I couldn't resist. As one of my favorite bands, I just couldn't pass up a little magic in honor of Mister Jones committing to the Colorado Buffaloes yesterday, making the 2nd verbal of the 2010 recruiting cycle to go along with fellow in-state product, QB/Ath Danny Spond. I am scouring the internet for articles on Mister Jones and promise to get you more information on him soon. What we do know is that Jones has great potential in a similar mold (6'2" 205 pounds) as current Buff Darrell Scott. He has been slowed down in the past by a few nagging injuries but he has still shown greatness in his high school career. For example, the 265 yard output against Piedra Vista last year and 4 touchdowns. MaxPreps has some stats from last year that his him rushing for over 12 yards a clip, something I hope to verify in other sources but if that is the case, clearly he has some home-run talent. More to come on him.
Here is what the Daily Camera released on Jones:
Mister Jones, a 6-foot-2, 200 pound tailback from Littleton High School, has reportedly committed to Colorado. Scout.com reported Tuesday night that Jones, who also was being recruited by Nebraska, Kansas and Tennessee, gave CU his verbal commitment to sign a letter of intent next year. Jones is the second commitment to CU for this recruiting cycle. The Buffs also have a commitment from Columbine quarterback Danny Spond.
"History says Huskers should be favorites to win Big 12 North" by The Newell Post / LJWorld.com
The Lawrence Journal looks at what makes a good Big 12 team...a better offense or defense. They conclude history is not on the Kansas Jayhawks side this season and the Nebraska Cornhuskers should be the front runner (Nebraska ranked second in the Big 12 in total defense from a year ago behind only Texas. Overall Nebraska was 55th in that nation in 2009. The Buffs were fourth in the conference). Here is what he found:
So what has won the Big 12 North in the past? Has it been teams that have a better offense than defense, or teams that have a better defense than offense? History doesn’t look good if you’re a Kansas fan. In the 13 years of the Big 12, only twice has a North team advanced to the Big 12 championship with a higher-ranked offense than defense. The last time it happened was eight years ago (Colorado in 2001). Nebraska also accomplished the feat in 1997, but its defense was no slouch either, as the Huskers ranked first in offense and second in defense. On the flip side, eight times in the last 13 years the North representative in the Big 12 has had a better defense than offense. Not only that, the last seven North teams to reach the Big 12 championship have had a better defense than offense.
Thorburn: CU's Bzdelik optimistic, but rough Big 12 still a reality : Buffzone
Ryan Thorburn thinks the Buffs will certainly turn the corner this year based on what is coming back and the new additions but when he looks at the rest of the Big 12, he is not quite sure the Buffs can match the fire power of the teams around them.
So how can Bzdelik's team avoid drowning?
For starters, CU needs to establish a home-court advantage. Bzdelik is planning to host 10 non-conference games at the Coors Events Center and it would be a good idea to win at least nine of those.
The Longmont Times-Call - Patrick Ridgell
A lot of basketball links today, Ridgell notes that Jeff Bzdelik is very high on two newcomers so far: Marcus Relphorde and Alec Burks:
Bzdelik was more optimistic when discussing his incoming recruiting class. He compared guard Alex Burks to Richard Roby in how Burks can "create his own scoring opportunities. That's huge. You can't teach that." Bzdelik added that Burks is listed at 6-foot-4 on recruiting sites, but is now 6-6. "I told him to keep growing this summer," Bzdelik said. Marcus Relphorde, a junior college signee during the spring, will "make an immediate impact," Bzdelik said. The one from whom CU must have immediate help is Shane Harris-Tunks. Bzdelik said the 6-11 center is up to 237 pounds, and he rebounds and defends well. "He's very physical; that's his game," Bzdelik said. "That's a part of the game we were sorely missing last year."
No practice facility, no problem? | Under the Rim
Jeff Bzdelik keeps good perspective about the practice facility construction being halted due to the tough economic times.
"To be honest with you, basketball here at CU, from a facilities standpoint, has been neglected for many years and we knew that coming in. But we’ve made great strides," Bzdelik said during Tuesday’s Big 12 coaches teleconference with the media. "My attitude with the practice facility is this, and it starts with me as a leader, is we have to find a way to win with the people we have, as opposed to worrying about what we do or don’t have." "The practice facility is not going to happen for a while, but 75 full-time faculty and staff have lost their jobs at the university," Bzdelik noted. "That’s a lot of people and a lot of families. The practice facility, compared to 75 people losing their jobs, isn’t a concern and doesn’t bother me. We’re just going to have to find a place to play and to practice and so forth."
Scout.com: Packers sign last three picks - Brad Jones
Former Buff LB Brad Jones inked a deal with the Green Bay Packers yesterday. The details are not known yet but taken one pick after Jones was safety Curtis Taylor by San Francisco. Taylor received a four-year, $1.809 million deal with a $59,880 signing bonus. Congratulations to Brad on the signing.
Terrence Wheatley Doing Some Good Things at Patriots Camp
Speaking of former Buffs, CB Tyrone Wheatley has come up a few times in the New England mini-camp reviews.
Terrence Wheatley had a solid workout, finding his way to the ball on a couple different occasions. The second-year former second-round pick had an interception in one team drill that may have ended in a pick-six score in game action. Later in the workout he had great positioning on a deep ball and probably should have hauled in another pick but at least battle for the ball and knocked it away.
Finally, you knew it was coming so here you go...