals.
HIGGINS UPDATE: Cory Higgins has led the team in scoring 11 of 22 games (one shared); has nine 20-plus scoring efforts this season, in addition to his 21 career efforts GÇó Scored 1,203 career, ranking 17th overall GÇó Started every game as a Buff (85, 9th) GÇó 9th in career steals (134) GÇó 12th in minutes played (2,949) GÇó 22nd in assists (207) 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 107 career collegiate wins GÇó CU has scored 80 points in eight of 22 games this season (previously 80+ five games in his first two years) GÇó CU has scored 70 or more points 15 of 22 games (10-5 this season) GÇó team has shot 50 percent or better in 21 of 44 halves GÇó have made 145 3-pointers, the most in three years after 22 games GÇó team is shooting .473, another three-year best.