A lot of information today. The Boulder Daily Camera is really breaking down the PAC 10 move today with three articles on the subject. Some other quick news pieces:
-WR Andre Simmons missed yesterday's practice for personal reasons. He is expected to be at practice Tuesday.
-The Buffs basketball team has finished the regular season on a three game win streak to even their record at 15 - 15 and nab the #8 seed. Yesterday, they took care of Texas Tech 101 - 90 behind another impressive effort from the big three - Marcus Relphorde, Alec Burks and Cory Higgins. The trio combined for 72 of the 101 points and shot an amazing 24 of 35 from the field. Burks also grabbed nine boards to lead the Buffs. Colorado will face Tech again on Wednesday in the first round of the Big 12 tournament. The game will be televised on Altitude, 10:30 am.
It wasn't a flawless performance for the Buffs. After being up 18 at halftime, Texas Tech outscored Colorado 55 - 48 in the second half with Nick Okorie scoring a career high 34 points. Tech shot 50.8% from the field and surprise, surprise; the Red Raiders outrebounded the Buffs 36 - 29 with 14 offensive rebounds.
Links after the jump...
PAC 10 TALK
Get to know the Pac-10 - Buffzone
A look at the schools of the Pac-10 conference
Woelk: If invitation sent, Buffs can`t turn down Pac-10 again - Buffzone
Finances wouldn`t be the only hurdle. CU would have to consider travel costs, time difference and scheduling issues, just to name a few. The list would be lengthy. But the overall benefits would far outweigh the negatives. Academically, athletically -- you name it -- the Pac-10 is a better fit for Colorado.
Conference conundrum - Buffzone
Moving to the Pac-10 would be expensive, but it could be worth the price for Colorado
BASKETBALL
Big 12 Conference Bracket - 2010
Buffs topple Texas Tech, set up rematch - The Denver Post
"We have to win that game on Wednesday," Higgins added. "(But) we have to stop somebody. We can't let them score 90 points again and expect we are going to score 100."
Woelk: Now, Buffs must avoid stumble in Tech rematch - Buffzone
After three consecutive seasons of at least 20 losses, the Buffs have by most accounts turned the corner. Picked to finish last in the Big 12, they instead finished eighth, with the seven teams ahead of them all likely ticketed for the NCAA Tournament. For the first time in four years, they have a shot at postseason play. For the first time in even longer, they have a foundation that doesn`t hinge on just one player.
Burks secures CU freshman mark - Buffzone
The 6-6 guard from Grandview, Mo., is now the leading freshman scorer in school history with 488 points. Burks passed Chauncey Billups (465 points, 2005-06) and Richard Roby (480, 2004-05) on the list Saturday. "To me, he should be the Freshman of the Year in the Big 12," Jeff Bzdelik said of his prize recruit. "That just says it all."
CU Buffs head into Big 12 tourney on high note - Buffzone
The Buffs (15-15, 6-10) have rallied down the stretch to get back to .500 and finish eighth in a conference that will likely send seven teams to the NCAA Tournament. Jeff Bzdelik`s team is in position for a possible postseason bid with another win next week at the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City.
Colorado, Texas Tech Notes - CUBuffs.com
CU is 6-10 in Big 12 Conference play and will be the No. 8 seed at the Big 12 Championships next Wednesday in Kansas City. The Buffaloes will play Texas Tech at 10:30 a.m. (MST) in the first round televised by Altitude Sports & Entertainment.
Buffs Rip Red Raiders In Home Finale, 101-90 - CUBuffs.com—Official Athletics Web site of the University of Colorado
Burks finished with 24 points - second on the Buffs to Cory Higgins' 30 - and became CU's all-time leading freshman scorer (488), surpassing Richard Roby (480). Marcus Relphorde chipped in 18, including a personal season-high 15 in the first half, and Levi Knutson came off the bench to add 11. Senior Dwight Thorne II, playing his final regular-season home game, hit eight points, collected five rebounds and dished out two assists. Burks, who also contributed nine rebounds, three assists and two steals, said breaking the freshman scoring record "means a lot. It means a great freshman performance, so it means a great deal to me to break that record."
FOOTBALL
Brooks: Kiesau's Goal Is To Keep It Simple - CUBuffs.com
Hirschman, a January enrollee, "has done a phenomenal job of fitting in," Kiesau said. "I've done this mid-year deal a couple of times at Cal, and I think he's handled it the best of all the guys I've seen. He doesn't have that big-eyed look, so I'm excited." He's also big (6-4, 220), "is not slow-footed and has a big arm," Kiesau added. But for now, the spring plan is not to rush Hirschman's development. Kiesau wants to see "how much offense he can grasp. He's had such a whirlwind here - new environment, new friends, college classrooms - so I don't say, 'Learn all this in 15 practices.' "With him, I want to go very, very slow. I don't want to freak him out, I don't want to shatter his confidence."
Battle for starts puts players on equal terms - The Denver Post
"They've told me I have to compete, but it's my job to lose," Hansen said. "Probably the key to going into the spring is to not throw picks (interceptions). I think I'm making strides toward gaining the leadership qualities to make this my team. One of my goals is to gain separation between me and the other guys. I want to be so good that they can't help but put me on the field."
Buffs plan to simplify offense - The Longmont Times-Call
Colorado offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau wants to simplify things this spring. How simple? "I almost feel like we don’t have enough in," Kiesau said. The Buffs started spring drills Saturday looking to improve an offense that finished last in yards and 10th in points last season in the Big 12. The Buffs averaged a league-low 2.8 yards a carry and allowed a league-most 44 sacks. In short, statistics show CU did little well. Now, CU is going to try to do a few things very well.
CU linebackers in need of new leader - Buffzone
Cabral said he believes Sipili is ready to shine in 2010 after a lot of ups and downs. Sipili drove home the point near the end of the first practice by intercepting a pass and returning it for a touchdown.
Spring football Big 12 breakdown
Buffs amp intensity as spring play gets rolling - The Longmont Times-Call