Alec Burks
GAME #17 vs. 13/12 Kansas State Wildcats (14-2, 1-1 Big 12)
• Date: Saturday, Jan. 16 • Tipoff : 2:01 p.m. (MST)
• Television: Big 12 Network (Altitude 2 Sports & Entertainment)
• Announcers: Chad McKee (p-b-p), Rich Zvosec (analyst)
• Location: Coors Events Center (11,064)
• CU Radio: KKZN 760-AM: Mark Johnson (p-b-p), Charles Johnson (analyst); Sirius Channel 127
• Series vs. K-State: K-State leads 95-44 (in Boulder, 31-32; at Kansas State, 10-53; Neutral, 3-10). Big 12 Conference: Series tied 14-14 (CU leads 8-5 in Boulder in Big 12 Play).
QUICKLY: Alec Burks is the only true freshman in the country to score in double digits every game this season. Kennesaw State's Markeith Cummings has scored in double digits in every game, but is a redshirt freshman. Cody Ellis of Saint Louis has also scored in double digits in all his games, but has only played in two games • CU is starting the conference season against three nationally ranked opponents - a school-first • CU is 9-0 at home matching the 1982-83 season for consecutive wins at home to start a season. The last 10 in a row start was the 1979-80 season (first year of the Events Center) • CU has never defeated ranked opponents in back-to-back games • The last time CU had a winning record (over .500) to begin and end conference play was 2005-06 (9-7) • CU is shooting 51.9 percent from the field after two games.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES: Alec Burks' last five games lead CU in 18.0 ppg., 6.6 rpg., .788 FT%, four blocks - all team highs. His .508 FG% (30-of-59) is second to Marcus Relphorde's 52.1 percent (30-of-59) • Nate Tomlinson led the team with six assists at Texas, the eighth time he has led CU in assists this season, and fifth time with six or more. He leads the team with 66 assists. Last year, he had 52 assists after 15 games • In two Big 12 games, Relphorde leads the team w/ 20.5 ppg., 6.0 rpg., 5 treys and second in FG% (.560) • After two games, Alec Burks (18.5 ppg., 6.0 rpg.) and Cory Higgins (16.5 ppg.) rank second and third behind Relphorde in scoring.
AGAINST THE WILDCATS: Since Big 12 play began in 1997, the series is tied at 14 between Kansas State and Colorado. In Boulder, the Buffs hold an 8-5 edge, however the Wildcats have won the last three at the Events Center and the last seven in a row dating back to Feb. 18, 2006.
KANSAS STATE UPDATE: The Wildcats enters today's matinee as the No. 13 (AP)/No. 12 ESPN Coaches' Poll ranked team. Currently, K-State is 14-2 overall and 1-1 in Big 12 play having lost at Missouri (74-68) and defeating Texas A&M at home (88-65). The other loss occurred at Puerto Rico to Mississippi (86-74) back on Nov. 20. Four players in double figures and third year head coach Frank Martin (57-26, .663) returns four starters from last season's NIT team (second round).
http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=3889&SPID=257&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=600&ATCLID=204869383
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The Kansas State players to watch today are senior guard Denis Clemente (19.8 ppg) and senior center Luis Colon (14.9 ppg). Junior forward Curtis Kelly (11.1 ppg) has also shown some scoring ability. KSU is a very experienced team (starts 2 seniors and 3 juniors, 4 of which are returning starters). KSU was the #1 ranked team in the RPI at one point in the season with some big early wins. CU may actually have a height advantage today as the KSU starting guards are 6'0" and 6'1", the starting forwards are 6'5" and 6'8", and their center is listed at 6'10". As always, the keys for CU will be winning the turnover battle, shooting a high percentage and holding our own on the boards (rebounding from our guards is big).
Great opportunity today to get a national headline win, which would be CU's 2nd straight over ranked opponents and also keep the Buffs perfect at Coors this year.
:gobuffs: