Kansas Looks to Avoid a Trap in Boulder
Preview coming a day early because tomorrow is NATIONAL SIGNING DAY. If you were around last year you might remember our all day coverage and we will be ATTEMPTING to do the same tomorrow. Basically starting in the morning and running through the afternoon we'll go position by position giving highlights, interviews and whatever else we can find on the signees. Consider it your forum to talk about the players that are putting ink to paper and making it official that they will be Jayhawks. Hopefully we'll even have a couple last minute surprises. Should be fun so join us if you can.

Kansas vs. Colorado
No. 1 Kansas continues its two-game road swing at Colorado on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 8 p.m. (Central). The Jayhawks are 20-1 and 6-0 in Big 12 play after their 81-79 overtime win at Kansas State Saturday. KU has won 20 games in each of the last 21 seasons, which is the longest active streak in NCAA Division I. Colorado is 11-10
on the season and 2-5 in conference play. The Buffaloes lost at Iowa State 64-63 Saturday.
| PPG | FG% | FT% | 3P% | RPG | ORPG | DRPG | APG | TPG | SPG | BPG | FPG | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KU | 84.7 | 49.6 | 71.0 | 41.2 | 41.6 | 13.4 | 28.2 | 18.1 | 13.2 | 8.8 | 6.3 | 18.6 | |
| COLO | 75.8 | 47.8 | 76.7 | 38.1 | 28.5 | 7.5 | 21.0 | 14.2 | 12.4 | 8.6 | 2.3 | 21.6 | |
| KU Opponents | 62.5 | 36.3 | 68.7 | 31.6 | 33.5 | 12.9 | 20.6 | 12.6 | 14.8 | 6.2 | 3.5 | 20.1 | |
| COLO Opponents | 71.9 | 45.0 | 71.7 | 33.2 | 35.1 | 12.0 | 23.1 | 12.3 | 15.8 | 5.8 | 3.3 | 21.1 |
| Rank and Records | KU | COLO | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RPI | #1 | #142 | |
| Strength of Schedule | #15 | #70 | |
| Overall | 20-1 | 11-10 | |
| Conference | 6-0 | 2-5 | |
| Home | 13-0 | 10-1 | |
| Away | 5-1 | 1-7 | |
| Top 25 | 6-1 | 0-3 | |
| RPI Top 50 | 7-1 | 2-4 |
Kansas, who is ranked No. 1 for the 10th time this season, is 6-0 in Big 12 play for the second-straight year. The Jayhawks average 84.7 points per game and give up 62.9 ppg for a Big 12-leading +22.2 scoring margin. In Big 12 play, Kansas is scoring 83.9 points per game and holds a +14.7 scoring margin.
Colorado has lost four of its last five games with three of those losses coming by six points or less. The Buffs are 10-1 at home this season. CU averages 75.8 points per game and gives up 71.9. The Buffs lead the Big 12 in free throw percentage at 76.7 percent, while Kansas is sixth at 71 percent.
Junior guard Cory Higgins leads Colorado in scoring at 18.3 points per game, which is fifth in the Big 12. Higgins is one of four CU players who have made 20 three-pointers this season and he leads the team with 39 steals. His 51
assists are second on the squad and he is third in the Big 12 with an 83.1 free throw percentage.
Freshman guard Alec Burks is next in scoring with 16.3 ppg and he leads CU with 4.7 rebounds per contest. Junior
forward Marcus Relphorde is a starter who scores 10.4 points per game and has 22 three-pointers, while senior guard Dwight Thome II comes off the bench to score 8.9 ppg and has a team-high 27 threes.
Sophomore forward Austin Dufault (6.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg) and sophomore guard Nate Tomlinson (5.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg) are both starters. Tomlinson has 20 three-pointers, leads the team with 90 assists and his 4.3 assists per game average is sixth in the Big 12. Junior forward Casey Crawford (4.2 ppg) and junior guard Levi Knutson (2.8 ppg) are both regulars off the bench for CU.
Meet the Opposing Coach
Colorado coach Jeff Bzdelik is in his third season at CU with a 32-52 record. Bzdelik is in his seventh season at the collegiate level with a 107-99 overall record. Bzdelik came to Colorado from the United States Air Force Academy, where he guided the Falcons to a 50-16 record (a 75.8 winning percentage) in two seasons from 2005-07. During those two seasons he led the Falcons to a 2005-06 NCAA Tournament and a 2006-07 NIT Final Four appearance. Bzdelik brings 30 years of coaching experience to CU from the collegiate and professional ranks. He returned to the college game in 2005-06 after 15 seasons as both a coach and scout in the NBA, including two-and-a-half seasons as head coach of the Denver Nuggets. Bzdelik is 0-4 against Kansas.
