The Buffs are an average basketball team right now, according to Colorado's top hoops professor.
Through 10 games, Jeff Bzdelik gives his team "a solid B" offensively and a D on the other end of the court.
"And D doesn't stand for defense," the head coach quipped.
"People are probably sick of me saying this, and I'msick of saying it, but we`ve only taken eight charges in 10 games," Bzdelik said. "We just lack grit defensively."
Entering Monday`s action, CU ranked 11th in scoring defense (70.2 ppg), last in field goal percentage defense (.439) and last in rebounding (30.7 rpg) in the Big 12.
Cory Higgins, CU`s best all-around player, believes more of his teammates will be willing to do whatever it takes to improve their defensive grades now that final exams are over and the focus is on basketball.
"It just has to come within. It has to be something you want to do," Higgins said. "I think most guys have turned that corner because we want to stop losing these close games."
TODAY'S GAME: Colorado plays Cal State Northridge at 5:37 p.m. at the Coors Events Center.
BROADCAST: Television: FSN with Drew Goodman (play-by-play), Ceal Barry (color) and Alanna Rizzo (sideline); Radio: KKZN (760 AM) with Mark Johnson (play-by-play) and Charles Johnson (color).
STORYLINES: The Buffs (6-4) haven`t played since a humbling 77-62 loss at Colorado State on Dec. 10. ... Alec Burks scored 22 points on 9-for-14 shooting against the Rams. CU`s other players were a combined 10-for-37 shooting with 40 points. ... The Matadors (4-6) are the defending Big West champions and are coming off an appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season. ... Cal State Northridge is 0-4 on the road while CU is 5-0 at home this season.
http://www.buffzone.com/ci_14046612
Through 10 games, Jeff Bzdelik gives his team "a solid B" offensively and a D on the other end of the court.
"And D doesn't stand for defense," the head coach quipped.
"People are probably sick of me saying this, and I'msick of saying it, but we`ve only taken eight charges in 10 games," Bzdelik said. "We just lack grit defensively."
Entering Monday`s action, CU ranked 11th in scoring defense (70.2 ppg), last in field goal percentage defense (.439) and last in rebounding (30.7 rpg) in the Big 12.
Cory Higgins, CU`s best all-around player, believes more of his teammates will be willing to do whatever it takes to improve their defensive grades now that final exams are over and the focus is on basketball.
"It just has to come within. It has to be something you want to do," Higgins said. "I think most guys have turned that corner because we want to stop losing these close games."
TODAY'S GAME: Colorado plays Cal State Northridge at 5:37 p.m. at the Coors Events Center.
BROADCAST: Television: FSN with Drew Goodman (play-by-play), Ceal Barry (color) and Alanna Rizzo (sideline); Radio: KKZN (760 AM) with Mark Johnson (play-by-play) and Charles Johnson (color).
STORYLINES: The Buffs (6-4) haven`t played since a humbling 77-62 loss at Colorado State on Dec. 10. ... Alec Burks scored 22 points on 9-for-14 shooting against the Rams. CU`s other players were a combined 10-for-37 shooting with 40 points. ... The Matadors (4-6) are the defending Big West champions and are coming off an appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season. ... Cal State Northridge is 0-4 on the road while CU is 5-0 at home this season.
http://www.buffzone.com/ci_14046612