This series dates back to 1931 and Kansas leads 117-39, including a 37-26 record in Boulder (22-7 in the Coors Events Conference Center). Kansas has won 13 straight and 40 of the last 41 meetings with CU dating back to 1991. The last Colorado win in the series was a 60-59 thriller on Jan. 22, 2003, in Boulder. The previous CU win was a 79-71 victory on Feb. 20, 1991, also in Boulder. Kansas has won the last six meetings with Colorado in the Coors Events Conference Center starting in 2004. Since the inception of the Big 12, Kansas is 26-1 against Colorado - 25-1 in regular-season play and 1-0 in the league championship.
- Kansas played its first overtime game of the season at Kansas State and its first overtime versus the Wildcats since Jan. 14, 1989, a Kansas 75-74 win in Manhattan.
- The Jayhawks shot 50.0 percent from the field and have made at least half of their field goals in 12 of 21 games this season.
- KU held the Wildcats to 40.0 percent shooting from the field and have held 16 of 21 opponents this season to under 40 percent shooting.
- Kansas scored 81 or more points for the sixth game in a row and 16th time this season.
- Kansas' two-point victory was its narrowest margin of victory since defeating Memphis by two points (57-55) on Nov. 17 earlier this season.
- Kansas State's 29 field goals and 79 points scored were the most by a KU opponent this season.
- Junior Cole Aldrich scored a team-high 18 points for his fifth-straight game of double-digit scoring. He added 11 rebounds for his third consecutive outing with a double-double and his ninth double-double this season. He has nine-plus boards in 10 of the last 12 games.
- Marcus Morris finished with his third double-double of the season scoring 13 points and pulling down 10 rebounds, which were one shy of his career high.
- Brady Morningstar scored a season-high 14 points and added a season-high three steals. He sank a pair of three-pointers in the win for his second contest with multiple treys this season.
- Tyshawn Taylor made a season-high eight free throws. He scored in double figures (12) for the sixth time this year.
Kansas junior Cole Aldrich Aldrich averaged a double-double (15.0 points, 13.5 rebounds) to help the Jayhawks win two rivalry games last week and was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Player of the Week for the second time this season. The center posted 12 points and 16 rebounds in an 84-65 win over Missouri. He followed that performance with 18 points and 11 boards as KU recorded an 81-79 overtime victory at Kansas State. In two games, he shot 50 percent (9-of-18) and made 12-of-18 from the free throw line. Aldrich also had 10 blocks, including a season-high seven versus Mizzou. He has recorded double-doubles in each of his last three outings and has nine overall this season. Aldrich was also the league player of the week on Jan. 4.
| GP | GS | MPG | PPG | FG% | FT% | 3P% | RPG | ORPG | DRPG | APG | TPG | SPG | BPG | FPG | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #4 | S. Collins | 21 | 21 | 31.714 | 15.524 | 45.3 | 86.1 | 38.9 | 2.048 | 0.19 | 1.857 | 4.143 | 2.048 | 1.238 | 0.0 | 1.571 | |
| #1 | X. Henry | 21 | 21 | 27.095 | 13.667 | 44.4 | 77.9 | 40.4 | 4.095 | 1.048 | 3.048 | 1.952 | 2.19 | 1.857 | 0.476 | 1.952 | |
| #45 | C. Aldrich | 21 | 21 | 26.476 | 11.571 | 55.3 | 72.1 | 0.0 | 10.286 | 3.19 | 7.095 | 1.0 | 1.476 | 0.619 | 3.571 | 2.524 | |
| #22 | M. Morris | 21 | 18 | 24.0 | 12.619 | 58.1 | 73.6 | 36.8 | 5.952 | 2.762 | 3.19 | 0.905 | 1.095 | 1.048 | 0.333 | 2.476 | |
| T. Taylor | 21 | 15 | 22.524 | 7.143 | 44.3 | 73.1 | 33.3 | 2.476 | 0.524 | 1.952 | 3.476 | 1.905 | 1.048 | 0.095 | 2.238 | ||
| #21 | M. Morris | 21 | 2 | 15.762 | 6.095 | 56.5 | 56.8 | 63.6 | 5.238 | 1.524 | 3.714 | 1.19 | 1.143 | 0.571 | 0.762 | 2.381 | |
| #14 | T. Reed | 21 | 0 | 14.857 | 4.81 | 47.4 | 75.0 | 44.1 | 1.286 | 0.095 | 1.19 | 1.286 | 0.476 | 0.762 | 0.095 | 0.762 | |
| #12 | B. Morningstar | 12 | 4 | 24.0 | 5.917 | 50.0 | 84.6 | 46.2 | 2.5 | 0.75 | 1.75 | 3.25 | 1.167 | 1.167 | 0.167 | 1.417 | |
| #0 | T. Robinson | 20 | 1 | 9.5 | 3.5 | 48.2 | 40.0 | 0.0 | 3.55 | 1.35 | 2.2 | 0.45 | 1.05 | 0.2 | 0.65 | 1.6 | |
| #15 | E. Johnson | 17 | 2 | 8.0 | 3.059 | 54.3 | 66.7 | 30.8 | 1.294 | 0.471 | 0.824 | 1.706 | 0.765 | 0.412 | 0.059 | 1.235 | |
| #13 | C. Henry | 11 | 0 | 6.455 | 3.636 | 60.9 | 50.0 | 55.0 | 0.818 | 0.091 | 0.727 | 0.364 | 0.182 | 0.455 | 0.091 | 1.091 | |
| #2 | C. Teahan | 12 | 0 | 5.333 | 1.583 | 33.3 | 66.7 | 37.5 | 1.333 | 0.833 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.333 | 0.167 | 0.083 | 0.5 | |
| GP | GS | MPG | PPG | FG% | FT% | 3P% | RPG | ORPG | DRPG | APG | TPG | SPG | BPG | FPG | |||
| #11 | C. Higgins | 21 | 21 | 32.905 | 18.333 | 50.0 | 83.1 | 32.8 | 3.524 | 0.524 | 3.0 | 2.429 | 2.19 | 1.762 | 0.381 | 2.619 | |
| #10 | A. Burks | 21 | 21 | 29.048 | 16.333 | 53.1 | 77.9 | 27.5 | 4.714 | 1.714 | 3.0 | 1.762 | 1.714 | 1.19 | 0.429 | 2.095 | |
| #1 | N. Tomlinson | 21 | 12 | 26.619 | 5.714 | 46.2 | 80.0 | 42.6 | 2.619 | 0.286 | 2.333 | 4.286 | 2.0 | 1.333 | 0.0 | 2.19 | |
| #5 | M. Relphorde | 21 | 21 | 25.81 | 10.429 | 40.2 | 72.1 | 33.3 | 3.571 | 0.857 | 2.714 | 1.714 | 2.0 | 1.19 | 0.143 | 3.0 | |
| #33 | A. Dufault | 21 | 18 | 23.667 | 6.81 | 50.0 | 64.4 | 45.2 | 3.429 | 1.0 | 2.429 | 0.952 | 0.714 | 0.905 | 0.381 | 3.095 | |
| #12 | D. Thorne II | 20 | 9 | 21.8 | 8.85 | 50.0 | 88.0 | 51.9 | 2.1 | 0.25 | 1.85 | 1.75 | 1.05 | 0.7 | 0.05 | 2.3 | |
| #13 | S. Harris-Tunks | 21 | 3 | 11.619 | 1.952 | 62.1 | 38.5 | 0.0 | 1.667 | 0.333 | 1.333 | 0.19 | 1.333 | 0.619 | 0.524 | 2.286 | |
| #34 | C. Crawford | 17 | 0 | 13.059 | 4.235 | 43.1 | 69.2 | 40.6 | 2.059 | 0.706 | 1.353 | 0.294 | 0.471 | 0.294 | 0.235 | 2.176 | |
| #35 | K. Hornbuckle | 18 | 0 | 12.056 | 2.5 | 45.2 | 25.0 | 50.0 | 1.722 | 0.611 | 1.111 | 0.556 | 0.389 | 0.444 | 0.111 | 0.944 | |
| #24 | L. Knutson | 13 | 0 | 10.692 | 2.846 | 32.1 | 78.9 | 26.7 | 1.538 | 0.308 | 1.231 | 0.538 | 0.154 | 0.462 | 0.0 | 0.923 | |
| #55 | T. Eckloff | 10 | 0 | 5.5 | 0.8 | 30.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.6 | |
| #14 | J. Coney | 5 | 0 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 |
0 recs |
23 comments
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Comments
What are the odds?
Anyone have the odds that we come out sluggish, and maybe even trail at halftime. I’d be really surprised (and disappointed) if we actually lost this game, but coming off the win and the press clippings, you can almost see us just sleepwalking through a half out there, can’t you?
Hope I’m wrong.
That's my concern, definitely
The fact is, Colorado is a pretty good team, and they’ll be amped to play the #1 team in the country (just like everybody else). If we don’t come out with the intensity to match the Buffs, it will be a long, nerve-wracking night for Jayhawk fans. If, however, we come out and step on them early, we may be able to end it early.
I just want a good start. If we play the first 10 minutes well, we’ll be fine.
Operation 39-1 is a go. Proceed to target.
And then again.....
certain players (X) might be really amped up to get back out on the court and prove they can be relied upon. Other players (TT, EJ, TRob, Withey) might be amped up at the prospect of getting lots of playing time and getting a shot to prove they deserve it!
I’m just trying to look at the positive side of this situation. Oh. Wait…….that’s not usually my role on this mb…….
There simply is no substitute for experience.
Well
even if we struggle, they are going to have to shoot extremely well to win since they don’t offensive rebound at all, and we’re going to have to shoot extremely poorly to lose, since they can’t defensive rebound at all.
Beadlemaniacs - Award winning* college basketball blog
You know you like college hockey
Signing day all day tomorrow?
and my class is over at 11. Hmmm, I have a test to study for Denver, why must you make me spend all day on RCT
Beadlemaniacs - Award winning* college basketball blog
You know you like college hockey
It’ll be worth it when Florida’s entire class decides to switch to Kansas at the last minute.
"Here are our top priorities: recruit, beat Missouri, recruit, win the North, recruit, win the Big 12, and in most cases if you win the Big 12 then you're playing for a National Championship. And then we're going to recruit."
by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Feb 2, 2010 10:40 AM CST up reply actions
Are you implying
HCTG will have a dream tonight about coaching the entire Florida class?
Are we really 6-1 against Top 25 teams?
Wins:
KState
Temple
Cornell
Baylor
Memphis?
Cal?
Loss:
Tennessee
"Here are our top priorities: recruit, beat Missouri, recruit, win the North, recruit, win the Big 12, and in most cases if you win the Big 12 then you're playing for a National Championship. And then we're going to recruit."
by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Feb 2, 2010 10:39 AM CST reply actions
I only count 4-1
Cal is top 25 in the KenPom though
Beadlemaniacs - Award winning* college basketball blog
You know you like college hockey
Know this basketball discussion but...
heard rumor that jabari Price, corner committed to UNC, had something on his facebook saying he was changing to KU…. Denver have you heard anything on this?
yep...
we discussed it in the OGT last night a little bit. He’s backtracked a little on what he said but I would say this is one to keep an eye on for tomorrow. I like Kansas’ chances with this.
52 Conference Championships!! Holy Hell...Good Luck with That!!
that would be great addition to secondary
do you recall exactly what his facebook said? Cause last article I saw on him he said that he didnt take the visit and was solid with UNC
I can't recall off hand but I did check with him last night....
to try and line up an interview in case he does switch. He told me he would be happy to if he changes but said that right now he’s still a Tar Heel commit. I asked him when he would decide and he said either today or signing day. Still this isn’t the first time he’s made a comment about Kansas, when I first spoke to him prior to him possibly visiting he called Coach Darrel Wyatt “the man with the plan”.
We’ll see…he might stick with UNC but I think we’re in it.
52 Conference Championships!! Holy Hell...Good Luck with That!!
That would be excellent
can always use more speed/secondary in our conference
Beadlemaniacs - Award winning* college basketball blog
You know you like college hockey
Know this basketball discussion but...
heard rumor that jabari Price, corner committed to UNC, had something on his facebook saying he was changing to KU…. Denver have you heard anything on this?
For the text, stats, etc quoted above
I take it these are from websites, and probably should be cited. Just saying, but it just occurred to me that a mention of where it came from and a link would be a good step toward CYA.
Zapp Brannigan/Dayton Moore quote of the day: "In the game of chess you can never let your opponent see your pieces"
by SagehenMacGyver47 on Feb 2, 2010 12:43 PM CST reply actions
The text for these...
has always come from the KUAD office as part of their press release that is emailed out to me as well as others. It is also posted on their site in it’s entirety for public viewing. I used to link the entire PDF for people on here but it gets pretty long so I started posting just the areas I find the most interesting and useful.
They send out a release prior to every game and different people use it in different ways. Some cut and past the whole preview, like I said, I cut it down and mix in the charts to give a little different look.
As far as the stats they are linked to the originating website statsheet.com in the format they provide.
52 Conference Championships!! Holy Hell...Good Luck with That!!
that makes sense
i hadn’t considered that it came from KU.
Zapp Brannigan/Dayton Moore quote of the day: "In the game of chess you can never let your opponent see your pieces"
by SagehenMacGyver47 on Feb 2, 2010 1:51 PM CST up reply actions
Random Hoops Thoughts
1. Ole Miss looks terrible. Tons of just boneheaded plays. How did they beat KState?
2. The hot trend in basketball seems to be big-time recruits waiting until after signing day to pick a team- why is it different for football?
"Here are our top priorities: recruit, beat Missouri, recruit, win the North, recruit, win the Big 12, and in most cases if you win the Big 12 then you're playing for a National Championship. And then we're going to recruit."
by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Feb 2, 2010 6:25 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Supply and demand
Texas has guys racing for scholarships and ready to commit the day they can as juniors. They don’t want to miss out on the spot. With basketball teams aren’t usually filling all their scholarships with top talent.
52 Conference Championships!! Holy Hell...Good Luck with That!!

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